Mills Plaza Promenade Moving Forward

Planting Plan for Mills Plaza Promenade.

The project to create a pedestrian-only promenade between the Mills/Centre Buildings and the Plaza Hotel is moving forward. The Mills Plaza Promenade with span a 350 foot distance of Mills Avenue from Oregon Street to El Paso Street in front of the Plaza Theater.

An application with the City's Historic Landmark Commission shows the paving, planting, lighting, and furnishing plan for the area, and must be approved by the board in order for construction to begin. Water features will travel through the promenade in canal-type structures that meander through the pedestrian walkways. Concept images of wayfinding kiosks are also included in the application.

SWA, a landscape/architecture firm based in San Francisco, was hired by Paul Foster's Mills Plaza Properties to create the design with community input. Mills Plaza consists of the Mills Building, the Centre Building, the Plaza Hotel, and two parking structures just north of the Mills. The Blue Flame Building is also part of Mills Plaza portfolio.

The right of way is actually owned by the City, which will head the construction phase. The promenade will link the Mills/San Jacinto Plaza area to the Plaza Theater and Museum of Art. A new path being developed on the northern edge of the adjacent Convention Center will help connect the arts district to the Union Plaza area to the west and should help encourage walkability.

No timeline has been given for the Mills Plaza Promenade project.

Historic Landmark Commission item: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/development_services/preview_mtng.asp?meetingid=1749

Related: San Jacinto Revamp Moves Into Final Design Phase