Page 24 - El Paso Scene

Sunset Heights
Cont’d from Page 23
of El Paso’s civic leaders, and the spot
where Mesa Gardens, a popular gathering
place, was located,” Diaz said. “The neighborhood has a lot of character. And though
it is changing demographically, its historic
and pleasant integrity has been maintained
for the most part.”
One of the focuses of Sunset Heights
Neighborhood Improvement Association is
encouraging its residents to support each
other and help each other when in need.
Sito Negron, the association president,
said the residents range from “white collar
professionals to blue collar workers, from
students to professors, from legacy homeowners to new families moving back to the
core of the city instead of choosing a suburban life.”
These residents all share this unique
“island” of about 3,000 homes bordered by
UTEP, Downtown and eventually the
restored trolleys that will travel through
Sunset Heights by late 2018.
“We can walk from the university and to
the Downtown cultural and recreational
center of the 3 million person region,”
Negron explained. “The topography also is
special, as this was the first neighborhood
built upon the golden rocks that form the
foothills of the Franklins. ”
All this, he said is in addition to the historic architecture, particularly the Trost
buildings, and the views of the river valley
and Downtown.
“(There is also the) the vibrancy the mix
of residents brings, with events like the
Page 24
Tour of Homes and the Block Party and
various ‘pop-up’ events from what is probably the highest concentration of artists musicians, performers, writers, visual
workers - in the region,” Negron said.
“Probably our biggest challenge is managing the interest the neighborhood draws
because of these great qualities in a way
that maintains the diversity of incomes,
interests and outlooks.”
Negron said the association is always
welcoming people to support not only their
events and causes, but to become part of
the neighborhood.
“We welcome new neighbors, and strongly encourage people to look at living not
only in Sunset Heights but also other legacy neighborhoods in the city,” he said.
The association shows how area residents
can work together, to bring El Paso a better future, he said, which includes keeping
its historic neighborhoods unique and
thriving.
“There are dozens of neighborhoods that
circle Downtown as part of the original
urban core of the city, and it’s in our
region’s interests to make sure that our
massive investment in heavy infrastructure
- roads, water, schools, to name a few that supports growth at the edges of the
region does not suck all the energy out of
our center,” Negron said.
Area resident and artist Hal Marcus said
the association and residents work to make
sure the unique appeal and culture of
Sunset Heights by being active in city government and monitoring any development,
zoning or other issues that might impact
Sunset Heights. One particular concern, he
said, is keeping the cost of living for all
Sunset Heights Block Party
Also in October is the annual Block
Party along the 500 block of Prospect
and around Mundy Park, one of three
parks in Sunset Heights. The 9th annual
party is noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct.
29, with several local bands, art vendors
and food trucks.
Admission is free. Information: 9961880 or
thesunsetheightsblockparty@gmail.com.
Area resident Hal Marcus said the
block party is geared towards the 20and 30-something crowd as a wonderful
way for the younger generations to celebrate the neighborhood’s uniqueness.
“Young people have an opportunity to
hear some live music, and get together,”
he said.
Marcus said music has always been a
part of Sunset Heights. The McGinty
Club, who often played in a socializing
area known as Mesa Gardens that had
everything from a shooting gallery to a
zoological garden, is famous for their
their residents reasonable.
“We don’t want to see the rent go up too
much in the neighborhood,” he said, noting
that part of the neighborhood’s appeal is
that artists and students can find affordable
housing there.
The Home Tour and Block Party are two
of the most visible and successful events in
the area, but over the years there have been
everything from a murder mystery event in
El Paso Scene
“making it rain” with their music in
1891, he explained.
During an extended drought, the government led rainmaking experiments that
included shooting small aerial bombs in
the clouds had failed. The McGinty Club
invited these scientists to a party on
Mundy Hill, and put on a would-be rain
dance before performing. A downpour
soon followed … which turned out to be
an elaborate prank.
Marcus said the Sunset Heights Block
Party still feels very, “neighbor-ish,” a
gathering rather than a spectacle.
“The main thing is to keep the integrity
of the neighborhood as it has always
been,” he said.
Non-residents are invited to attend, but
are asked to park outside the neighborhood and walk to the event. No glass
containers, outside alcohol, grills, chairs
or coolers are allowed.
Guests are encouraged to “ride your
bike to the party,” “dress like a loon,”
“make friends,” and “bring your pets (on
leashes),” according to Block Party
announcements on social media.
the historic “Kohlberg Mansion” to
Christmas tours.
Even when people visit the area just in
passing, Marcus added, it is hard not be
aware of the neighborhood’s charm.
“People need to remember this is one of
the first planned communities in the country,” he said. “Anyone who has been here
will really feel they are in the midst of
something very special.”
October 2016