El Paso City Council advances early Convention Center expansion plan

El Paso is one step closer to a planned expansion of the El Paso Convention Center.

The City Council approved the purchase of three Downtown properties with a 6-1 vote during its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 4. The lone vote of opposition came from city Rep. Lily Limón, who expressed concern over the price being paid for the properties.

The city will pay nearly $3.2 million for 311 West Overland Ave., 315 West Overland Ave. and a nearby parcel on West San Antonio Avenue.

Initiated by former Mayor Oscar Leeser, the proposed Convention Center expansion has been part of the city's Strategic Plan since 2019 and was a key point of discussion during City Council's Strategic Planning sessions last year.

Approval of the latest purchases follows a similar acquisition earlier this year when the City