Hunt Foundation Gift Advances El Paso Deck Plaza Park
Downtown business owners should prepare for shifting traffic patterns as the 6.5-acre infrastructure project moves forward.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation has announced a financial gift to support the construction of the Downtown Deck Plaza in El Paso. This 6.5-acre multi-purpose park will be built over Interstate 10, serving as a new public-private infrastructure initiative for the downtown area.
Why it matters
The project represents a shift in downtown urban development, as public and private partners collaborate to repurpose air rights over major transit corridors into usable space. For business owners, the park is intended to act as a new anchor destination within the city core.
The planned Deck Plaza covers 6.5 acres of land atop Interstate 10 in downtown El Paso. While the scope of the project is established, the exact financial value of the Hunt Family Foundation gift remains undisclosed.
The players
Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation
A philanthropic organization that supports regional economic and infrastructure development projects in the borderland area.
Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation
The nonprofit entity responsible for overseeing the development and construction of the downtown park project.
The details
The Downtown Deck Plaza project utilizes air rights over Interstate 10 to create a multi-purpose urban park. The initiative relies on a combination of public and private sector investment to transform the transit corridor into a central city amenity designed to increase downtown foot traffic.
Timeline
The gift announcement event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on October 20, 2026.
Market Landscape
The Downtown Deck Plaza follows a national trend of urban re-stitching that seeks to reclaim land severed by the Interstate Highway Act. This effort aligns with similar initiatives in other U.S. cities to turn highway-capped air rights into high-value public spaces.
Business operators in the downtown core should monitor the construction timeline, as the 6.5-acre park is intended to fundamentally alter pedestrian traffic patterns. Long-term commercial planning should account for increased activity near the Interstate 10 corridor once the site opens.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects like the Deck Plaza often act as catalysts for property value shifts and commercial zoning changes in their immediate vicinity. Business owners should review the city's long-term master plan for downtown to identify specific development incentives.
Further reading
For more on how local foundations are shaping urban infrastructure, explore our coverage in Philanthropy.
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Do you support using private foundation gifts to fund large-scale urban park projects in your area?
