El Paso Times print building for sale to city of El Paso
The City Council will vote Tuesday whether to approve the city's purchase of the El Paso Times printing press building for $3.6 million, according to a council agenda posted Thursday.
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Printing press operations ceased Monday as print operations were sent across the border to Juárez.
Laura Cruz-Acosta, spokesperson for the city of El Paso, said if City Council approves the sale, the property would "serve a significant public purpose" and centralize more services and offices to one physical location.
Cruz-Acosta said the city and Gannett, the Times' parent company, discussed the proposed sale of the building in June.
After being informed by Gannett, the Times announced on Sept. 10 that the paper's printing and packaging operations would be moved to Paso del Norte Publishing in Juárez.
“Like many businesses, our office space needs have shifted significantly, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an evolution in how we work," a Gannett spokesperson said. "The El Paso Times remains firmly committed to serving our readers and advertisers, as the community’s preeminent source of news and information.”
El Paso production employees are receiving help with searching for new jobs, a Sept. 10 Times article read.
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The press building, located at 501 Mills Ave., is next door to the current City Hall.
In 2012, the city purchased the then-El Paso Times building for its new City Hall, demolishing the former City Hall to make room for a Triple-A baseball stadium, now known as Southwest University Park. The transaction cost more than $9 million. In 2012, the value of the building and lot were $10.3 million, according to a Times report.
Anthony Jackson may be reached at ADJackson@elpasotimes.com and @TonyAnjackson on Twitter.