El Paso City Council greenlights plan for 12,500-seat amphitheater in Northeast El Paso

Adam Powell, El Paso Times
·3 min read

A Sunset Amphitheater is headed to Northeast El Paso following a vote by the El Paso City Council.

The City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday, April 23, to greenlight a public-private partnership between the city and Notes Live, a Colorado Springs-based hospitality and entertainment company with venues in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Tennessee.

With East-Valley city Rep. Isabel Salcido not in attendance, East-Central city Rep. Cassandra Hernandez — currently a mayoral candidate — stood as the lone voice of opposition to the plan.

"I am excited about Notes Live choosing El Paso for their outdoor amphitheater," Hernandez wrote in a text message shortly after the City Council's vote. "This investment reflects the growth and progress in our city, providing much-needed entertainment options for El Pasoans."

The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026.
The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026.

"However, in exchange for the $30.6 million incentive package, which includes city-owned land and economic development funds, I pushed for a greater return of amphitheater usage, employment wages, and revenues to benefit the taxpayer," she continued. "My vote underscores my dedication to ensuring that the El Paso taxpayer sees a significant return on the city's investment."

The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026 and will generate an economic impact of roughly $5.4 billion over the next 20 years, representatives from the city Economic Development Department said.

(Left to right) El Paso city Reps. Art Fierro, Chris Canales, Josh Acevedo and Henry Rivera, alongside Interim City Manager Carey Westin, listen as Mayor Oscar Leeser discusses plans for the new Sunset Amphitheater during a news conference Tuesday, Aoril 23, 2024.
(Left to right) El Paso city Reps. Art Fierro, Chris Canales, Josh Acevedo and Henry Rivera, alongside Interim City Manager Carey Westin, listen as Mayor Oscar Leeser discusses plans for the new Sunset Amphitheater during a news conference Tuesday, Aoril 23, 2024.

"It's really an incredible project for our community," said Mayor Oscar Leeser during the City Council meeting.

"It is a great day for Northeast El Paso," said Northeast city Rep. Joe Molinar, whose district will house the new amphitheater, "but even a better day for the city of El Paso and all of its citizens."

While Leeser insisted that the planned $80 million amphitheater is separate from any plans to construct the voter-approved Multipurpose Cultural and Performing Arts Center in Downtown El Paso, the MPC project is likely destined for the chopping block as the city moves its entertainment plans east.

The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026.
The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026.

What's in deal between city and Notes Live?

To bring the new Notes Live amphitheater to El Paso, the city agreed to a number of incentives which, all totaled, come out to nearly $31 million.

Along with providing the company with roughly 50 acres where the Cohen Stadium once sat, the company will receive rebates via Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 11 on real and business personal property taxes, sales and use taxes and mixed beverage taxes.

Notes Live CEO J.W. Roth (right) listens as city Rep. Joe Molinar discusses the new Sunset Amphitheater, which will be constructed in his Northeast El Paso district, during a news conference Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Notes Live CEO J.W. Roth (right) listens as city Rep. Joe Molinar discusses the new Sunset Amphitheater, which will be constructed in his Northeast El Paso district, during a news conference Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

In exchange, Notes Live committed to hosting at least 40 national touring acts yearly and a minimum investment of $80 million.

What amenities will amphitheater feature?

Along with seating for 12,500 spectators, the new Sunset Amphitheater is expected to feature a number of additional amenities that will set it apart from other amphitheaters.

On one hand, the entire venue will be covered and include hydro-chill grass and air conditioning that will keep the temperature in the outdoor space between 70 and 80 degrees all year long. The venue will also feature an Owner's Club with around 150 luxury firepit areas.

The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026.
The 12,500-seat amphitheater, to be constructed on the site of the old Cohen Stadium, is expected to open its doors by March 2026.

Additionally, the amphitheater is expected to support 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

"I couldn't be more excited to build an amphitheater in such a vibrant, multicultural city as El Paso," said J.W. Roth, Founder and CEO of Notes Live, in a statement. "The Sunset is going to bring the biggest acts from both the US and Mexican markets to its stage, and it's going to do so with comfort, style, and flair beyond imagination."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New Sunset Amphitheater set to open in Northeast El Paso March 2026