Commission approves special permit to convert former Bonham Elementary into Central Regional Command Center

The City Plan Commission on April 9 approved a special-permit and site development plan to convert the former Bonham Elementary School at 7024 Vista Drive into the City of El Paso Central Regional Command Center.

Blanca Perez of Planning and Inspections presented the special-permit request, saying the site is approximately 13.23 acres and that proposed improvements would retain two existing buildings and add work to produce roughly 46,678 square feet of developed space, 133 parking spaces and six bicycle stalls. Public access is proposed from Catalina Way with fleet and staff access from Belrose Drive and Edgeir Boulevard. Perez reported neighborhood outreach (SEO Vista Neighborhood Association met with the applicant Jan. 15, 2026) and said notices were mailed March 27, 2026; staff had received three calls of inquiry and two calls of support.

Commissioners inquired whether the facility was for police or fire; Perez and staff clarified the site will operate as a central police regional command hub. The applicant is the city; Daniel Kario of the Capital Improvement Department described parking and access plans and said there are currently no plans to widen Carolina Way: "We are proposing a parking lot for the patrols... but no plans on widening that street for now," Kario said. Commissioners and participants raised concerns that restricting street parking or using on-site land for ponding could shift parking burdens to nearby businesses; staff responded that the proposed parking exceeds code minimums and said consultants will be asked to explore options to mitigate traffic impacts.

After public comment was closed, the commission moved, seconded and approved the special permit and site development plan. The commission noted the site had been sold to the city by the El Paso Independent School District and staff emphasized the proposal had neighborhood outreach and limited recorded support in initial contacts.