Southwest University Park

OWNER

City of El Paso

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Construction Cost
$72 million

Completion Date
April 2014

Project Size
9,500 seats

LEED Status
1st LEED Gold® Minor League U.S. Ballpark

Southwest University Park

El Paso
Texas

The ballpark, located on the previous city hall site, features architecturally exposed structural steel, which creates a classic feel for the fans. The concourse trusses and columns are made from laced steel much like the trusses found in jewel box ballparks of the early 1900’s. Walter P Moore worked with the designer to sculpt the concourse trusses so they incorporated the curved geometry, inspired by the nearby 1906 Daniel Burnham train depot, but perform in a structurally efficient manner.

Located in the heart of the city, site constraints created the need for an asymmetrical bowl that enhances the “vintage” feel of the stadium. Walter P Moore responded to the challenge by implementing the use of additional structural transfers, sloping conditions, and accelerator stairs. Additionally a portion of the first base side of the stadium cantilevers over the adjacent Bataan Memorial Trainway – a three track train corridor adjacent to the park, but depressed 25’ below field level. The adjacency of the trainway required extensive foundation coordination with the railroad and an existing retaining wall built in 1940. Walter P Moore also designed two pedestrian plazas that span over the trainway and connect the ballpark to the existing convention center.

Construction began immediately following the implosion of city hall and was completed in spring of 2014, approximately 15 months from the kickoff of structural design. In order to accommodate this aggressive schedule, structural drawings were issued in advance packages to facilitate the start of construction during design.

The structural design team created a fully connected, fabrication-ready, steel detailing model. Not only did this shorten the steel procurement time, it also allowed the team to coordinate the aesthetic aspects of the exposed structure.