From this vantage point in front of the Hilton Camino Real one has the experience of viewing four buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. (There are 15 separate listings in the immediate area of downtown El Paso.)

The large building to the right, the Plaza Hotel, 106 Mills, is the first Hilton Hotel that was built from the ground up by Conrad Hilton. This great building, designed by architect Henry Trost, is not currently being used but the owners are planning its redevelopment in the near future.

Across the street from the Plaza Hotel rest another Trost creation, the Mills Building, (with the dark brown colored façade). This building is the first monolithic type structure in the northern hemisphere.

Next to the Mills is the Centre Building, formerly the White House Department Store which was an icon for downtown El Paso. This building, also a Henry C. Trost creation, now contains the El Paso World Trade Center and a local utility company, El Paso Electric. The building is six stories high and is beautifully remodeled inside.

For more information on downtown walking guide for El Paso and Juarez are available at the Hilton Camino Real, the Convention and visitors center as well as the office of the Central Business Association.

Security

The Security objective for the Downtown Management District is to enhance crime prevention work in downtown, through community organization, for better security and security personnel. The Police Department may need additional equipment that the District can purchase. The District may elect to acquire security equipment for downtown safety as well as coordinate private security efforts with the El Paso Police Department. The District can also assist the Police Department with initiation of a Downtown Business Watch Program.

The security initiative for the District is concentrating on the following:

(a) Business Watch Program.
(b) Ambassador Program.
(c) Homeless Issues.
(d) Reference guide for law enforcement to leverage effectiveness of city staffers.

Security Roundtable Committee

The Downtown Management District has established the Security Roundtable committee to network and share information to ensure streets are safe for employees, businesses and visitors. The committee is chaired by a Vice President of the DMD and consists of representatives from the El Paso Police Department, Convention Center, Federal Reserve, El Paso Police Department, District Attorney's Office, local banks, Insights Museum, private property owners and businesses. The committee actively works on issues involving public safety by:

1) Networking with downtown businesses and public entities, sharing information about crime trends and safety recommendations.

2) Providing free, comprehensive training seminars to public and private employers.

3) Developing programs such as the Downtown Friendly Program which e-mails and Faxes property owners information on Sanitation and Security Issues about their properties.

4) Currently developing an Events Coordination Program that compiles information on events occurring downtown on a schedule that is sent to public safety entities, event holders and parking operators.

5) Continuation of the Ambassador Program with a security, tourism and parking focus.

6) Code enforcement manual for use by law enforcement officers.

7) Downtown Construction Projects Updates and Map that are posted on the Central Business Association's Website; www.elpasodowntownshopping.com.

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