Demolition of Central El Paso Lincoln Center delayed by court order

City of El Paso restraining order against Lincoln Center demolition. Click on the image for a larger version. (Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Times)

Photos: Lincoln Center demolition standoff View city of El Paso's restraining order against Lincoln Center demolition View city of El Paso's petition against demolition

El Paso and community activists have claimed another small victory in the fight to stop the demolition of the Lincoln Center.

Texas Department of Transportation officials agreed to remove all equipment from the center after city officials successfully obtained a temporary restraining order.

"Representatives from TxDOT went into the building and have agreed that they will remove their ladders and the tractors that they brought and will cease any work from moving forward," city Rep. Lily Limn said. "This is a victory. It may be a very small victory, but it is a victory."

The temporary restraining order was granted Wednesday after the El Paso City Council held a special emergency meeting to discuss efforts to save the center. The council voted 5-0 during the special meeting on Tuesday night to seek the temporary restraining order.

The Lincoln Center, 4001 Durazno, is more than 100 years old and was the first school for minorities. The center may be demolished as part of a TxDOT project to build a bridge to connect Interstate 10 to U.S. 54 and the Csar Chvez Border Highway.

In a statement, TxDOT officials said they have agreed to stop any work on the center until a court hearing. According to court records, a hearing on the temporary restraining order has been set for Thursday.

"TxDOT is suspending all actions in the initial phase of the demolition of the Lincoln Center," officials said in a statement. "While the condition and location of the building remain a concern for TxDOT, our contractor has ceased operations while the courts consider the matter."

Before TxDOT officials arrived, Manny Madrid, operations manager for JMR Demolition company, refused to move the equipment from the center until lawyers from TxDOT examined the restraining order. JMR is a subcontractor hired to remove asbestos and whatever is inside the building.

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Demolition of Central El Paso Lincoln Center delayed by court order