June 15, 2018 • Local News
El Paso Times: El Paso City Council OKs incentives to land iFLY skydiving facility on West Side
Indoor skydiving is coming to West El Paso in 2019.
The City Council on Tuesday voted 5-2 to approve incentives with Flyzone LLC to land the facility.
City Reps. Michiel Noe and Alexsandra Annello voted against it. City Rep. Peter Svarzbein was not present for the vote.
Noe said he was not going to support the incentives because the company would have eventually opened a location in El Paso.
"They would come here with or without incentives; this would just get them here faster," Noe said. "On this one, I'm going to have to vote no."
Other city representatives were looking forward to the new facility.
"I’m really excited about this organization coming to El Paso," said city Rep. Cassandra Hernandez. She added that she thinks the new attraction will help keep young people in the city.
The council approved the $162,863 incentive agreement with Flyzone LLC for a $12 million indoor skydiving entertainment facility that will be located in the Montecillo area, at 430 Rambla Drive.
The city's Economic Development Department incentive package includes $110,863 in tax rebates, $42,000 in construction material sales tax rebates and a $10,000 permit fee rebate. The company qualified for incentives because it is considered a destination retailer, officials said.
City officials estimate the new business will bring about 25 full-time jobs.
The 4,967-square-foot facility, known as iFLY, will add to entertainment venues in Montecillo that include Topgolf and Alamo Drafthouse, as well as restaurants and cafes.
According to the company's website, iFLY makes the dream of flight a reality by giving its customers “wings” in a safe and reliable environment. The simulation of skydiving is created within a vertical wind tunnel that moves air in a vertical column at speeds high enough to keep a person safely floating, according to the site.
The company has 37 locations around the world. Prices start at about $70 for first-time flyers at other Texas locations, according to the company website.
City officials estimate that area taxing entities, including El Paso County and the El Paso Independent School District, will see a property tax inflow of about $660,000 over the three-year term of the incentive agreement.
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/local/2018/06/12/el-paso-city-council-approves-incentives-indoor-skydiving-facility/695265002/
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