HispanicBusiness

"We'll put our heads together and see what's appropriate to do," Aleshire said.

Cook said he was confident that the city's staff had adequately vetted the legal and financial aspects of the deal.

City Rep. Eddie Holguin, who opposed the project because he thought voters should have considered it along with other quality-of-life projects on the Nov. 6 ballot, said he wasn't surprised that Cook hadn't vetoed the stadium.

"It's a shame that he decided to side with special interests," Holguin said. "At the end of the day, the only people who lost are the citizens of El Paso. It's a shame they aren't given an opportunity to vote on it."

Holguin said he encourages opponents to express their frustration with the "council's arrogance" through public demonstrations.

"This council has lost touch with this community," Holguin said. "They've lost touch with reality, with what they're supposed to be doing in representing the citizens of El Paso. They're going to shove things down the throats of citizens."

City Rep. Ann Morgan Lilly, who supports the project, called Hol guin's comments divisive.

Lilly said she is concerned with opponents' possible lawsuit demanding a vote.

"I'm concerned, and of course I wish they wouldn't," Lilly said. "I don't think it would be a good thing for El Paso."

City Rep. Cortney Niland, a ballpark supporter whose district includes Downtown, said she was "elated" that the council decision would stand.

"I was always very hopeful that everyone would see the value this project could bring to our community," Niland said. "I feel like the mayor. This is an economic development project we hope to be a catalyst to spark redevelopment in Downtown. It has a real potential for changing the face of Downtown."

Opponents cited economic analyses that questioned the value of stadium deals in other cities. They also asked whether the El Paso project amounted to a taxpayer giveaway to some of the city's richest people.

But supporters have cited hefty community investments by Foster and Hunt -- and MountainStar's pledge to give any baseball profits to local charities -- as proof of the group's good faith.

Josh Hunt, Woody Hunt's son and a member of MounstainStar, did not respond to a call Thursday.

Cook said that he received calls and emails about his possible veto that "were too numerous to count." He said that they were evenly split between supporters and opponents.

"In the long run, I think I made a decision that I think is best for El Paso," he said after announcing his decision on Thursday.

As he weighed the veto, Cook was worried that voter anger over the stadium project would endanger a $473 million quality-of-life bond package that is on the November ballot. MountainStar and other stadium supporters have pledged to work to support the bonds between now and the election, Cook said.

Marty Schladen may be reached at mschladen@elpasotimes.com; 546-6127.

Hayley Kappes may be reached at hkappes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6168.

Next steps in ballpark process On Tuesday the City Council will approve the following actions: -- Lease between the city of El Paso and MountainStar Sports Group LLC. -- Development agreement that outlines the plan-process that will take place to construct the ballpark. -- Non-relocation agreement that clarifies that the team will not relocate for 25 years after the start of the first season. -- Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 017850 for the purpose of clarifying the ballot language regarding the Venue Project and Hotel Occupancy Tax Proposition. -- Ordinance amending homestead exemption. -- Resolution that authorizes the use of construction manager-at-risk method for construction of the ballpark. A construction manager-at-risk allows the city, construction manager and architect-engineer to work as a unified team to expedite construction schedules when established as the method that will produce the best value for a selected city project. -- Construction Manager-At-Risk Procurement Policy.

Moving City Hall

-- Finalize contract of purchase two buildings and one parking area: 801/811 Texas; 300 N. Campbell; Parking lot -- has two addresses because it is actually two parcels: 401 Mills and 400 E. Main. -- Start work on design architect contract so moving project can be put to bid. -- Request bids by October. -- Create demolition package for existing City Hall.

Closer look: Bond proposition

The quality-of-life bond proposition is split into two categories, which are related but independent of each other on the ballot. They are:

-- The sale of $245 million in general obligation bonds, which would be used to improve and build new parks and open spaces and enhance the zoo, as well as construct new soccer fields, aquatic centers, and recreation, senior and community centers across the city. -- The sale of $228.25 million in general obligation bonds, which would be used to improve museums and libraries, including the construction of a new children's museum, a cultural heritage center, and an interactive digital wall. -- The increase to the hotel occupancy tax is the second proposition that will go to voters. The increase in the tax is for the city "to provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction and financing of a baseball stadium." The hotel tax increase would be used to pay for most of the ballpark's construction.