Featured, from left: Sonia Marroquín, Assistant City Manager for Edinburg, Sofia Hernández, Vice President for Governmental Affairs, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, and Mayor Richard García, gather at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance for the mayor’s welcome of Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, January 22, as part of a legislative tour organized by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.
Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR
Construction activities in Edinburg for 2014, not counting the ongoing and approved building of new facilities at The University of Texas-Pan American, was valued at more than $120.5 million, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced. The EEDC is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council. That figure, which is based on the value of work listed in the required building permits issued by the city’s Code Enforcement Department, kept pace with construction activities in the city during 2013, which totaled more than $123 million. Both years’ separate totals are the highest in the city’s history, and do not include the value of three new major facilities and their furnishings and equipment at The University of Texas-Pan American, worth almost $140 million, which were approved for construction during the past two years by The UT System Board of Regents. If it did, total construction activities during the past two years in Edinburg would approach $376 million. Mayor García, who also serves as President of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, said additional significant construction projects are set to begin in 2015, notably the $55 million, 115,799 square-foot, 8,500-seat special events arena which will host major gatherings, such as concerts and conventions, as well as serve as the home for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the professional basketball team which is part of the NBA’s Houston Rockets organization. With the City of Edinburg, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, and RGV Vipers in the final stages of the financing agreement that will lead to the construction of the arena, an announcement is expected soon on the groundbreaking date for the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex, to be built on a 40-acre site at the corner of Interstate 69 Central and Alberta Road in southeast Edinburg. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Edinburg and the EEDC to improve the quality of life for residents without having to pay a single penny up front or take any from other projects,” the mayor emphasized. “This is definitely an achievement for our residents. An economic study conducted by The University of Texas-Pan American predicts a $45 million economic increase annually within the arena area, and $1.3 billion in economic benefits over the next 30 years in that region of our community.” Agustín “Gus” García (no relation to the mayor), Executive Director for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, said the EEDC and the City of Edinburg are also actively involved in the ongoing 140-day regular session of the Texas Legislature, which continues through the end of May, in promoting key measures that will help the city’s economic growth. “We have a full legislative agenda that seeks to improve the quality of life for all our citizens, from increased state funding for health care and education, to improvements to our state highway system and more growth at UT-RGV and its School of Medicine in Edinburg,” the EEDC Executive Director noted. One of the biggest construction projects involves the proposed construction of a $50 million, 124,3o4 square-foot Interdisciplinary Engineering and Academic Studies Building at the Edinburg campus of The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. That proposed state funding, being requested by the UT System Board of Regents, is included in Senate Bill 21, authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.
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Total construction in Edinburg for 2014, not counting new facilities at UT-Pan American, valued at $120.5 million
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Construction activities in Edinburg for 2014, not counting the ongoing and approved building of new facilities at The University of Texas-Pan American, was valued at more than $120.5 million, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced.
The EEDC is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council.
That figure, which is based on the value of work listed in the required building permits issued by the city’s Code Enforcement Department, kept pace with construction activities in the city during 2013, which totaled more than $123 million.
Both years’ separate totals are the highest in the city’s history, and do not include the value of three new major facilities and their furnishings and equipment at The University of Texas-Pan American, worth almost $140 million, which were approved for construction during the past two years by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.
If it did, total construction activities during the past two years in Edinburg would approach $376 million.
UT-Pan American, which will be renamed The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley next August, is a state entity, so the city does not issue building permits or include the value of any construction at the university campus in the data put together by Edinburg’s Code Enforcement Department.
In general, a building permit is legal permission given by the City of Edinburg to erect, construct, renovate, maintain, or conduct any other specified activity on any building or structure, or on any installations or facilities therein. The term “building permit” includes but is not limited to building permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, and plumbing permits.
The building permit includes the estimated value of the work, but does not include the price of the land, or furnishings or equipment in the facility.
$55 MILLION EDINBURG ARENA GROUNDBREAKING IS UPCOMING
Mayor Richard García, who also serves as President of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, said additional significant construction projects are set to begin in 2015, notably the $55 million, 115,799 square-foot, 8,500-seat special events arena which will host major gatherings, such as concerts and conventions, as well as serve as the home for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the professional basketball team which is part of the NBA’s Houston Rockets organization.
With the City of Edinburg, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, and RGV Vipers in the final stages of the financing agreement that will lead to the construction of the arena, an announcement is expected soon on the groundbreaking date for the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex, which will be built on a 40-acre site at the corner of Interstate 69 Central and Alberta Road in southeast Edinburg.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Edinburg and the EEDC to improve the quality of life for residents without having to pay a single penny up front or take any from other projects,” the mayor emphasized. “This is definitely an achievement for our residents. An economic study conducted by The University of Texas-Pan American predicts a $45 million economic increase annually within the arena area, and $1.3 billion in economic benefits over the next 30 years in that region of our community.”
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA INCLUDES $50 MILLION UT-RGV FACILITY
Agustín “Gus” García (no relation to the mayor), Executive Director for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, said the EEDC and the City of Edinburg are also actively involved in the ongoing 140-day regular session of the Texas Legislature, which continues through the end of May, in promoting key measures that will help the city’s economic growth.
“We have a full legislative agenda that seeks to improve the quality of life for all our citizens, from increased state funding for health care and education, to improvements to our state highway system and more growth at UT-RGV and its School of Medicine in Edinburg,” the EEDC Executive Director noted.
One of the biggest construction projects involves the proposed construction of a $50 million, 124,3o4 square-foot Interdisciplinary Engineering and Academic Studies Building at the Edinburg campus of The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. That proposed state funding, being requested by the UT System Board of Regents, is included in Senate Bill 21, authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.
The impact of education is tied directly to the economic development goals of the Edinburg City Council and the EEDC Board of Directors, Gus García explained.
“No city can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in human capital,” he said. “Education raises people’s productivity and creativity and promotes entrepreneurship and technological advances.”
He added that among Edinburg’s many blessings are it’s people’s strong work ethic and a driving desire to learn.
“With four nationally-recognized high schools and 11 schools rated ‘Distinguished” by the Texas Education Agency, we have to recognize our professors, teachers, parents, and students for their achievements,” Gus García said. “We have great leadership at every level, from Pre-Kindergarten to Ph.Ds and beyond, along with dedicated educators, smart and talented students, and a tremendously engaged community, and that makes all the difference.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF DECEMBER 2014 BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED BY CITY
According to the city’s Code Enforcement Department:
New Home Construction
New construction of 32 single-family residences led the way in December 2014, valued at $4,116,765, compared with 20 homes authorized for construction, valued at $1,925,243, during the same month in 2013.
For all of 2014, the city issued building permits for 288 new homes, valued at $35,737,570, compared with 323 homes, valued at $35,198,043, which began construction in 2013.
New Business Construction
New construction of commercial facilities in December 2014 totaled $2,070,400 in value, compared with $723,833 in new business structures the previous December.
For all of 2o14, the city authorized the construction of new business facilities valued at $35,803,795, compared with $39,471,02 during 2013.
New Multi-Family Residences (Duplexes to apartments with more than five units)
Multi-family residences, ranging from duplexes to apartment facilities with five or more units, were issued building permits in December 2014 valued at $200,000, compared with $533,000 during December 2013.
Alterations to Business Facilities
Alterations, valued at $629,992, were issued permits for commercial facilities in December 2o14, compared with building permits for alterations valued at $542,507 authorized by the City Code Enforcement Department in December 2013.
For all of 2o14, the city authorized alterations valued at $14,210,601 for business facilities, compared with $21,179,048 during 2013.
Alterations to Single-Family Homes
Alterations to single-family homes during December 2014 reached $321,765 in value, compared with $336,576 during the same month in 2013.
For all of 2014, alterations to single-family residences reached $5,073,177, compared with $6,525,282 during 2013.
Alterations to Government, Religious Facilities
Alterations to government buildings and churches – facilities which do not pay property taxes – during December 2014 were valued at $32,500, compared with $398,672 during the same month the previous year.
For 2014, the value of alterations for those facilities totaled $18,186,820, compared with $6,163,673 in 2013.
DECEMBER 2014 CITY BUILDING PERMITS, $100,000 AND HIGHER
Single-Family Residences New Construction
For December 2014, there were 26 single-family residences, valued at $100,000 and higher (not including the price of the lot), which were issued building permits by the city.
Those building permits follow by value of the construction, name of the owner(s,), address, and subdivision:
• $ 256,135 – CésarR. Yarritu, 4905 Sheffield, Bentley Estates;
• $ 178,255 – Jacob Newman, 3202 Pelican Lake Avenue, Madison Park Ph. 1;
• $ 170,000 – Elizabeth Támez, 3515 Dutchess Street, Victoria Heights Ph. 1;
• $ 169,920 – McKenny Glenn, Inc., 1216 Maravilla Drive, Summerset Estates;
• $ 165,000 – Infinity Custom Construction, LLC, 5106 August Ct., Summerset Estates;
• $ 160,000 – Dolores Silva, 2319 Link Drive, Los Lagos, Ph. 4;
• $ 160,000 – Newmark Custom Homes, LLC, 2724 Mongtegue Street, Los Lagos Ph. 4;
• $ 160,000 – Newmark Custom Homes, LLC, 2725 Mongtegue Street, Los Lagos Ph. 4;
• $ 160,000 – Infinity Custom Construction, LLC, 5102 August Ct., Summerset;
• $ 155,000 – Elías Flores, 5110 August Ct., Summerset Estates;
• $ 153,180 –DH Construction Inc., 1412 Maravilla Drive, Summerset Estates;
• $ 150,000 – Gabriela Ríos, 3721 Lula, Olivia Estates;
• $ 150,000 – Ana Benavidez, 1416 Maravilla Drive, Summerset Estates;
• $ 145,915 – Armando Cavazos, Jr., 5110 June Court, Summerset Estates;
• $ 140,000 – Yolanda Doria, 1212 Maravilla Drive, Summerset Estates;
• $ 131,720 – West Wind Homes, 1912 Webster Drive, Fairhaven Heights Ph. 4;
• $ 130,995 – Leo Salazar S&Z Construction, 1606 Alcañiz Drive, Alcañiz;
• $ 121,000 – Eduardo García, 5016 August Ct., Summerset Estates;
• $ 120,000 – Key West Construction, LLC, 2103 Alloy Drive, Sterling Heights;
• $ 118,000 – Gilberto & Priscilla Rodríguez, 1021 Shavano Drive, Northwind;
• $ 108,630 – Roy Rodríguez, 3830 Stratosphere Drive, Stratosphere, Ph. 1;
• $ 104,445 – West Wind Homes, 1910 Webster, Fairhaven Heights Ph. IV;
• $ 104,310 – Rodolfo Rodríguez, Jr., 2701 Asilomar Street, Davis Palm;
• $ 102,060 – Miguel and Rosario Treviño, 3705 Amando Street, Wisconsin;
• $ 100,000 – Daniel Hernández, 1330 Eva Street, Lantana Estates; and
• $ 100,000 – Edward Isacc Pérez, 3701 Amando Street, Wisconsin.
New Business Construction
• $ 1,750,900 – RRV Nolana One, 3502 I-69, Goodwill Wisconsin SD; and
• $ 200,000 – Sunil Wadhwani, 4614 South Business Highway 281, Sheval.
Alterations to Single-Family Homes
• $ 122,000 – Leonel Rodríguez, 3008 Karen Lane, Lake James Subdivision II, Unit 1.
Alterations to Business Facilities
• $ 200,000 – McAllen Hospitals LP, 2102 W. Trenton Road, McColl Tract; and
• $ 170,000 – Edinburg Regional Hospital, 1102 West Trenton Road, Trenton Street.
Alterations to New Multi-Family Residences
(Duplexes to apartments with more than five units)
• $ 180,000 – José G. Estrada, 1121 North 4th Avenue, Edinburg Original Townsite.
