Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Mayor Omar Ochoa used his State of the City address to announce what he called “the largest and most comprehensive infrastructure initiative in the history of our city,” a $275 million capital improvement plan to be carried out over the next four years. Ochoa said the plan is meant to strengthen the city’s “deep foundation” through sewer upgrades, drainage relief, road expansion, and investments tied to future growth.
“This is our blueprint for the American dream right here in Edinburg,” Ochoa said. He presented the plan as a response to years of rapid growth and to residents’ demands for streets repaired, flood protection improved, and public services prepared for the future. He also said the city is working from a position of financial stability, pointing to “an exceptional $28 million reserve funds,” which he said equals more than 30 percent of the operating budget.
Ochoa said the capital plan includes projects across several parts of the city, with a stated focus on areas that he said have waited too long for investment. He named East Edinburg, Faysville, Monte Cristo, Chapin, Canton, Trenton, Owassa, and Southeast Edinburg as places where residents should see new infrastructure, trails, green space, and other improvements. “When a city succeeds, all of its residents and every zip code must feel that success,” he said.
Among the projects Ochoa highlighted were the push for an independent water source, a new wastewater treatment plant in North Edinburg, more than $5 million in improvements to Highway 107 between the courthouse and the expressway, and major airport work backed by state money. He said the airport plan includes a 1,000-foot runway extension, elevation work to reduce rain-related shutdowns, new navigation aids, and support for an $11 million hangar for the Texas DPS aircraft division.
Ochoa also moved to answer concerns about the cost of the construction agenda. “We are executing these historic investments while keeping our city’s property tax rate at its lowest level since 1991,” he said. He added that the city will seek efficiency and work with Hidalgo County, Edinburg CISD, state lawmakers, and the area’s congressional office to stretch local dollars and support more projects in the future.
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