[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6052730,"mediaKeyId","3378456-188bfdac4cc736dedc716d77e60fa6b9","parentId",3378456,"title","Committee seeks bids, fundraising for Iwo Jima monument at Harlem Block Park","audioSeconds",447,"startMs",2473000,"endMs",2920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378456-188bfdac4cc736dedc716d77e60fa6b9&start=2473&end=2920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378456-188bfdac4cc736dedc716d77e60fa6b9/thumbnail_2473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052730/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Committee-seeks-bids-fundraising-for-Iwo-Jima-monument-at-Harlem-Block-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052730-47635f3cb9e10f83bd6d374c4662f6c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159400&Signature=Aw7IHHc5oAe4SOLgCLJ6XSZZHdd006fwtdWSAfhgNf~Pv9sv5ppu-iSopsyweHoyNIys4HlboN-uGOTRa5xiqOYwdIpchU2UFY57XfryHpywP8nNY2gU~IkxnG1dYa9HjAvw-pN5DRHB~Aoui~F9IP4TCLv6xlezLWfMXYImoyr3SPuI4gtUPyRnBc10zQDl5pxKHhrFd75sdgILhnVVSr0w9fiB21fMb3FQQkh4XBk14~rKdoBs3UTim1eHGCRqJnAmHWUf8TFLHa0DRaucvv2RwOD3J~~~-INOyXFc~tRVTB3oZz1ILsbjgUgHlkYEkzeeSQrZBz1f-xbHC-36yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Weslaco","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","An ad hoc committee told the Weslaco City Commission at a May 7 workshop that it has a design and preliminary cost estimates and is ready to solicit bids for a new Iwo Jima silhouette monument to be sited at Harlem Block Park.

The committee described a design with an approximately 33-foot flag-topping element and presented a local contractor estimate in the $150,000–$160,000 range. The group said civic organizations have pledged partial support and members are pursuing additional donations to complete the fundraising package.

Israel Maldonado, speaking for committee members including Mark McHale, Ramon Rey Ascendes, Almadalia Gonzalez and Randy Hall, said community groups are committed to raising funds and providing volunteer support. \"We're committed,\" Maldonado said, and committee members discussed fundraising ideas such as donor plaques or engraved bricks. The presenters said the Westco Rotary had indicated a target of about $50,000, the Elks Lodge had committed $10,000 in its budget and the Economic Development Corporation had committed $100,000 toward the project as described in the committee report.

Committee members said Andrew and Maribel of the design team provided pro bono assistance to create the monument design and that a local builder supplied the cost estimate. The committee asked that the city place authorization to solicit bids on a future regular meeting agenda so donors and partner organizations can pursue additional commitments. Participants noted the Rotary and Elks plan to bridge budget years if necessary and that additional fundraising could reduce or eliminate the city's share.

No formal city action to approve the project or release funds occurred at the workshop. Committee members said once the commission approves bid solicitation and funding steps on a regular agenda they expect to move forward with procurement and additional fundraising. Several committee members and veterans in attendance said they would donate time and support local events tied to the monument's fundraising and dedication.

If the commission directs staff to proceed, the committee expects staff to return to the commission with bid results, a recommended award and a final funding plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Weslaco City Commission Workshop - May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An ad hoc committee presented a design and preliminary cost estimate of $150,000–$160,000 for a new Iwo Jima silhouette monument at Harlem Block Park and described partial fundraising commitments; the committee asked staff to put a bid authorization on a regular meeting agenda.","taxTitle","Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",57351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052736,"Weslaco staff seek go-ahead to solicit bids for upgrades at Pablo Pena and Isaac Rodriguez parks",2395,63000,2458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378456-188bfdac4cc736dedc716d77e60fa6b9&start=63&end=2458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378456-188bfdac4cc736dedc716d77e60fa6b9/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6052736/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Weslaco-staff-seek-go-ahead-to-solicit-bids-for-upgrades-at-Pablo-Pena-and-Isaac-Rodriguez-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052736-6d58aaa87caed488753057837413e4c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159400&Signature=k4H9IkBWyuShJqRo7AmzANcdVpLpqjH7RBDJQHi2nAeSv2qCEAMpsHAZzc2qwxhwnDWoHLfCnssnLqqhDY-GdFzRzv8r7f95qSChc349Qc81cKlm3l3qlOnrJpUa-Otmff61SdEuGMqlSgjJ7Xe6yMURRSUItYqmc1DHPnNTD7Z1GM7P~N~QhMuithBff7tQ7dlqCNNVmuIolMEMrRwV2RZ5cVxZFpK3lCC5WwNTzTSFIV1Kurp3KufdKiMK3fWntW1f0P8euNekxAP73pyJw09eNmUjQbv43kiflbH1OHPh2eVT4ZO2tdy3simsvMUdmNQkFY-d1MFKlRUhJ5upFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Weslaco City Commission at a May 7 workshop they have construction documents and cost estimates and are requesting authorization to solicit bids for improvements at Mayor Pablo Pena Park and Isaac Rodriguez Park.

The request matters because the projects would cover core park infrastructure — a new combination restroom and concession building, central plazas, expanded irrigation, LED sports lighting and resurfacing of Utah Street — and are intended to support year-round youth sports, tournaments and general park use. Staff presented an estimated budget of about $1,700,000 for Mayor Pablo Pena Park and an estimated $1,987,000 for Isaac Rodriguez Park and described several items that would be issued as bid alternates.

Maribel Lopez, with the Hefner design team, summarized the Pablo Pena scope: \"That will be demolished to make room for a new concession and restroom combination building,\" and said designers plan a central plaza, improved walkways and dugout/backstop upgrades. A staff presenter identified a project-level budget of about $1,700,000 for Pablo Pena including dugout and backstop replacement, new fence fabric and resurfacing of Utah Street. The party presenting the Isaac Rodriguez plan said the design would remove a drive that currently splits the park to create a single central green with a combined restroom/concession building, a central plaza, tree preservation measures and new or replacement lighting and irrigation.

Staff described a number of large-ticket items and alternates. The presentation identified a $750,000 allocation for rebuilding Utah Street/parking areas and about $600,000 for Musco LED field lighting. The Gold Star Memorial received a $15,000 line item to connect irrigation and improve landscaping; city staff noted private donations are also expected for monument repairs. The Isaac Rodriguez estimated construction cost was presented at $1,987,000 against a project budget figure of $1,950,000.

Commissioners raised several practical concerns. Commissioner Farias asked about sewer, water and protecting existing trees; staff said construction documents include tree protection fencing and that the civil engineer will review utility locations. On restroom capacity, a staff member said the current floor plan shows, \"In the men's we have 1 water closet and 1 urinal and then the ladies we have 2 stalls,\" and that a larger stall count would approximately double the restroom cost. Staff also said restroom and concession construction runs about $350 per square foot and that a replacement restroom similar to other recent work cost about $227,000.

Designers and staff noted some items could be handled by in-house maintenance or funded from regular park operations rather than the capital contract; examples included replacing movable equipment (bleachers, picnic furniture) and renovating one restroom near the playground that was judged to have \"good bones.\" The project team also said one north-side softball field irrigation is included as a bid alternate and that bleachers, pickleball courts and shade structures are alternates to help balance the budget.

On grants and outside funding, staff discussed competitiveness and timing for Texas Parks and Wildlife grants. A staff speaker said, \"The next round is due in August,\" and explained that items already fully designed and ready to bid would not be eligible for that grant cycle; instead, separate scope items would have to be separated out and submitted in a future application. Commissioners discussed possible Economic Development Corporation support for turf fields as a way to attract tournaments and generate economic activity.

No formal action was taken during the workshop. Staff asked the commission for authorization to proceed to solicit bids and said the project is \"ready\" to put on the street; staff noted any formal authorization or budget approvals would be handled through a regular meeting agenda. The presentation included requests to preserve trees, confirm utility locations before demolition, and consider speed humps and drainage as the street reconstruction proceeds.

If the commission authorizes solicitation of bids at a future regular meeting, staff said they would return with formal bid documents, recommended alternates and any updated funding plan. Until a formal vote is taken, the project remains at the design/solicit-bids stage.","City staff presented construction documents and cost estimates at a May 7 workshop and asked the City Commission to authorize soliciting bids for improvements that include new combination restroom/concession buildings, irrigation, lighting and road resurfacing. No formal vote was taken at the workshop.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee seeks bids, fundraising for Iwo Jima monument at Harlem Block Park

Weslaco staff seek go-ahead to solicit bids for upgrades at Pablo Pena and Isaac Rodriguez parks