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Mission council approves MOU with school district to swap and donate parcels for flood mitigation
Summary
The City of Mission and Mission Consolidated Independent School District approved a memorandum of understanding to exchange and donate multiple parcels to support flood mitigation projects and park expansion.
The City of Mission on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with Mission Consolidated Independent School District to transfer and use several school-district parcels for local flood mitigation and park improvements.
Under the MOU the district identified two district-owned properties that could assist with drainage: a tract near the corner of Francisco Avenue and Citriana, and the athletic field at Bridal Elementary School. The city agreed to donate a tract at the northeast corner of Bridal Road and Elm Drive for the district to develop overflow parking to support Bryan Elementary School. Mission CISD agreed to donate four landlocked parcels near the Mission pump house along Canal Street and U.S. Highway 83 for expansion or improvement of Leopena Placita Park. The council approved the agreement by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: Council members and school officials said the land exchanges address long-standing drainage problems in parts of Mission and generate community benefits for students and residents. The city manager recommended approval; Mission CISD voted to approve the MOU on May 21, 2025.
City officials described the outcome as a cooperative solution to recurring flooding. Mayor Nori Gonzalez Garza called the agreement “a huge, huge, huge win for our city,” saying the parcels identified had “been a long time issue for the city of Mission as far as drainage was concerned.”
Mission CISD leaders and school board members attended the council meeting. Dr. Chris Valdez, superintendent of schools, said the partnership “will help the whole community, all our children and all of our parents and grandparents,” and called the work “a partnership.” A school board speaker said the district was unanimous in supporting the transfer and hoped the changes would help citizens impacted by flooding.
Council members and district representatives gathered for a ceremonial photograph after the vote. The MOU outlines the parcels and intended public uses but does not specify construction timelines, funding sources, or final engineering plans; those steps will be handled in subsequent interagency coordination and project planning.
