Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Investment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDC board to hold workshop after members press for plan on International Drive and water fixes
Summary
Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation members pressed for a joint workshop with the city and TxDOT to review project scope, costs and funding options for International Drive and related infrastructure after ongoing water-pressure and funding concerns.
The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday agreed to schedule a workshop to get a detailed briefing and firm costs for the International Drive/Hill Country Drive extension and related infrastructure after board members said they lacked enough information to decide.
Board members said the development corridor (referred to in the meeting as the 3167 development) is attracting commercial investment but remains constrained by low water pressure and unclear funding commitments. The board directed staff to organize a joint workshop with the city and TxDOT so engineers, developers and funding partners can present maps, cost estimates and timelines.
The workshop request followed reports from the EDC executive director that a near-term engineering fix for water pressure is being finalized with consultants and that a HUD-funded east water loop had been identified but could take years to reach construction. Board members said the shorter-term fix is urgently needed because restaurants and a hotel in the development already reported low pressure.
Discussion highlighted three issues: (1) the immediate need to relieve low water pressure affecting recently opened businesses (noted in the meeting as IHOP and other sites), (2) uncertainty over who will pay what share for road construction and right-of-way, and (3) concern that the EDC could expend a large share of its budget on a single project without clear outside commitments. Several board members urged a firm dollar figure for the EDC—s potential contribution before a formal vote.
EDC staff told the board that the EDC previously budgeted assistance for roadway and infrastructure projects by using a portion of the city—s sales-tax allotment redirected to the EDC (the board described the arrangement as the city allocating 25% of certain sales tax receipts to the EDC). Staff also said the EDC had previously been the vehicle used to fund commercial roadway projects when city funds were not available.
Board members asked staff to invite TxDOT and the private developers to the workshop, and several members said they preferred a joint workshop with the city commission so all questions about scope, limits and funding could be answered at once. The board agreed the workshop will be scheduled as soon as participants are available, with maps and cost breakdowns to be presented so the EDC can consider a vote at a subsequent meeting.
No formal funding decision was made during the meeting; the item will return after the workshop and more detailed cost estimates are submitted.
Ending: The EDC set the next steps as scheduling a joint workshop, securing technical presenters including TxDOT and engineers, and returning the item to a future meeting with concrete cost and funding options for consideration.
