Elected officials representing the US, State, and local communities, including Mexican officials, gathered at City Hall to sign the Full Cargo Donation Acceptance. The historic agreement will boost the economy, increase border trade, and add regional jobs.
Groundbreaking Metro McAllen and Parks
The City of McAllen broke ground on the facility housing two departments – the Parks & Recreation Department and Metro McAllen. The new metro transfer station and bus maintenance facility will feature new employee and visitor parking, public parking spaces, bus parking, wash and fuel islands, and maintenance bays.
The Parks & Recreation Department's new administrative offices and maintenance warehouse facility will include administration and visitor parking, employeeparking, city vehicle parking, trailer parking, and material storage.
Bicentennial Blvd Project
The City of McAllen completed the Bicentennial Boulevard Extension Project, which extends the roadway an additional 2.8 miles from Trenton Road to State Highway 107. The urban four-lane roadway now features designated right and left-turn lanes at intersections, adjacent sidewalks, a noise barrier, and a storm-water system to manage subsurface drainage, water, and sanitary sewer infrastructure.
Airport Park
The City of McAllen held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Airport Park improvements. The improvements were made possible through the Park Land Zone 1 Funding. The park features improvements like new A.D.A. picnic tables with sidewalk connections and family restrooms with an adult-changing table.
The City of McAllen Engineering Department completed various capital improvement projects in 2021. The Kennedy Ave Improvements project consisted of constructing one-half mile of new roadway consisting of an urban two-lane section with adjacent sidewalks, a storm-water management system, bicycle lanes, water, and sanitary sewer utilities. The roadway now connects Bentsen Road to Ware Rd.
Additional projects included the following:
• N 12th St. at Esperanza Avenue to upgrade existing catch basins and replacing undersized storm sewer lines
• Gardenia Ave. at N. 12th St project to install new storm sewer infrastructure
• Dove Ave from N. 10th St project to improve drainage
• Sara Ave Storm Sewer project to install a new storm sewer bypass line to redirect excess storm flows into an adjacent system
• 38th and Russel Roadway Improvement project to connect both roadways.
The Kennedy Ave Improvements project consisted of constructing one-half mile of new roadway consisting of an urban two-lane section with adjacent sidewalks, a storm-water management system, bicycle lanes, water, and sanitary sewer utilities. The roadway now connects Bentsen Road to Ware Rd.
North Wastewater Treatment Plant SCADA and Electrical Improvements Project consisted of an upgrade to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for the facility as well as some electrical improvements like the installation of two new backup generators, the Critical Power Management System (CPMS) which helps to monitoring power, and replacement of the primary electrical power distribution.
Sprague Road Sewer Interceptor Phase I consisted of the installation of 1.3 miles of 48-inch sewer pipe starting from the North Wastewater Treatment Plant located near the intersection of Sprague Road and 23rd Street west to La Lomita Road. The project will help with the growth and future development of the City of McAllen and its service area to the northwest. Additionally, the project facilitated the removal of two lift station from the system.
Both South and North Water Treatment Plants had extensive upgrades completed. The improvements included expanding treatment capacity by 4 MGD at the south Water Treatment Plant as well as a complete overhaul of SCADA Systems. The SCADA upgrades included the installation of a new Filter Backwash Controls System that is already yielding tremendous water savings.
Morris Park Improvements
McAllen Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with McAllen ISD, entered into an agreement to complete improvements at Morris Park. The park improvements will include trail development, landscaping and irrigation, amenities, lighting, and site improvements.
Crockett Skate Park Ribbon Cutting
The City of McAllen held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Crockett Skate Park, the City’s third skate park. The park features new fencing, benches, an exercise pad, two youth soccer fields, a dog run, and upgrades to the existing pavilion. The project's final phase will add additional landscaping, including native butterfly-attracting plants and shrubs.
Capable Kids Park
An emotional groundbreaking ceremony was held for the All-Inclusive park at Sanchez Elementary. This two-phase project partners the City, McAllen ISD, Hidalgo County Precinct 4, and the Capable Kids Foundation.
