Featured, from left: William Brock, Chief Medical Officer, South Texas Health System; Richard Hinojosa, Edinburg City Manager; Roxanne Godínez, Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Regional Hospital; Jennifer Garza, Chief Executive Officer, Edinburg Regional Medical Center/Edinburg Children’s Hospital, and Member, Board of Directors, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Anthony De Luna, TIS Total Imaging Solutions; Mayor Richard García; Precinct 4 Hidalgo County Commissioner Joseph Palacios; Cat Domian, Chief Nursing Officer, Edinburg Regional Medical Center/Edinburg Children’s Hospital; and Councilmember Richard Molina, Member, Board of Directors, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. The group was on hand on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 for the groundbreaking of the $8.6 million STHS ER (medical emergency room), located in north Edinburg.

Photograph By RONNIE LARRALDE

Days after South Texas Health System held a groundbreaking on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, of its multi-million dollar, stand-alone STHS ER (medical emergency room) to be built in north Edinburg, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation announced that total construction activities in the city reached more than $140 million from January through April 2017, including $23.1 million for the month of April. The year-to-date figure of $140.4 million continues to outperform last year’s pace, when total construction in Edinburg for the first four months of 2016 had reached almost $82.1 million. For the month of April 2017 – the latest figures available from the city – Edinburg saw construction permits issued for work valued at $23,146,234, with multi-family residences and single-family homes leading the way, at $11.8 million and $6.3 million, respectively. The building permits do not include the value of the land for the homes and buildings. Those totals do not include the value of any building-related activities at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and the UTRGV School of Medicine in Edinburg because the state government, not the city, oversees all construction at the Edinburg campus. The Edinburg EDC, of which Gus García is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council. The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mayor Richard García as President, Harvey Rodríguez, Jr. as Vice President, Elías Longoria, Jr., as Secretary/Treasurer, and Richard Ruppert and Dr. Peter Dabrowski as Members. Mayor Richard García and Edinburg EDC Executive Director Gus García are not related.

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Edinburg Economic Development Corporation reports $140+ million in construction activities in city during the first four months of 2017

By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]

The year-to-date figure of $140.4 million continues to outperform last year’s pace, when total construction in Edinburg for the first four months of 2016 had reached almost $82.1 million.

For the month of April 2017 – the latest figures available from the city – Edinburg saw construction permits issued for work valued at $23,146,234, with multi-family residences and single-family homes leading the way, at $11.8 million and $6.3 million, respectively.

Those totals do not include the value of any building-related activities at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and the UTRGV School of Medicine in Edinburg because the state government, not the city, oversees all construction at the Edinburg campus.

The building permits do not include the value of the land for the homes and buildings.

The Edinburg EDC, of which Gus García is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council.

The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mayor Richard García as President, Harvey Rodríguez, Jr. as Vice President, Elías Longoria, Jr., as Secretary/Treasurer, and Richard Ruppert and Dr. Peter Dabrowski as Members.

Mayor Richard García and Edinburg EDC Executive Director Gus García are not related.

In general, a building permit is legal permission given by the City of Edinburg, through the Code Enforcement Department, to erect, construct, renovate, maintain, or conduct any other specified activity on any building or structure, or on any installations or facilities therein. The term “building permit” includes but is not limited to building permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, and plumbing permits.

MOST VALUABLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR APRIL 2017

For April 2017, total construction activities in Edinburg totaled $23,146,234 compared with $16,918,004 in April 2016, according to the city’s Code Enforcement Department.

The top construction projects in Edinburg for April 2017, not including the value of the land, are:

$9,000,000 – MDS Housing Owassa, Ltd., 1215 E. Owassa, Avanti East Subdivision (Category – Commercial New);
$1,950,000 – Eliud García, 627 S. McColl Rd. West Meadows Subdivision (Category – Commercial New);
$1,600,000 – Three Willows Land Development, LLC., 2825 Canton Rd., Avalon Subdivision (Category – Commercial New);
$725,000 – Rubén Celadon, 2018 N. Doolittle Road, Tex Mex Railway Subdivision (Category – Residence New); and
$450,000 – Mac-Leo Homes, 3523 W. Sprague, Monmack Village Subdivision (Category – Multi-Family New/Addition/Remodel).

SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM OPENS $8.4 MILLION EMERGENCY ROOM IN NORTH EDINBURG

South Texas Health System held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday morning, May 23, 2017, for its stand-alone medical emergency room to be constructed in north Edinburg.

The facility, known as STHS ER at Edinburg, will provide 24-hour emergency services year round. STHS ER at Edinburg will be staffed and equipped with the same diagnostic technology available in South Texas Health System’s hospital-based emergency rooms.

STHS ER at Edinburg is slated to be completed by December 2017 and will be located at 3505 N. I-69C, near the southwest corner of Monte Cristo and Interstate 69, and will be open in early 2018. This will be STHS’ seventh emergency room.

Mayor García welcomed STHS to its newest location.

“I want to congratulate South Texas Health System for choosing this location,” Mayor García said. “We are on the cusp of growth here in the City of Edinburg.”

The facility will serve approximately 60,000 people that live in the surrounding area and will also bring 25 well-paying jobs.

“We can’t overlook the importance of this facility,” the mayor said. “We are very happy, and we are very thankful that it exists here. The City of Edinburg is proud to partner with South Texas Health System and we look forward to doing that in the future.”

With the $8.6 million investment, the STHS ER at Edinburg will feature nine treatment spaces, including six examination rooms, three triage bays, an internal waiting area, advanced imaging services scubas computed tomography (CT), X-ray, ultrasound and digital radiography, and an on-site laboratory.

The STHS ER will use the Cerner FirstNet electronic medical record system that is compatible with all other South Texas Health System facilities and allows patients to access their private health information online.

The STHS ER at Edinburg will be capable of treating general emergency cases on an outpatient basis, as well as trauma and observation care up to 24 hours. Patients requiring surgical intervention, a higher level of care, or an overnight hospital stay will be stabilized and transferred to a local hospital.

Early this year, Edinburg Regional Medical Center completed another expansion project, which featured the relocation of the existing Edinburg Regional Rehab Center from the second floor at Edinburg Regional Medical Center to the fourth floor at Edinburg Children’s Hospital, and the conversion of 26 medical/surgical beds on the second floor.

“Edinburg Regional Medical Center has a strong reputation for an ongoing commitment to high quality care,” said Jennifer C. Garza, Chief Executive Officer for Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital. “There has been an increase in volume each year for the last four years, and this expansion provides an excellent opportunity for us to ease capacity restraints.”

The Edinburg Regional Rehab Center unit features new equipment, as well as a ceiling track and harness, which supports patients in walking farther distances, a first of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley. Also included is a therapy gym, daily living training facilities and a dedicated dining room. Floor patterns feature straight lines that patients can follow down the hall and contrasting colored bars as distance makers to assist therapists and patients with progress and establishing milestones.

“In 2014, we added women’s services, more enhanced diagnostic imaging equipment and the only institute dedicated for pediatric diabetes. In 2015, we were the first in the Valley to add the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System. As so far this year, the South Texas Diabetic and Metabolic Institute opened, along with the Wound Healing Center,” Garza said. “It is really a testament to the staff who provides the care and the trust the community has in us to keep coming back and referring their family and friends to our facilities.”

178 NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, VALUED AT MORE THAN $20 MILLION, APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION DURING FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 2017

For the month of April 2017, building permits were issued for 56 new single-family residences, valued at $6,318,580, compared with 33 new single-family residences, valued at $4,785,633, during April 2016.

Year-to-date (January through April 2017), building permits were issued for 178 new single-family residences, valued at $20,465,358, compared with 138 new single-family residences, valued at $20,110,223, from January through April 2016.

In addition, for the month of April 2017, building permits were issued for 72 additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $726,356, compared with 76 additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $839,975, in April 2016.

Year-to-date (January through April 2017), building permits were issued for 261 additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $2,215,784, compared with 253 additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $1,919,044, from January through April 2016.

Multi-family residences – which range from two-unit duplexes to complexes of five or more units – totaled 29 buildings, representing 167 units, valued at $11,812,500, were approved for construction in April 2017. By comparison, there were 12 multi-family residences, representing 24 units, valued at $1,100,000, issued building permits in April 2016.

Year-to-date (January through April 2017), building permits were issued for 95 multi-family residences, representing 340 units, valued at $17,727,844, compared with 83 multi-family residences, representing 314 units, valued at $16,276,070, from January through April 2016.

The top categories in Edinburg for April 2017, which led to the total figure of $23,146,234, were:

$11,812,500 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$6,318,580 – Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$3,596,000 – Commercial New Construction;
$726,356 – Residential Alterations;
$625,748 – Non-Taxable Alterations (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine);
$67,050 – Commercial Alterations; and
$0 – Non-Taxable New (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine).

The top categories in Edinburg during April 2016, which led to the total figure of $16,918,004, were:

$5,231,296 – Commercial Alterations;
$4,929,000 – Commercial New Construction;
$4,785,633 – Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$1,100,000 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$839,975 – Residential Alterations;
$32,100 – Non-Taxable Alterations (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine); and
$0 – Non-Taxable New (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine).

The top categories in Edinburg for the months of January through April 2017, which led to the total figure of $140,444,456, were:

$80,000,000 – Non-Taxable New (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine);
$20,465,358– Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$17,727,844 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$14,227,694 – Commercial New Construction;
$4,391,828 – Commercial Alterations;
$2,215,784 – Residential Alterations; and
$1,415,984– Non-Taxable Alterations (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine).

During the previous year, for the months of January through April 2016, the top categories in Edinburg, which led to the total figure of $82,091,207, were:

$24,938,000 – Commercial New Construction;
$20,110,223 – Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$16,276,070 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$15,183,870 – Commercial Alterations;
$2,635,600 – Non-Taxable Alterations (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine);
$1,919,044 – Residential Alterations; and
$1,028,400 – Non-Taxable New (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine).

APRIL 2017 CITY BUILDING PERMITS, $100,000 AND HIGHER

Single-Family Residences New Construction

For April 2017, there were 56 single-family residences issued building permits by the city.

The building permits, which do not include the price of the lot, ranged from $22,000 to $725,000, and represented a total value of $6,318,580.

Of the 56 single-family residences for which building permits were issued, 30 of them were for construction each valued at $100,000 or higher.

The $100,000+ building permits follow by value of the construction, name of the owner(s), address, and subdivision. The permits do not include the value of the lot.

$725,000 – Rubén Celadon, 2018 N. Doolittle Rd., Tex Mex Railway Subdivision;
$286,000 – Arnoldo Noyola, 1104 W. Palm Dr., Santa Cruz Gardens Subdivision;
$242,000 – Justin Lemmo, 4908 Juno Dr., Summerfield Manor Subdivision;
$170,000 – Miguel Garza, 3106 London, Camden Village Subdivision;
$169,000 – Lord I. González, 2313 Drakensburg Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$150,000 – Luis Cruz, 2747 Nessus Ave., Granite Meadows Ph. 1 Subdivision;
$145,000 – Arturo and Nidia Reyes, 3524 Featherie St., Los Lagos Ph. 4 Subdivision;
$140,000 – Juan M. Rivas, 2213 Chance, Camden Village Subdivision;
$130,000 – Carranza Development, 2503 Wolverie St., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$125,000 – UR Homes Texas, LLC, 1326 Sweet Ln., Sugarland Estates Subdivision;
$125,000 – Falaso LLC, 1609 Lago Huron, Lumen Subdivision;
$125,000 – Gustavo Garza Dorados, 3008 Red Raider Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$125,000 – UR Homes Texas, LLC, 1407 Sweet Ln., Sugar Estates Subdivision;
$125,000 – Osvaldo Duenas, 804 Palm Cir., Villa del Mundo Subdivision;
$120,000 – Antre Homes, Inc., 2809 Red Raider Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$118,117 – Gustavo Garza Dorados, 3105 Bobcat Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$115,120 – McKenny Glenn, Inc., 3913 Revilla St.,Valencia Subdivision;
$115,000 – Rolando Tovar Xtreme Builders, 2806 Bobcat Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$110,000 – Tri-Star Builders, 3019 London Dr., Camden Village Subdivision;
$110,000 – Xtreme Builder, 2512 San Bernard Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$103,248 – Carranza Development, 2804 Red Raider Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$100,000 – Jonathan Rodríguez, 2810 Franklin Ave., Northridge Subdivision;
$100,000 – Emigdio Villanueva/RGV Villa Homes, 3008 London Dr., Camden Village Subdivision;
$100,000 – Jose H. Arredondo, 804 Cactus Ln., Cactus Lane Subdivision;
$100,000 – Fred Palacios, 2821 Edison Ave., Northridge Subdivision;
$100,000 – Palacios Brothers Investments, 3414 Clubhouse Dr., Monte Cristo Golf and Country Club;
$100,000 – Herencia Capital LLC, 3107 Manchester Dr., Camden Village Subdivision;
$100,000 – Herencia Capital LLC, 2323 Chance Dr., Camden Village Subdivision;
$100,000 – Fred Palacios, 2905 Franklin Ave., Northridge Subdivision; and
$100,000 – Cindy Torres, 3224 Francis Ln., Santa Cruz Subdivision.

Commercial New Construction

For April 2017, three permits were issued for new construction of commercial facilities, for a value totaling $3,596,000.

Two of those projects were valued at $100,000 or higher.

The $100,000+ building permits follow by value of the construction, name of the owner(s), address, and subdivision. The permits do not include the value of the lot.

$1,950,000 – Eliud García, 627 S. McColl Rd., West Meadows Subdivision (Category – Commercial New); and
$1,600,000 – Three Willows Land Development, LLC., 2825 Canton Rd., Avalon Subdivision (Category – Commercial New).

Multi-Family Residences New Construction

For April 2017, building permits were issued for 17 multi-family residences new construction/addition/remodel, with 13 of those projects valued at $100,000 or higher (not including the price of the lot).

Work on those new facilities represented a combined value of $11,812,500 for that month.

The building permits for the 13 structures each valued at $100,000 0r higher follow by value of the construction, name of the owner, address, and subdivision:

$9,000,000 – MDS Housing Owassa, Ltd., 1215 E. Owassa, Avanti East Subdivision;
$450,000 – Mac-Leo Homes, 3523 W. Sprague, Monmack Village Subdivision;
$240,000 – Alexander Realty and Construction, 300 W. Van Week St., Edinburg Original Townsite Subdivision;
$220,000 – Chapa Group, 2309 Mojave St., The Sands Subdivision;
$220,000 – Chapa Group, 24o1 Mojave St., The Sands Subdivision;
$220,000 – Chapa Group, 2315 Mojave St., The Sands Subdivision;
$220,000 – Chapa Group, 2321 Mojave St., The Sands Subdivision;
$215,000 – Luis Nader, 1315 Bodark Dr., West Oak Subdivision;
$185,000 – Gumbentha Homes, 2706 Larkspur Ave., McColl Manor Subdivision;
$180,000 – Daniel Guevarra, 1708 Orlando St., Summer Winds L.T.C. Ph. 1 Subdivision;
$162,500 — DP Homes, 2905 Javalina Ave.,The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$140,000 – Jatz Real Estates, 1309 Bodark Dr., West Oaks Subdivision; and
$140,000 – Edinburg Village Apartments, 701 S. 4th Street, Maverick Subdivision.

Residential Additions/Repairs

For April 2017, there were no residential additions/repairs projects, valued at $100,000 or higher, issued a building permit by the city.

In all, there were 72 residential additions/repairs projects authorized for that month, ranging from $250 to $80,000, for a total value of $726,356.

Commercial Additions/Repairs

For April 2017, there were 19 commercial additions/repairs which were issued building permits by the city.

The building permits, which do not include the price of the lot, ranged from $300 to $20,000, and represented a total value of $67,050.

Of the 19 commercial additions/repairs for which building permits were issued, none were for construction each valued at $100,000 or higher.

Non-Taxable Additions/Repairs

For April 2017, there were three non-taxable additions/remodels issued building permits by the city.

Those three building permits, which do not include the price of the lot, represent a combined value of work of $625,748.

Two of those projects involved a building permit each valued at $100,000 or more.

The building permits for the two of the structures valued at $100,000 0r higher follow by value of the construction, name of the owner, address, and subdivision:

$311,000 – ECISD Maintenance Bldg, 2600 Wisconsin Rd., John Closner Subdivision; and
$311,000 – ECISD North High School, 3101 N. Closner Blvd, Texas Mexican Railway Subdivision.

Non-Taxable New Construction

For April 2017, there were no building permits issued for non-taxable new construction.

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Cari Lambrecht and Irma Garza contributed to this story. For more information on the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and the City of Edinburg, please log on to http://edinburgedc.com or to http://www.facebook.com/edinburgedc.