Featured: Former Edinburg Mayor Joe Ochoa, along with his son, Omar Ochoa, meet with Congressman Vicente González, D-Edinburg, on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the Embassy Suites in McAllen, where the U.S. lawmaker was hosting a Christmas celebration for his supporters and to collect toys for deserving area children as Christmas gifts. The former mayor was recently appointed by the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council to serve on the Edinburg Planning and Zoning Commission. Ochoa was elected by his fellow board members as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Richard Molina represents the City Council on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning staff administers the review of development projects to ensure compliance with the city regulations, coordinates pre-submittal meetings and administers the zoning and platting process. The staff also prepares reports, presents site data and recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council regarding rezoning, special use permits, and subdivision plats.
Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR
Total construction activities in Edinburg from January through October 2017, including more than $22.5 million for the month ofOctober, has passed the quarter-billion dollarlevel, compared with $188.7million during the first 10 months of 2016, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced. During October 2017, new construction of multi-family residences and new construction of new homes led the way, with the issuance of building permits for investments valued at almost $14.9 million and more than $5.8 million, respectively. Those year-to-date and monthly 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 top construction projects in Edinburg for October 2017, not including the value of the land, are: $12,500,000 – EHA Liberty Village, LTD, 4710 Veterans Blvd., Liberty Village Subdivision (Multi-Family Residences New Construction), and $1,250,000 – South Texas Museum, 200 N. Closner Blvd., Edinburg Original Townsite Subdivision (Non-Taxable Additions/Repairs).The Edinburg EDC is the jobs-creation arm of Mayor Richard Molina, Mayor Pro-Tem David Torres, Councilmember Homer Jasso, Jr., Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez, and Councilmember Jorge Salinas. The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of City Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez as President, Edinburg School Board Trustee Miguel “Mike” Farías as Vice-President, Isael Posadas, P.E., as Secretary/Treasurer, and Julio César Carranza and Noé Sauceda, Ph.D. as Members. 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.
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City has generated more than a quarter-billion dollars in total construction work from January through October 2017, reports Edinburg EDC
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Total construction activities in Edinburg from January through October 2017, including more than $22.5 million for the month ofOctober, has passed the quarter-billion dollar level,, compared with $188.7 million during the first 10 months of 2016, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced.
During October 2017, new construction of multi-family residences and new construction of new homes led the way, with the issuance of building permits for investments valued at almost $14.9 million and more than $5.8 million, respectively.
Those year-to-date and monthly 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 is the jobs-creation arm of Mayor Richard Molina, Mayor Pro-Tem David Torres, Councilmember Homer Jasso, Jr., Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez, and Councilmember Jorge Salinas.
The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of City Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez as President, Edinburg School Board Trustee Miguel “Mike” Farías as Vice-President, Isael Posadas, P.E., as Secretary/Treasurer, and Julio César Carranza and Noé Sauceda, Ph.D. as Members.
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 OCTOBER 2017
For October 2017, total construction activities in Edinburg was $22,560,876, according to the city’s Code Enforcement Department.
The top construction projects in Edinburg for October 2017, not including the value of the land, are:
$12,500,000 – EHA Liberty Village, LTD, 4710 Veterans Blvd., Liberty Village Subdivision (Multi-Family Residences New Construction); and
$1,250,000 – South Texas Museum, 200 N. Closner Blvd., Edinburg Original Townsite Subdivision (Non-Taxable Additions/Repairs).
436 NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, VALUED AT$51.6+ MILLION, APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION FROM JANUARY THROUGH OCTOBER 2017
For the month of October 2017, building permits were issued for 46 new single-family residences, valued at $5,872,028, compared with 46 new single-family residences, valued at $5,330,686, during October 2016.
Year-to-date (January through October 2017), building permits were issued for 436 new single-family residences, valued at $51,694,353 compared with 403 new single-family residences, valued at $52,402,028, from January through October 2016.
In addition, for the month of October 2017, building permits were issued for27 additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $83,283, compared with 48additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $271,235, in October 2016.
Year-to-date (January through October 2017), building permits were issued for 569additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $5,204,943, compared with 592 additions/remodels of single-family residences, valued at $4,681,475, from January through October 2016.
Multi-family residences – which range from two-unit duplexes to complexes of five or more units – totaled 34 buildings, representing 152 units, valued at $14,891,300, were approved for construction in October 2017. By comparison, there were seven multi-family residences, representing 16 units, valued at $552,151, issued building permits in October 2016.
Year-to-date (January through October 2017), building permits were issued for 285 multi-family residences, representing 856 units, valued at $57,274,702, compared with 237 multi-family residences, representing 944 units, valued at $62,207,415, from January throughOctober 2016.
The top categories in Edinburg for October 2017, which led to the total figure of $22,560,876 were:
$14,891,300 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$5,872,028 – Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$1,255,000 – 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);
$253,000 – Commercial New Construction;
$206,265– Commercial Alterations
$83,283 – Residential 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 October 2016, which led to the total figure of $8,963,349were:
$5,330,686 – Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$1,480,000 – Commercial New Construction;
$1,097,627 – Commercial Alterations;
$552,151– Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$271,235 – Residential Alterations;
$231,650 – 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 October 2017, which led to the total figure of$250,900,981, were:
$84,537,000 – 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);
$57,274,702 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$51,694,353– Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$32,898,044 – Commercial New Construction;
$11,202,834 – Commercial Alterations;
$8,598,105– 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
$5,204,943 – Residential Alterations.
During the previous year, for the months of January through October 2016, the top categories in Edinburg, which led to the total figure of $188,725,537were:
$62,207,415 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction;
$52,402,028 – Single-Family Residences New Construction;
$34,724,255 – Commercial New Construction;
$28,433,953– Commercial Alterations;
$5,248,011 – 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
$4,681,475 – 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).
OCTOBER 2017 CITY BUILDING PERMITS, $100,000 AND HIGHER
Single-Family Residences New Construction
For October 2017, there were 46single-family residences issued building permits by the city.
The building permits, which do not include the price of the lot, ranged from $15,000 to $270,000, and represented a total value of $5,872,028.
Of the 33 single-family residences for which building permits were issued, 23 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.
$350,000 – Jacob & Johathan Innovative Construction, 3109 Cuarzo St., Canton Village Subdivision;
$300,000 – Eduardo Elizondo, 3436 Valle Circle, Sugarland Estates Subdivision;
$250,000 – Lord I. González, 2309 Drakensburg Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$250,000 – Lord I. González, 2407 Drakensburg Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$202,000 – Lord I. González, 2411 Drakensburg Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$193,000 – Lord I. González, 1817 St. Claire, Sugar Oaks Subdivision;
$192,000 – Mark Villarreal, 100 E. Marian Ln., Town Estates Subdivision;
$190,000 – Rocass Homes, 2409 Penrose Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$190,000 – Infinity Custom Construction, LLC, 1603 St. Claire Ave., Sugar Oaks Subdivision;
$170,000 – Benancio Cano, 5505 Ake Ave., Acacia Subdivision;
$165,000 – Marco Santiveinez, 1805 St. Claire Ave., Sugar Oaks Subdivision;
$160,000 – Ancer Construction, 2901 Bobcat Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$154,000 – Mesquite Homes, LLC, 2402 Colvin Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$151,050 — Pin Point Investments, LLC, 2410 Penrose Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$150,000 – Ancer Construction, 2905 Bobcat Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$148,000 – Antre Homes, Inc., 3001 Red Raider Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$135,000 – Salvador Alaniz, 2702 Wolverine St., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$134,289 – Vanessa Jasso, 2201 Big Valley Circle, Big Valley Subdivision;
$129,900 – Mario Treviño, 2509 Drakensburg Ave., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$120,000 – Melissa Garza, 2426 Ruby St., Graciela Estates (Amended) Subdivision;
$120,000 – Reyna Regalado, 2518 Terranova Cir., Emerald Pointe Subdivision;
$115,000 – Erasmo Rodríguez Homes, 2313 Elbrus Rd., Jackson Heights Subdivision;
$110,000 – Camino Real Builders, 1410 Chapel Hills, The Hills at Chapin Subdivision;
$100,000 – Antre Homes, Inc., 2907 Red Raider, The Reserve at Canton Subdivision; and
$100,000 – D’Ann Torres, 2615 Nessuh Ave., Granite Meadows Ph. 1 Subdivision.
Commercial New Construction
For October 2017, five permits were issued for new construction of commercial facilities, for a value totaling $253,000.
Of the five new commercial construction projects for which building permits were issued, one was for construction valued at $100,000 or higher.
The $100,000+ building permit follows by value of the construction, name of the owner, address, and subdivision. The permit does not include the value of the lot.
$130,000 – Del Canto Properties, LLC, 601 S. 1oth Ave., Edinburg Original Townsite Subdivision.
Multi-Family Residences New Construction
For October 2017, building permits were issued for 17 multi-family residences new construction/addition/remodel, with 15 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 $14,891,300 for that month.
The building permits for the15structures each valued at $100,000 0r higher follow by value of the construction, name of the owner, address, and subdivision:
$12,500,000 – EHA Liberty Village, LTD, 4710 Veterans Blvd., Liberty Village Subdivision;
$250,000 – Rolo Properties, 406 Downing Ave., Monmack Landing Subdivision;
$200,000 – Aída Ochoa, 514 Carlisle Ave., Monmack Landing Subdivision;
$181,000 – Novellini Construction and Develop., 511 Downing Ave., Monmack Landing Subdivision;
$181,000 – Novellini Construction and Develop., 507 Downing Ave., Monmack Landing Subdivision;
$164,000 – Juan Arredondo, 2802 Javalina Ave., The Reserve at Canton Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2103 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2104 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2111 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russel Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2115 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2107 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2112 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2116 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision;
$160,000 – Saúl Ortega, 2108 Garden Ridge Dr., The Gardens at Russell Estates Subdivision; and
$100,000 – Edinburg Housing Authority, 504 North 22nd, Edinburg Original Townsite Subdivision.
Residential Additions/Repairs
For October 2017, there were no residential additions/repairs project, valued at $100,000 or higher, issued a building permit by the city.
In all, there were 27 residential additions/repairs projects authorized for that month, ranging from $300 to $18,000, for a total value of $83,283.
Commercial Additions/Repairs
For October 2017, there were 17 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 $100,000, and represented a total value of $206,265.
Of the 17 commercial additions/repairs for which building permits were issued, one was for construction valued at $100,000 or higher.
The building permit for the one structure valued at $100,000 or higher follows by value of the construction, name of the owner, address, and subdivision:
$100,000 – NCNB Texas National Bank, 1500 W. University Dr., NCNB Subdivision.
Non-Taxable Additions/Repairs
For October 2017, there weretwo non-taxable additions/remodels issued a building permit by the city.
One project was issued a building permit for construction work valued at $100,000 or higher.
The building permits, which do not include the price of the lot, ranged from $5,000 to $1,250,000, and represented a total value of $1,255,000.
The building permit for the one structure valued at $100,000 or higher follows by the value of the construction, name of the owner, address, and subdivision:
$1,250,000 – South Texas Museum, 200 N. Closner Blvd., Edinburg Original Townsite Subdivision.
Non-Taxable New Construction
For October 2017, there was no building permit issued for non-taxable new construction.
UTRGV SCHOOL OF MEDICINE RECEIVES $2 MILLION AWARD FROM KLEBERG FOUNDATION TO INCREASE VALLEY’S PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 was awarded a three-year, $2 million grant from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to recruit and retain primary care physicians to serve as faculty at the School of Medicine and to practice medicine throughout the Valley.
The Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council, along with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and its Board of Directors, lobby the Texas Legislature and the UT System Board of Regents on matters that benefit and protect UTRGV and its School of Medicine, which have major campuses in the city.
With the grant, the School of Medicine plans to recruit 15 to 18 primary care physicians who are expected to see about 15,000 patients per year by 2021. The School of Medicine will recruit physicians who currently are in its sponsored medical residency programs, as well as work to attract primary care physicians from across the state of Texas.
“This generous award embodies the school’s values of service to the community and dedication to improving the health of patients of the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. John H. Krouse, Dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and vice president for Health Affairs at UTRGV. “Through the Kleberg Foundation award, we will be able to improve access to primary care medical services across the Valley.”
The grant will help the School of Medicine assist the physicians it recruits in paying a portion of their salaries, moving and relocation expenses, educational loans, and expenses for continuing medical education, and will encourage their retention though providing assistance to the physicians and their families in relocating to the Valley.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey, in a letter to the foundation, said the foundation’s grant will have a direct impact by increasing the number of physicians practicing in the Valley who become clinical faculty at the School of Medicine.
“This immediate impact also lays the foundation for the School of Medicine to realize its full potential as the primary source and driver of increased access to improved healthcare across the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey wrote.
The UTRGV School of Medicine currently has 101 medical students enrolled in its first two classes. In addition, 139 residents are currently in nine hospital-based training programs throughout the Valley, with the number of residents expected to surpass 200 in 2019, according to UTRGV and School of Medicine officials.
“This gift comes at a very opportune time to help us build the capacity to serve our growing school,” said Felipe C. Salinas, UTRGV director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.
The grant begins on Monday, January 1, 2018, and lasts through Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
About the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Hellen C. Kleberg Foundation
The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation was established in 1950 in Kingsville, Texas, to support the philanthropic interests of its founders. Now based in San Antonio, it has a mission to improve the world through the advancement of knowledge in medical and basic science research, conservation, community services and the arts. To date, over $290M in grants has been awarded with a major focus on medical and basic science research.
About UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.
UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.
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Jennifer L. Berghom contributed to this article. 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/
