Lon C. Hill as super park? City eyes borrowing money to fund regional attraction

HARLINGEN — Plans to turn Lon C. Hill Park into a regional attraction come with a hefty price tag.

City commissioners tomorrow are expected to take the first steps to borrow money to turn the park into a destination park.

In a meeting, commissioners are set to consider approving the publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation to fund the first phase of the project, estimated at $3.8 million, City Manager Dan Serna said yesterday.

Serna said the project will require the approval of the Harlingen Community Improvement Board, which earmarks sales tax revenue for so-called quality of life projects.

As part of a finance plan, the city will borrow money and tap into the Tony Butler Golf Course’s “limited surplus revenues,” according to a notice to issue the certificates of obligation.

The city is counting on locking low interest rates to fund the project, Serna said.

“The interest rates are fluctuating — they come up and come down,” he said. “We’re trying to take advantage of some of the rates.”

Serna said the city plans to sell the certificates in late June.

The project to develop the destination park ranks among the top five priorities in the city’s new 10-year master plan.

Officials plan to draw visitors from across the region to the park on Fair Park Boulevard.

The project’s first phase would feature an amphitheater, an adaptive baseball field, skate park, courtyard, pavilions, playground and walking trail, Serna said.

As part of the project, the city is building a $400,000 “all-inclusive playground” focusing on special needs children.

The Harlingen school district is funding $200,000 of the project planned as the site of field trips.

Serna said the project to develop a destination park could include two or three phases.

The city’s 10-year plan calls for a $12.9 million destination park featuring an amphitheater, adaptive baseball field, athletic courts, a retractable roof over Harlingen Field and other attractions.

Officials have discussed plans to turn Harlingen Field — the longtime home of the defunct Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings — into a large concert venue and a children’s museum doubling as a venue to exhibit local artists’ works.