McALLEN — City commissioners voted unanimously Monday to hold a bond election on May 5, which will consist of two propositions totaling $25 million.
Proposition A is $22 million for constructing drainage improvements. Proposition B is $3 million toward traffic improvements, including equipment for street light equipment.
When the commission initially discussed a potential bond election in August, Mayor Jim Darling said he wanted to see an eco-tourism proposition and sports tourism proposition as part of this bond election. Those proposals did not gain traction.
Early voting for May’s election will take place April 23 through May 1 at Fireman’s Pump House, Palm View Community Center and Lark Community Center.
City Engineer Yvette Barrera estimated the two projects will take at least between three and five years to construct.
“Really?” Commissioner John Ingram said.
“Does it involve a baseball field or what?” Darling said, sounding surprised.
Darling was alluding to the previous bond election the city held, in 2013, which has seen some serious delays. Voters passed three propositions in that election, one of which was for $15 million toward a youth baseball complex.
The complex is not yet complete. It is expected to be ready within coming weeks.
That 2013 election totaled $45 million. One proposition was for street improvements, another was for the Performing Arts Center and the final proposition was for the youth baseball complex. Currently, only the PAC has been fully completed.
