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HARLINGEN — New businesses are opening while housing starts jumped as the city’s finances are standing “strong and robust” amid the city’s “transformation,” Mayor Norma Sepulveda told a packed audience during a rousing State of the City address capping her first year in office.
Before a sold-out audience of 800 at the Harlingen Convention Center June 15, Sepulveda presided over the first mayoral address for which taxpayers didn’t foot the bill, which sponsors helped pay.
Meanwhile, the event’s proceeds will help the Family Crisis Center, Texas Ramp Project, the Children’s Bereavement Center, Loaves and Fishes and the Literacy Center of Harlingen.
While the evening event allowed more working residents to attend, Sepulveda’s lively delivery stirred the audience, which included many of the region’s elected officials.
“Today, on this gorgeous evening in the city of Harlingen, I am happier than ever to report that the state of our city is strong, robust and thriving,” she told the crowd as she stood on a long stage, microphone in hand, under dazzling blue lighting.
At City Hall, officials overseeing the general fund have amassed a $30.59 million cash reserve while trimming the tax rate by 1.35 cents, Sepulveda said.
“Today, I stand before you with an optimistic vision for the future of our city,” she said. “It is my distinct honor to share with you, not only how we are working diligently to transform our city, but also how each of you play a critical and significant role in this endeavor to transform Harlingen into a community-centered city. We are on the cusp of an exciting and promising new chapter, one in which our city is emerging as a shining example of community-centered living, as we unite as one Harlingen — for all.”
City’s first woman mayor
The speech capped Sepulveda’s first year in office as the first woman to serve as mayor.
“It is crucial for our society to continually work towards gender equality, to encourage and empower women and girls to pursue leadership roles in various sectors, including within our local government,” she said. “To the female leaders in this room today, by being trailblazers, you are inspiring young girls, like the Girl Scouts present today, to dream big and believe that they, too, can reach their goals and take up positions of responsibility and leadership.”
New businesses
The city’s booming, Sepulveda said as she announced new businesses including car dealerships and an Academy Sports and Outdoor store are opening.
“I am excited to share that we are witnessing an unprecedented surge in economic growth,” she said. “It is with immense pride that I announce a milestone — four car dealerships are currently under construction, marking a monumental first in our history.”
“The cumulative impact of these five remarkable projects alone account for over $54 million in construction activity in Harlingen,” she said. “This not only exemplifies the strength and vitality of our city’s economy but also reinforces our position as a desirable destination for business growth and development.”
While 13 more businesses, including a Fairfield Hotel and a Black Bear Diner, account for a total $23.3 million investment, Sepulveda announced 19 businesses are under construction, including Central Plumbing and Electric and Buffalo Wings and Rings, with a total construction value of $10.4 million.
Soon, the city’s making way for the county’s first Aguilar’s Meat Market, she said, while Stefano’s Brooklyn Pizza is re-opening after fire gutted the popular restaurant in late 2021.
Meanwhile, six businesses have opened including Jersey Mike’s Subs, Party City and Dutch Bros Coffee, with a total construction value of $2.6 million, she said.
Now, former NFL star quarterback Drew Brees is opening Walk On’s Restaurant Sports Bistreaux and Bar, “a distinguished sports bar and restaurant” which “combines the best of sports, food and entertainment,” she said.
Building permits jumping
Last year, subdivisions shot up 57%, with commercial building sites soaring by 148% amid a 94% surge in residential lots, Sepulveda said.
“The city has been riding a new wave of economic prosperity,” she told the crowd. “It’s a clear indication that businesses are booming, construction is booming and our community is booming with opportunity. With all these dynamic elements in place, we are on the cusp of an extraordinary economic boom that promises boundless excitement and even more opportunities for our community. We are witnessing Harlingen’s remarkable rise.”
From May 2022 through April, the city’s issued 272 residential building permits with a total construction value of $50.9 million while issuing 36 multi-family housing permits with a total construction value of $10.9 million, she said.
“When we consider all the building permits issued, we are at $124.7 million, making this the highest value of building permits issued in the past 12 years,” she said. “The growing number of residents is a tremendous asset to our city and we welcome those who want to move into our community with open arms. These numbers are a testament to the thriving economic landscape of our city.”
In part, Sepulveda attributed the growth to the city commission’s work with developers, engineers and contractors to revise the city’s Subdivision Development Guide along with its subdivision ordinance.
Meanwhile, the city’s Insurance Services Office rating dropped from an ISO 3 to an ISO 2, leading to lower home and business fire insurance rates, she said.
Port of Harlingen
At the Port of Harlingen, where tonnage has climbed 240% since 2017, officials are reporting a 9% boost in commodities, reaching a total of 3.2 million tons during the last year, Sepulveda said.
Meanwhile, tax revenue’s soared by 114%, from $17 million to $36.38 million between 2018 and 2022, she said.
With a $3.9 million grant aimed at modernizing the port, officials are planning to renovate its main dock and moorings, she said.
Community-centered city
During her first year in office, Sepulveda said she wanted to reach into the community to let residents speak out, calling a series of town hall meetings within the city’s five districts “to directly engage with the people and ensure that their voices were heard.”
“Over the past year we have prioritized listening to our community and their needs,” she said. “My administration recognized the significance of engaging with the community, which led us to organize town halls and listening sessions to gather valuable insights. We are aware that many of our citizens may understandably feel disconnected from their local government. However, the essence of democracy lies in the opportunity for active participation.”
Meanwhile, officials worked with the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley to conduct a survey aimed at targeting “the needs and concerns of our community.”
“Indeed, we actively listened to the many praises and concerns raised by our residents, which led us to identify areas that required immediate improvements as well as issues that warranted more of a comprehensive plan for resolution,” she said. “Other concerns brought to light included lack of street lighting, streets, drainage, animal control services, hurdles in starting a small business and the condition of our golf course.”
In response, the city installed 14 streetlights while applying for a $147,000 grant aimed at changing over to LED lighting as part of a project installing a total of 49 streetlights, she said.
Street projects
As part of a $1.6 million project, the city upgraded nine streets this year, paving a total of 11.3 miles since 2022, she said, adding crews are working on three more streets.
For an upcoming $1.6 million project, crews are targeting 11 more streets across the city’s five districts, she said.
Drainage upgrades
In the region, officials are targeting drainage upgrades as a top priority, Sepulveda said.
“To address this issue, we focused our legislative efforts at both the state and federal level on drainage,” she said. “We worked closely with our state delegation to draft and file bills in both the House and Senate to drive dollars to our region for drainage.”
During the past Legislative session, State Rep. Janie Lopez and State Sen. Morgan Lamantia pushed for a bill aimed at upgrading drainage in the Valley, Sepulveda said.
“This is a huge win for our region, as this bill is the first in Texas history that formally recognizes artificial drainage systems,” she said. “The Texas Water Development Board will be conducting a study and preparing a written report on the challenges communities, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley, face.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez helped push for $1.38 million to upgrade drainage along the Fifth and Seventh Street areas, she said.
Sewer upgrades
Facing an aging sewer system, commissioners have earmarked $7.7 million from the city’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act to replace failing sewer stations, Sepulveda said.
Grant funding
At City Hall, Ana Hernandez, who oversees the city’s special projects, helped raise $5 million worth of grants to fund a project redesigning Commerce Street into a four-lane roadway with upgraded drainage, Sepulveda said.
Grant money also funded a $1.9 million project aimed at widening storm sewer lines along Ninth and 13th Streets, she said.
Last month, officials completed a project aimed at upgrading drainage in the city’s western stretch while they’re planning to build a regional detention pond in the Lozano Street area made up of about 327 homes, she said.
In the Harlingen Heights and East City View areas, officials are planning to install 3,600 feet of storm sewer lines, while in the downtown area they’ve added two storm sewer lines along with four inlets, she said.
Small business grants
To help small business owners, the city’s offering grants, Sepulveda said.
At the city’s Economic Development Corporation, officials are setting aside $500,000 to add to a nonprofit’s $1.5 million share to establish a $2 million pool aimed at funding revolving loans of up to $350,000, she said.
Animal control
This year, the city set aside $287,000 to help the Harlingen Humane Society expand its project aimed at spaying and neutering pets, she said.
“We support their efforts to provide adoption services for those pets looking for their forever homes,” she said.
Transforming Harlingen
During her first year in office, Sepulveda said the city’s transforming.
“Through the visionary leadership of the commission and city management, we have spearheaded crucial policy and procedural changes that have made significant progress in transforming Harlingen into a thriving, business-friendly city that focuses on our community first,” she told the audience. “We stand at a pivotal moment, fueled by the energy and passion to carry this momentum forward. There is still much work to be done, dreams to be realized and lives to be touched. Let us hold onto the belief that our efforts can shape a brighter future for all who call this city home. Together, we will continue to build a community that thrives, uplifts and inspires.”
