BROWNSVILLE — Cameron County commissioners are considering the benefits of an amphitheater at Isla Blanca Park.
It could become “a heck of a revenue generator,” County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. said.
That was why the initial plans presented to the commissioners this past week resulted in the consultants agreeing to go back to the drawing board.
“Why wouldn’t we make sure we’re going to build a good facility that is multi-use that can be used for music, dance, theater or whatever it may be?” Treviño said.
The concept would be a large, green area for children and their families to enjoy, with a lot of shade.
The proposed amphitheater would seat somewhere between 1,000 to 2,000 people, depending on the approach, officials said.
State Farm Arena seats about 6,000 but has the potential to seat more people if the ground floor is used, Treviño said.
Pct. 2 County Commissioner Alex Dominguez, at last week’s Commissioners Court meeting, wondered if seating could be built over the water. It was possible, he was told, but would take more time.
“We would need to go through a permitting process. Right now, we’re using a space that has been approved for the project,” Pct. 3 County Commissioner David Garza said.
Debt has to be issued for the project by December, county officials said.
At Wednesday’s meeting, County Administrator David Garcia gave a report on the legislative session.
Senate Bill 2, the revenue cap bill, threatened to hurt funding for local governments across the state. It did not even make it to the legislative calendar.
House Bill 3766 would have cut Hazlewood Act education benefits for veterans and their families. Although the bill made it past the committee, it did not go to the House floor.
“Back in February, thanks to the court, we passed a resolution on bills that would cut veterans’ benefits, and I am proud to say Cameron County led the charge against them,” Pct. 4 County Commissioner Gus Ruiz said.
“We helped save millions of dollars in education for veterans. In the interim … I ask you all to help me (inform) those veterans to use those benefits, because this fight will be back in two years.”
