UTSA representatives, who are helping to develop Eagle Pass’ master plan, were first taken to the constructvion site of the Public Safety Complex, which will house roughly 40 to 50 police vehicles, and 30 fire department vehicles, as well as the neighboring bridge expansion site.
Interim City Manager Robert Gonzalez discussed the danger of having so many parks and softball fields in the area, and plans to move them elsewhere.
“On any particular day of the week you have all these emergency vehicles here and a bridge crossing: sooner or later there’s going to be a tragedy,” said Gonzalez. “We’ve been discussing at an administrative level, what type of a master plan we need to either relocate part of this park area out of here or build a bridge here because something has to be done.”
The tour then took visitors to the Fort Duncan Area, as well as the golf course, which Gonzalez said the city also hoped to relocate to avoid costly maintenance during heavy rains in the often flooded area.
“Keep in mind it’s not going to be done tomorrow, we’re talking about the master plan,” said Gonzalez.
Main Street Project Director Joe Cruz gave examples of the construction to store fronts downtown, including a new pizzeria. The Main Street Project is currently working on four buildings, with construction on two more to begin soon. There have been a total of 34 businesses that have benefitted from the project since 2012.
“Life has been injected back [into the area],” said English Cantú who added that there would also be installation of historic lighting as well as murals. “We’re starting to see an interest.”
A stop at the Public Library revealed the progress of long awaited renovations to the building including tiled floors and exposed brick, while also opening up space for a conference room and other places for citizens to use and enjoy.
Just past the intersection of Bibb Street and Veteran’s Boulevard, near Eagle Pass Dry Cleaners, Gonzalez spoke about the possibility of having US Highway 57 reaching the area someday.
The tour finished with a glimpse of Loop 480 via Highway 57, and lastly, a brief stop at the International Center for Trade.