Mike Garza

After closing doors of previous branch due to structural issues in 2006, new building promises to be state-of-the-art facility that will promote reading

Early today, City of Laredo officials, joined by several members of the community, including librarians and students, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new South Branch Library. After structural issues with the building forced the closure of the south branch library in 2006, South Laredo had been without the services or facility of a true library in the area. Making this a priority, the Laredo City Council allocated $3.233 million in 2006, 2008 and 2009 Certificates of Obligation Bonds, $1,341 million in Community Development Block Grants, as well as an additional $94,809 from Capital Improvements needed for construction. The total cost of the new library will be $4,669,814.

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Earlier today, District I Council Member Mike Garza City and the City  of Laredo Community  Development Department hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Nicolasa Ubaldo Residence, thanks to federal dollars of the Community Development Block Grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.  Ubaldo’s home was destroyed earlier this year in a fire; Cm. Garza used federal funds that had previously been designated for other projects in his district for the housing rehab, since the need was so dramatic.  At today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, students from Cigarroa High School ROTC and Choir Club participated in the ceremony.

Earlier today, District I Council Member Mike Garza, joined by Mayor Raul G. Salinas, various City of Laredo directors and staff and representatives from Crane Engineering Corp. and Whitestone Construction, Ltd., officially broke ground on the Merida Drive Extension Project, hoping to alleviate some of the traffic congestion problems for people who work and live in the Los Presidentes and Independence Hills subdivisions, as well as for United South High School and the future Independence Hills Regional Park.  The project will connect Merida Drive to provide a north-south collector to Bob Bullock Loop 20.  The total cost of the project is over $2.4 million with a construction calendar timeline of 220 days, approximately 10 months.  Funding is available in the 2009 Certificate of Obligation bonds and approximately 25% from federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Official ribbon-cutting ceremony to Celebrate extension project  

WHO:             Cm. Mike Garza, District I - City of Laredo Officials and Administration

WHAT:          Ejido Avenue extension ribbon-cutting ceremony

WHEN:       Thursday, September 9, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:       Intersection of Cielito Lindo Blvd. and Ejido Ave., across from LBJ High School

WHY:             The City of Laredo is proud to announce its plans to enhance traffic mobility in the southern sector of Laredo with the completion of the Ejido Avenue Extension project, extending Ejido Avenue from San Nicolas Drive to Cielito Lindo Boulevard. This will provide an alternative north/south route for both the local and regional community in South Laredo and will further provide smoother traffic flow on both Ejido and Highway 83. An added benefit of the project will be the potential for further commercial and residential development along both roadways. 

The project constructed a 65 ft. wide roadway, approximately 3,100 linear feet, with pavement, earthwork, drainage, curb and gutter, water and wastewater facilities, a traffic signal, and traffic signs. The total cost for this project was $2,347,390.89 and was funded through both 2008 Community Development Block Grant-Recovery funds of $975,026, received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and through City of Laredo Certificate of Obligation bond sale funds of $1,372,364.89.

The design of the extension was prepared by Mactec Engineering and Consulting, Inc., of Laredo, Texas, and was constructed by Whitestone Construction, Ltd., also of Laredo, Texas. “I am very excited and happy that the Ejido Avenue extension project is finally a reality,” said Cm. Garza, District I, in whose district the project lies. “I have known for a long time that mobility is the single biggest issue in South Laredo, so I am very excited to see the relief this project will give to the people who live and have to struggle with the congestion along the Highway 83 South corridor.  The Ejido extension will relieve the traffic and congestion that thousands of people deal with on a daily basis,” he concluded happily.

Prior to the start of tonight’s City Council meeting, City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas proclaimed the week National Neighborworks Week in Laredo, praising the work of the Laredo-Webb NHS, to help local families achieve, or hold on, their American dream of owning a home.

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Earlier tonight, City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas and Members of the Laredo City Council recognized some outstanding youth in the city, youngsters who are doing their best to Laredo on the map and representing our fair city throughout the state and nation.

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