Edinburg Council Moves Forward with $6.2M Downtown Parking Garage Project
Arnoldo Mata
EDINBURG TX — Edinburg officials are moving ahead with the design development phase of a long-planned downtown parking garage, following a presentation Tuesday that confirmed the $6.2 million project remains on schedule and within budget.
The three-level structure, which will include 267 parking spaces, is intended to alleviate downtown parking shortages. The project, which faced early planning setbacks, was revived through a design-build process aimed at cost containment and expedited delivery.
Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. acknowledged concerns from residents and emphasized that while funding was secured in 2021, key elements such as design and feasibility assessments were delayed until after the current council and administration took office.
Garza also voiced concerns from residents that the number of parking spaces would not adequately meet the need. Another concern was that retail shops originally proposed when the project was first proposed are not included in the current design.
A previous design that included retail space on the ground floor was scrapped due to cost. That version came in at roughly $15.6 million — more than double the current budget. Project leaders said retail additions significantly increase structural, mechanical, and design requirements.
“There was no feasibility done (when it was first proposed) as to how much parking we were going to need, or what it was going to take,” Garza said. “It would’ve been nice to have had an assessment to better understand the budget from the start.”
City staff and consultants from Brownstone Consultants and Broaddus Construction outlined the schematic design, which includes two stairwells, a three-level elevator, lighting throughout, and wayfinding signage. The current design actually exceeds the initial target of 256 parking spaces, gaining 11 spots through efficiency adjustments.
When asked about possible costs to increase the number of spots dramatically, up to 500 spaces, the consultants offered a potential cost of up to $12M or more. The $6.2M budget is tied to bonds the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation issued with the support of the City Council when the project was first initiated.
Joseph Gonzalez of Broaddus Construction said the project is entering its design development phase this month. Bids for precast concrete components are due July 15, with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) expected to be presented to the City Council by early September. Construction is anticipated to begin in late September and last about 12 to 13 months, completing by November 2026.
The design-build method, a first for the city, offers a single point of responsibility for both design and construction. City Engineer Mardoqueo Hinojosa noted that the approach limits cost overruns and change orders, helping ensure the project stays within budget.
The Council voted unanimously to authorize the next phase.
“This project is much needed in this community,” said one council member. “It won’t solve every parking issue, but it’s a big step forward.”