EDINBURG, Texas – Edinburg City Council member Daniel ‘Dan’ Diaz says his city is expanding so fast it is hard to keep up with all the events related to that growth.
That, perhaps, is not surprising because, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Edinburg is the fastest growing city in the Rio Grande Valley, with a population now greater than 100,000.
Diaz points out that in the day time the city attracts an additional 50,000 workers. He said there are around 100 new neighborhoods either being built or permitted to be built.
“There are so many events every day during the week. You literally could go to a groundbreaking or a ribbon-cutting in the city just about every day. And I’m just blessed to be able to do that. I’m blessed to be part of this community,” Diaz said.
Diaz gave an exclusive interview to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service at the conclusion of a groundbreaking ceremony for a new recreation park that is being built next to De Zavala Elementary School in northwest Edinburg.
During the interview Diaz said he and his city council colleagues have “a lot of firsts” happening right now.
“The city council had a joint meeting with the school district. That hadn’t happened in a decade. We’re doing more projects together. We’re talking about future,” Diaz said.
“And, just here I saw (Hidalgo County) Commissioner Ellie Torres, (Edinburg CISD President) Mike Farias and the mayor (Ramiro Garza) talking about another park in another area that will include the county as a partner. So, just a lot of positive energy. We’re here to make it happen and I’m just blessed to be part of this team.”
South Texas International Airport
With the legislative session about to start in Austin, Diaz was asked what is on Edinburg’s legislative agenda. He said he personally hopes additional funding is found to expand South Texas International Airport in north Edinburg.
“A dream sheet is a term we use a lot in the military, like in your dream sheet, where do you want to be stationed? A dream sheet item for me is if we could expand our airport, expand the runway, we could eventually get cargo… and that would just transform that whole region.”
It was put to Diaz that if Edinburg’s airport was expanded it would be good timing given that the eagerly anticipated State Highway 68, going from Donna to Edinburg, will be linking up to I-69 Central close by.
“It all ties in with the proposed new bridge going to the (South Padre) Island with the proposed two loops coming from the border to I-69 that will be just be south of the airport. How beautiful would it be if we could expand our runway and have cargo coming from all over from Mexico and other countries to land in Edinburg and ship from there, with all the all the loops. It is just a perfect synergistic thing that would transform that whole area.”
Editor’s Note: Here is the interview with Council member Diaz:
Video
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