Update on Downtown Parking Garage, RGVU Inter-Campus Travel, Bus Major Repair Rate

To build a football program or a downtown parking garage, someone has to visualize the completed project in their mind's eye to oversee its finalization.  While some have done it before and know the steps along the way like the back of their hand, others, like Andrew Munoz, Assistant Director of Brownsville Metro, learn it on the fly.

No one from the Brownsville Metro shared their notes, but, perusing an idle copy before the meeting Wednesday night, I noticed that the Brownsville Economic Development Council had agreed to cover a $1,000,000 shortfall in the project's financing.

Munoz gave his project report:  The documents necessary to guide the construction should be ready by the end of November 2013.  About that same time P.U.B. will begin moving overhead electrical wire extending from International Boulevard underground at a cost of $300,000. Brownsville's Heritage Department is approving brick color, window types and signage.  Munoz and colleagues are studying gate control systems.  With construction starting February 2014, Munoz expects a completed project by November 2014. (A completed downtown parking garage may not come soon enough to save downtown night clubs started up this year with expectations of safe downtown parking for customers.  After attending the Brownsville Metro meeting, we drove by the newest clubs downtown.  The Kai and the Pure were closed for the night as was The Haven and the Half Moon.  The Bora Bora Ultra Lounge has been shut down for good.)

Norma Zamora, Brownsville Metro's Executive Director reported on the status of Metro Connect, a program to link Brownsville with South Padre Island, McAllen and UTPA in Edinburg slated to begin October 30.  The fare from Brownsville to S.P.I. is projected to be free, subsidized by federal grants and S.P.I. Brownsville to McAllen with a stops at VTC in Harlingen and the Mercedes Outlet Malls will cost $5.00 round trip.  The proposed student rate is $25.00 per month.  This is critical to RGVU students who may have scheduled classes at both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses.  No senior rates apply on the Metro Connect fares between Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen and Edinburg.

We were not privy to the printout details circulated to board members about bus maintenance. Major problems like engine or transmission trouble prevented a bus from finishing its run. February 2013 had 49 major problems.  Minor problems(AC breakdown, minor electrical difficulty, etc.) occurred 93 times in the same month.  The goal of 8,000 service miles between major breakdowns seems very modest.(I would hate to buy a new car and have a major breakdown within 8,000 miles.  Think 1981 Ford Escort.)

All in all, Brownsville Metro is the most hospitable of all of the Brownsville boards.  While the BCIC whispers their comments so as not to be heard by visitors, the GBIC changes their meeting times so as to outrun possible attendees.  When Norma Zamora noticed a full quorum plus visitors, she moved the meeting to a more spacious room.  Board Chairman Daniel Lenz runs the meeting efficiently with board members Roman Perez and Teresa Saldivar asking thoughtful questions.

Once the construction actually starts on the foundation of the parking garage in the Spring of 2014, Brownsville Metro employees working at the multi-modal bus station will have to park to park at UTB/TSC and take a shuttle to work.  The details are currently being ironed out.