Will the University of Texas System Act Honorably in the Lincoln Park Matter?

As easy as snatching pan dulce from the hands of a baby, the University of Texas System could add Brownsville's 48 acre Lincoln Park to their real estate portfolio, but it would not be right, ethical or honorable.  

Huge Tract of Land Owned by UT
on University Blvd.

UT has no actual need for the land parcel, no current plans for building on it.  The eastern satellite of UT-RGV will likely have a smaller school population than the former UT-Brownsville, and has seen its administration transferred west to Edinburg.  Ample land for new buildings exist, not only across the street from the park, but in a huge tract of land on University Blvd. across the Interstate.   An official involved in the separation of properties between UT and TSC  confirmed that not only does UT NOT need Lincoln Park, numerous spaces already exist on campus for new buildings, if needed.

While UT has no actual need for the 48 acres of Lincoln Park, the poorest neighborhood of the poorest city in the U.S., Southmost, has a critical need for the two ballfields, nature trail, amphitheater, garden center, basketball court and barbecue grills the park provides.  Knowing this, why would an ultra-rich university system, with the means to simply write a check for anything they want or need, be a party to lowering the quality of life for a segment of this overwhelmingly Hispanic community?  

Mayor Tony Martinez

The dumb idea of transferring Lincoln Park actually has leftover momentum from an ill-conceived scheme by Mayor Tony Martinez, likely worked out in private with Juliet Garcia, then rubberstamped by the City Commission.  Martinez bought a dozen third tier downtown buildings for $3,500,000, offering them to UT along with revenue from increased parking meter collections and other incentives including land at "fair market value."  Lincoln Park is part of that original, goofy package, although the $6.5 million transfer price is likely only 1/4 of the actual value.(Our inept City Commissioners are already trying to divvy up the ransom money for their pet projects.) 

The University of Texas was unimpressed with the mayor's property offerings and likely Martinez himself.  Will they do the honorable thing and refuse to be a part of this ripoff of Brownsville taxpayers?