New McAllen library plans unveiled
McALLEN — When it comes to funding the construction of McAllen’s new main library, city leaders don’t plan to put the decision before voters.
Next month, city commissioners will consider allowing McAllen to issue $30 million in “certificates of obligation” to raise money to make over the former Walmart building at 4001 N. 23rd St. — a funding route that sidesteps voters.
A certificate of obligation, or CO, is a type of debt instrument used to finance capital improvement projects. It is backed by the full faith and credit of the government entity and is fully payable from a property tax levy; however, it differs from what is commonly called a general obligation, or GO, bond in that CO debt can be issued without voter approval.
McAllen would use about $20 million for the library. The other $10 million would shore up funding for improvements to the city’s public water system and community centers.
On Monday, commissioners approved the final plans for the $28 million makeover of the former Walmart, okaying revised blueprints that feature an auditorium, skylights and a front entrance with a pool and a lush garden of palm trees.
“It’s going to be a very visible asset and an aesthetically pleasing place,” Mayor Richard Cortez said.
Since 2006, when the city purchased the building for $5 million, McAllen library director José Gámez has been planning the renovation — a process that was briefly derailed in 2008 over concerns it was too expensive when an initial estimate of $14 million grew to more than $23 million.
About half of the 128,000-square-foot building will house books, with the remaining space devoted to study areas, a computer lab and a section for genealogy research, among other amenities, according to the blueprints.
McAllen-based Boultinghouse Simpson Architects and Minneapolis-based MS&R created the plans. The total cost for the design phase was about $1.8 million, Gámez said.
“They were completed up to the last minute,” Gámez said of the plans. “If we had had more time, we’d still be making changes.”
City commissioners are expected to consider the certificates of obligation at their May 10 meeting at City Hall. Gámez said construction could begin as early as June if funding is secured.
Commissioners are set to decide Monday among nine companies that bid on the construction contract. Thursday night, Gámez and the city’s library committee were reviewing and scoring the bids, preparing to make a final recommendation to commissioners next week.
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Sean Gaffney covers McAllen, business, the economy and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4434.
