Harlingen developer offers land to build Valley veterans hospital

HARLINGEN — Local homebuilder and developer Ray Gonzalez said government officials have given Rio Grande veterans the runaround about a veterans hospital for too long.

Gonzalez, owner of Gonzalez Homes and Gonzalez Development and treasurer for the Harlingen Area Builders Association, has offered to donate about four to five acres of land in Harlingen for a veterans hospital.

The lot is located in the western part of the city and faces Chester Park Road off of Spur 54 near Palm Court Drive, Gonzalez said. It is currently valued at about $200,000, he added.

“I’m not a veteran but I’ve experienced this (lack of a Valley veterans hospital) through friends and nephews,” Gonzalez said. “Wars are not nice and there are casualties. The government isn’t doing as much as they could for these guys. They’re giving them the runaround.”

Gonzalez plans to meet today with U.S. Reps. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, and Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, to talk about the possible land donation.

“Maybe they can shed some light … on how to make the (donation) so we can at least have a good chance of being a good candidate for the site” Gonzalez said.

He said he would be glad to donate the land, because the hospital not only would help veterans but also might help the city’s economy.

“By having a veterans hospital here, maybe veterans will come shop here, maybe some will relocate here, and it will also bring doctors, nurses and other businesses,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not all about building restaurants and shopping centers. We also need something to take care of people. I just want to do something that makes a difference here in Harlingen.”

Gonzalez said Harlingen is the ideal location for a Valley veterans hospital because it is centrally located and has access to Highway 77/83. The city also has Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley International Airport, he added.

“I just feel something should be done,” Gonzalez said. “I hope this is not a one-man battle, but if it has to be, I’m willing to take it on. We need to generate growth as individuals — everyone is waiting for others to do something. We need to make the hospital happen.”

Gonzalez said he has had support for his efforts from other local builders and developers as well as other individuals. He hopes city officials also will get involved in the cause.

“I’m just trying to make a good gesture and I’m not asking for anything in return,” Gonzalez said. “I know what I have to do, and I have to donate the land for the hospital.”