Feature Illustration: A concept rendering of the “Wings over the Valley” shading superstructure that will arch over the Center for Urban Ecology. Courtesy: Overland Partners.
Posted: 9-7-2021
by Adolfo Pesquera
McAllen (Hidalgo County) — The McAllen City Commission is awaiting a final approval from the McAllen Independent School District trustees on their participating in the expansion of the Quinta Mazatlan.
On Aug. 30, the MISD Board of Trustees voted in concept on a memorandum of understanding that was proposed by the City of McAllen. The city’s request was that MISD contribute $4 million to cover the construction cost of the Quinta Mazatlan Discovery Center’s expansion.
The Discovery Center of the World Birding Center is a children’s wing that opened in 2012. The expansion would create a 5-acre outdoor park with teaching pavilions and outdoor classrooms. The 5 acres would be a component of a larger Center for Urban Ecology expansion.
The trustees favored the MOU on condition that the language strengthen the school district’s standing as a partner, and provide stronger assurances as to the educational programs to be provided, as well as more specific terms regarding the admission costs for MISD students. There was already a stipulation in the MOU that MISD students would be charged half the cost that students from other K-12 schools would pay.
A revised version of the memorandum will go back to the trustees this month for a final vote.
Meanwhile, the City Commission took action on a different component of the expansion during their Aug. 23 regular session. The commissioners directed staff to submit a grant request to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration seeking funding for the Quinta Mazatlan’s “Wings over the Valley” superstructure.
The superstructure is a unique architectural bridge-like shade structure designed by Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Overland Partners and Megamorphosis—see VBX article of Oct. 8, 2019. Aside from its aesthetics, it will serve as a monument over the buildings, representing the migration of both people and wildlife to the region.
While it is a visualization intended to represent natural beauty, the construction also serves to provide shaded areas throughout the complex. The wings are integral to protecting patrons and students from the sun.
The superstructure’s estimated cost is $7,646,514. The grant request is for $6,372,095. There would be a local 20% match of $1,274,419.
A key incentive to getting the school board’s participation was the involvement of the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, which has had a a partnership with the city since 2016 to do sustainable urban ecology research at Quinta Mazatlan. The UTRGV College of Sciences has been using the birding center as a laboratory for student driven research in sustainable urban development, with a focus on biology and agriculture.
As a city facility, Quinta Mazatlan began as an event center. Historic buildings on site have long been booked for wedding receptions and other social events. It is also an urban sanctuary that provides wildlife habitat.
adolfo@virtualbx.com
