Businessman Federico Palacios (center) is named as a “hometown hero” during Tuesday’s Edinburg City Council meeting. Palacios also was recognized by the Texas House of Representatives for his years of public service. Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER
The Edinburg City Council on Tuesday recognized UTRGV’s achievements and businessman Federico “Fred” Palacios as a hometown hero, but did not approve motions for support of development funding from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for two senior housing projects.
Councilmembers honored Palacios as a hometown hero.
State Rep. Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) presented the businessman with a certificate of recognition from the state and a flag that was flown over the Capitol with a certification in his honor.
Palacios has been a part of multiple businesses and has served the City of Edinburg through the Planning and Zoning Board for over 15 years and the Economic Development Corp.
The Council honored UTRGV for its state and nationwide rankings, as requested by Richard P. Sanchez, associate president of Governmental Relations at UTRGV.
Washington Monthly has ranked UTRGV as No. 1 among all Texas universities and No. 60 among all universities nationwide based on three main criteria: social mobility, public service and research.
A motion to approve a resolution seeking support and commitment of development funding to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 9% housing tax credits for Magnolia Apartments failed in a 2-2 vote. Madhouse Development, in care of Avanti Legacy Magnolia LP, made the request for Magnolia Apartments.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel “Dan” Diaz made a motion to approve the request for Magnolia Apartments, and it was seconded by Mayor Ramiro Garza.
“The reason I wanted to highlight project A is because we’ve always talked about trying to develop projects on the east side,” Diaz said. “… Development for senior living … is obviously something that our community needs.”
A resolution seeking the same request for Highland Senior Villas did not generate a motion, so Garza moved on to the next item on the agenda.
Both projects are stand-alone applications that asked for itemized resolutions. Both projects asked the city for a resolution of support and a $500 waiver of building and permit fees for the developments.
Claudia Farias, the city’s interim director of Grants Administration, said the application is a highly competitive program run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
“Without the resolution, the application will not move forward for both,” Farias said.
