McAllen City Commission Reviews Park Expansion, Airport Terminal Plans; Honors City Secretary at June 22 Meetings
McAllen, McAllen City Commission, Lark Community Center, Miller International Airport, terminal expansion, Denny Meline, Parks and Recreation, Perla Lara, city secretary, Texas Municipal Clerks Association, America 250, July 4th, rezoning, Halff and Associates, golf course, Pepsi
Staff Report
McAllenTX - The McAllen City Commission held a workshop and regular meeting Monday, June 22, 2026, covering a proposed park expansion near the Lark Community Center, an update on terminal expansion plans at Miller International Airport, recognition of the city secretary’s office, a proclamation marking the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence, and several action items.
Workshop: Lark Community Center Park Expansion
Parks and Recreation Director Denny A. Meline presented conceptual designs for a new park on approximately 32 gross acres, or 26 net acres, acquired north of the Lark Community Center. The property is divided into a 19-acre west plat and a 7-acre east plat by a drainage ditch, with about six acres of adjacent land not purchased by the city designated for retail along 23rd Street.
Meline told commissioners the conceptual design grew out of discussions held in 2023 and 2025 and reflects recommendations from the city’s updated 2023 master plan, as well as input from city commissioners on amenities they would like to see.
“Thank you for allowing me to present this new vision for McAllen,” Meline said. “Today’s workshop goes back. We actually met in 2023 and then in 2025 to bring a conceptual design of a new vision for McAllen.”
The conceptual layout, which Meline noted is not to scale, includes the following proposed amenities:
A recreation center of approximately 40,000 square feet, featuring four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts, a 10,000-square-foot synthetic turf area with batting cages, a climbing wall, pickleball courts, spectator seating, locker rooms, and a small conference room
An aquatic complex with a lazy river, children’s play area, an eight-lane 50-meter pool with four lanes of 25 meters, cabana seating, and shade structures
A 12- to 16-court tennis center with championship seating, designed for tournament and open play
An 18-hole miniature golf course on less than one acre using synthetic turf, with a staffed facility building
A dog park with decomposed granite and synthetic turf amenities for both large and small dogs
An open green space with a small stage, synthetic turf with field markings for informal play, in-ground trampolines, and water fountains
A splash pad, playground area, and ninja warrior course
Sculptures and butterfly gardens with native plantings
A perimeter walking trail
Approximately 500 parking spaces
Decorative steel fencing, LED lighting, wayfinding signage, and plaza gathering space
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil noted that the park property to the south, adjacent to the existing Lark Community Center, could also be incorporated into the overall vision and that not all amenities need to be confined to the newly acquired acreage.
Commissioners offered feedback during the presentation. One commissioner praised the plan but cautioned against overcrowding the site.
“I would just caution about maybe trying to fit too much in and making sure that you’re providing enough space for each of the different components so that it’s not a 50-50 experience for any one of the components,” the commissioner said.
Commissioners also raised questions and suggestions including:
Adding a perimeter running trail, which Meline confirmed is included in the plan
Incorporating a bus stop and improving walkability and bike lane access to the site
Considering naming rights and sponsorships for the sculpture garden
Evaluating long-term maintenance costs, particularly for the lazy river and miniature golf course
Exploring the possibility of retrofitting some tennis courts for pickleball competition use
Maximizing the eight-lane pool for potential tournament use, including seating capacity that could attract events such as the Games of Texas
Tawil said design funding will be included in the upcoming budget and that construction cost estimates will follow once conceptual drawings are developed.
Separately, Meline noted that five pickleball courts are planned for installation at McAllen Youth Baseball Complex, utilizing green space near the Miracle Field. That project has already received city manager approval.
Workshop: Miller International Airport Terminal Expansion
The commission received an update on terminal expansion plans at Miller International Airport. The airport’s director of aviation, Jeremy Santoscoy, presented findings from a terminal capacity study initiated in 2024 following what he described as the largest growth period in the airport’s history.
The proposed expansion includes:
Four additional gates, bringing the total to 10
Approximately 114,000 square feet of new construction, with a priority phase of about 80,000 square feet
Expanded baggage claim area
Additional restrooms pre- and post-security
A new concourse with gate lounges and concession spaces
Expansion of the mechanical room on the east side
A future security checkpoint expanded from three to five lanes
Replacement of existing bomb detection equipment in phases
Decoupling of the shared jet bridge currently serving two gates simultaneously
The design team reduced the original footprint by approximately 10,000 square feet by scaling back concession spaces and exploring interior expansion of the ticketing lobby rather than building outward to the west.
Three facade options were presented for a central terminal renovation described as a “wow factor”:
Option 1: Large windows, expansive glazing, a raised roofline, and weathering steel exterior, removing the existing tower, described as the most visually striking option
Option 2: A scaled-back version that raises the roof and removes the tower but with a lower ceiling height on the north-facing expansion
Option 3: Minimal exterior changes, maintaining the existing building’s appearance while still adding interior capacity
Commissioners responded favorably to Option 1. The presenter noted that the wow factor costs would not be eligible for FAA funding, which covers 90% of eligible terminal expenses with a 10% local match.
On parking, the presenter reported that newly approved lots will add approximately 230 spaces, bringing the total to more than 1,600 stalls across short-term, long-term, and employee lots. A new lot of 197 public stalls west of the terminal will include a bus stop. The presenter noted that surface parking costs approximately $4,000 per stall compared to $14,000 to $17,000 per stall for a structured parking garage.
Discussion of the Federal Inspection Station relocation and rental car facility was deferred to executive session.
Regular Meeting: America 250 Proclamation and July 4th Events
At the regular meeting, Commissioner Joaquin Samora presented a proclamation recognizing July 4, 2026, as the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, also referred to as the semiquincentennial.
Parks and Recreation staff outlined the following schedule for McAllen’s July 4th celebration, described as the city’s 98th Independence Day celebration:
7 a.m. - 4K Independence Run
8 a.m. - Patriotic program on Main Street
9 a.m. - Independence Day Parade
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Freedom Festival at Archer Park
10 a.m. - Daughters of the American Revolution rock dedication and wreath laying ceremony marking the 250th anniversary
1 to 4 p.m. - Aquatica Extravaganza at the municipal pool
5 p.m. - Reading of the Declaration of Independence at Municipal Park
6 to 10 p.m. - Concert in the Sky with live entertainment, family activities, and a fireworks finale
Mara Lee Moats, regent of the Rio Grande Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, addressed the commission and expressed gratitude to Mayor Javier Villalobos, the City Commission, and Parks and Recreation staff for planning events for the occasion.
Parks and Recreation staff also announced a liberty tree planting at Municipal Park scheduled for July 1, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Regular Meeting: City Secretary’s Office Honored
City Manager Tawil announced that City Secretary Perla Lara and her office received the Municipal Clerks Achievement of Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Clerks Association. McAllen was one of 42 cities out of more than 1,200 in Texas to receive the recognition.
“People don’t realize how busy the city secretary’s office is on a daily basis,” Tawil said. “To be one of 42 out of over 1,200 is quite an accomplishment, and we are very, very proud of that office.”
Lara accepted the award before the commission.
“This recognition reflects the dedication and professionalism of our team,” Lara said. “Each day, they uphold the highest standards in records management, conducting elections, public information records, open meetings, and they support our boards and commissions.”
Regular Meeting: Rezoning Approvals
The commission approved the following rezoning items, which had previously gone before the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2:
M2 to R2 at 11401 N. 10th St., south of State Highway 107
C3L to R3A at 2315 S. McCall, north of Yuma
Conditional use permit for a church at 2100 Fir Ave., between N. 21st and N. 22nd streets
Conditional use permit for a welding shop at 601 E. Beaumont, south of Business 83
City-initiated rezoning of 251 parcels
The commission also approved an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance.
Regular Meeting: Action Items
The commission approved the following additional items:
Award of a professional services contract to Halff and Associates for a hydrologic analysis related to the McAllen new golf course, in the amount of $110,500
Renewal of a pouring rights agreement with Pepsi, described by staff as a more favorable agreement than the city’s previous contract
Consent agenda items A through K