Trump Administration Seeks to Replace Current Border Fence in Eagle Pass with ‘Monster’ Fence at $50-70 Million Cost
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council consulted with its legal counsel in Executive Session at its special meeting held on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, regarding discussion of the border wall construction preparation plans in and around the City’s golf course and Shelby Park area and possible legal issues involving same and what legal remedies are available to it.
In an interview with the Eagle Pass Business Journal, Eagle Pass Mayor Luis E. Sifuentes stated the Trump Administration is seeking to commence construction of a replacement border wall in lieu of the current wall surrounding the City Golf Course, two international bridges, Shelby Park, and nearby Río Grande bank area with a much larger-size wall that will not be as aesthetically looking at a cost to the United States taxpayers estimated between $50-70 Million.
Mayor Sifuentes noted that the current border wall is serving its intended purposes and does not need to be torn down and replaced with such a large-scale proposed wall that would be a waste of taxpayers monies. Sifuentes opined that the $50-70 Million estimated cost to replace the existing border wall could be better utilized to completing Loop 480, complete FM 1021 (El Indio Road) from Maverick County to Webb County, and assist local citizens and businesses struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Eagle Pass City Council noted that the City has not yet received the final construction drawings and plans from the private contractor selected by the United States government to construct the Trump border wall in the community and are awaiting receipt of these plans to determine what course of action the City of Eagle Pass will take regarding this controversial project.
Mayor Sifuentes stated that while President Donald J. Trump has made the controversial border wall a signature campaign issue in his administration, incoming President-elect Joe Biden disfavors the construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall and waste of billions of taxpayers monies on said controversial project.
The Eagle Pass City Council is in a David versus Goliath dilemma, but the City Council took no action at the November 17th meeting due to not receiving the final construction plans of the Trump border wall along City-owned real property on the banks of the Río Grande River. The City Council noted that upon receipt of the proposed final construction plans of the Trump replacement border wall, it will meet again to consult with legal counsel to decide what action to take.
One local person familiar with the proposed Trump border replacement wall in Eagle Pass described it as being a “monster”-sized wall that will be an eyesore to local and visiting citizens.
