Lions Park near completion

Mission’s Lions Park is in the final weeks of construction before the city can reopen it to the public with its new all-inclusive features. 

 

CG5 Architect Charlie Garcia III (formerly ARKiifORM) and RG Enterprises Contractor Rene Garza reported the $5 million project should reach final completion by Oct. 24.

 

 

It has been more than four years since the City of Mission decided to revamp Lions Park and turn it into an accessible playground complete with a splash pad, walking trail, basketball court, exercise area and pavilion. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department funded $1.5 million of the project through a grant, which caused some delay. The city could not proceed with the demolition and construction of specific park elements until the TPWD awarded the Mission with the funds and the site underwent studies.

 

Even though the projected completion date is Oct. 24, the contractor said his team would likely finish sooner.

 

“When it comes to a project of this type of scope, the weather does drastically affect our timeline or our critical path,” Garza said. “So assuming, weather permitting, I’m thinking we should finish sometime in September.” 

 

The initial completion date was this summer. However, city council approved a change order for an additional 60 days earlier in the project, at the request of the RG Enterprises, also known as G&G Contractors.

 

As of Aug. 12, the contractors needed to finish installing various components, including about 15% of the all-inclusive areas, the fabric canopies and other vertical elements of the park. The hike and bike trail was also near completion. After the contractors install all the functional elements of the park, they can move on to the punch list items, which are minor details that do not affect potential park-goers. 

 

“Sometimes there’s little last minute things that’s why we want that little cushion just to ensure contractually we’re OK,” the contractor said. “And to be quite honest, I felt we were entitled to about 200 [additional] days. But we were just in a good place where we were so far ahead that we didn’t need them all. I just need the weather days, which is about 60 days.”

 

 

Councilwoman Jessica Ortega responded to the contractor candidly 

 

“This project is very important to ourselves and to the citizens of Mission,” she said. “And I feel that, as project manager, we need to make sure that we’re dotting our i’s crossing our t’s and moving. I absolutely do not want to wait 200 days. That would be a big no from me.”

 

 

 

When Mission City Council selected G&G for the Lions Park project in May 2023, they expressed concern over G&G’s apparent history of excessive change order requests and project delays with other entities. Councilmember Jessica Ortega was most vocal in her criticism and the lone vote against hiring G&G for the project. 

 

However, the contractor assured Ortega and the council his team would not need the full 60 change order days to finish the project, much less 200. 

 

 

“I just want to show my gratitude for the opportunity because it does mean a lot to us, this park. I know it means a lot to you guys,” the G&G contractor said. “We’ve been pushing really hard since we started. We don’t need many more days but I do want to let you know how much I do appreciate the opportunity because I knew from the beginning the importance of it.” 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Ruben Plata responded in a semi-joking manner. 

 

“And I think we appreciate you,” he said to the contractor. “But we will appreciate you more when you get it done. So go and finish.” 

 

The city council members plan to visit the park Sept. 3 for a walk-through.