The proposed East Loop was the topic of a meeting at the Historic Brownsville Museum intended to inform the public and let residents air their thoughts to project officials. More than 50 residents attended the gathering, which included members of the city planning department and the Texas Department of Transportation. The meeting was but the first step in the proposed plan, said project consultant John Hudson who tried to assure residents that their ideas would be taken seriously. It would help give access to downtown and UTB-TSC, which is expected to continue growing. Many of those commenting at the meeting were from the Fort Brown Villas.
Some residents fear losing the area s tranquility to the traffic.
Daniel Takemoto, who lives in the Fort Brown area, said that the proposed project should go through the university campus since UTB-TSC will benefit from the expanded roadway. Another resident suggested the project use Gorgas Drive instead of East Elizabeth Street. Gorgas Drive is on the university campus across the resaca. But it is still at its starting point and needs an environmental impact study that will have to meet state and federal guidelines. Environmental, drainage and other concerns still have to be looked at.