port of entry,” Mayor Perea explains. While previous attempts by the city to secure the presidential permit were unsuccessful, current efforts have gained unprecedented traction. “During my tenure, I think this is the closest we have ever been to actually obtaining the presidential permit.” Significant progress has already been made on the Mexican side of the border.“This is an official project now on the Mexican side. It has a federal registry number, so this project is eligible for funding on the Mexican side,” Mayor Perea notes. However, the U.S. side of the process requires additional steps.“Where we’re falling behind is on the American side right now. We’re waiting for the federal government to do the environmental review.” For Mayor Perea, this project holds special significance, bookending his tenure as mayor.“That’s the biggest project that I came in trying to address when I started in 2012. And that’s the one thing I want to finish before I leave the mayorship,” he says. 1249 Futurity Drive Sunland Park, Nm 88063 www.westernplayland.com 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02
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