Laredo officials convene new Rio Grande riverfront advisory committee

The panel will provide recommendations to guide the city's negotiations with federal officials over border infrastructure plans.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:47am

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Laredo officials have convened the first meeting of a new mayoral advisory panel focused on the Rio Grande riverfront. The Rio Grande Riverfront Coordination and Advisory Committee, made up of local business and community leaders, will help guide discussions on city-owned riverfront property as federal border infrastructure planning advances in South Texas. The committee will provide recommendations to the city to inform its negotiations with federal officials, who retain final authority over border infrastructure decisions.

Why it matters

The Rio Grande riverfront is a sensitive area, and the city of Laredo has taken a stance against border walls, especially in these areas. The new advisory committee will play a key role in ensuring the city's priorities around public safety, economic continuity, environmental stewardship, and public access are represented as the federal government moves forward with border infrastructure plans.

The details

The committee's first meeting included a presentation from the city manager outlining five key priorities for riverfront planning: public safety and flood resilience, economic continuity, environmental stewardship, public access, and governance. The committee members, which include local business and community leaders, will meet every other week to provide recommendations to the city as it continues negotiations with federal officials over the border infrastructure plans.

  • The Rio Grande Riverfront Coordination and Advisory Committee held its first meeting on February 28, 2026.
  • The next meeting of the committee is anticipated for March 11, 2026.

The players

Dr. Victor Trevino

The mayor of Laredo who called for the formation of the advisory committee to address riverfront issues.

Joe Neeb

The Laredo city manager who presented the city's framework for riverfront planning to the committee.

Jackson Walker

A Texas-based law firm that the city of Laredo has retained to assist with negotiations related to riverfront matters.

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What they’re saying

“Leadership requires both action and listening, and I hope this committee - despite potential disagreements - reflects those principles.”

— Dr. Victor Trevino, Mayor of Laredo

“The goal is to bring forward dialogue to the table and provide thoughtful recommendations that help guide responsible decision-making.”

— Dr. Victor Trevino, Mayor of Laredo

What’s next

The Rio Grande Riverfront Coordination and Advisory Committee is expected to meet every other week, with the next meeting anticipated for March 11, 2026. The committee will continue providing recommendations to the city of Laredo as it negotiates with federal officials over border infrastructure plans.

The takeaway

The formation of this advisory committee demonstrates Laredo's commitment to ensuring the city's priorities around the Rio Grande riverfront are represented as the federal government moves forward with border infrastructure plans. By bringing together diverse community voices, the city aims to strike a balance between action and listening in its approach to this sensitive issue.