“Progress is hard to miss in Weslaco, even for commuters passing through on Expressway 83,” says EDC Executive Director, Steven Valdez. The EDC of Weslaco announces five commercial sites concurrently under construction along Expressway 83 (IH-2), including the demolition of the Palm Aire Hotel off of FM 1015 & Expressway 83.
Earth moving machinery seen at each of the five locations is now in the process of clearing, leveling and digging its way for underground utilities, foundations and new buildings soon to be erected.
If traveling east to west (Harlingen to McAllen), on your left you’d see the demolition of the Palm Aire Hotel as the first exposed 8.5-acre worksite. What used to be a 175-room hotel, fitness center, dance hall, swimming pool and tennis courts will be taken down to ground zero to make way for an anchor restaurant, strip mall and 120 room, four story hotel & event center.
Further west on the corner of Bridge Ave. and Expressway 83 is the future 10-acre site of the commercial development called “The Shops at North Bridge.” The developer is aggressively lining up lease contracts for four anchor, stand-alone sites facing the expressway and another four strip centers towards the back of the property. A ground-breaking ceremony is set for June 9, 2022, where franchise names will be announced.
Near the corner of Texas Blvd. and Expressway 83 is the 15.5-acre redevelopment site of the Palm Plaza Shopping Center built originally in the late 1970’s. New owners decided to raze two structures comprised of 80,000 sq. ft. of obsolete buildings to clear the land for concepts not yet present in Weslaco.
Continuing west is the construction site of South Point II Plaza where the developer is building his second commercial property in Weslaco. The site is immediately adjacent to the Valley Baptist Micro Hospital, so expect to see a combination of retail and professional service providers.
Within a stone’s throw from South Point II Plaza is the new Ojos Locos construction site. Building plans include a 6,500 sq. ft. indoor restaurant & bar with another 900 sq. ft. outdoor patio.
Combining all five commercial development projects equals improvements to over 50 acres of prime highway frontage property and an estimated $30 million in investment. Each of these properties will be attracting retail companies that will contribute a high volume of sales and property taxes that support Weslaco’s economy.
The commercial developers and the EDC are actively and aggressively pursuing national brand franchises and services and at the same time, providing affordable spaces for locally owned businesses that believe in Weslaco’s growing economy.
Each of the developers say they have taken notice of Weslaco’s residential growth by studying the recorded subdivision permits lining the shelves at City Hall. Staff in the permitting office say that at last count, permits for over 1,500 lots have been approved and many are already under construction.
Residential developers say they can’t build subdivisions fast enough and often times sell out lots before the subdivision is complete.
“Progress is spread out evenly in Weslaco,” says EDC Board Secretary, Jerry Gonzalez. Gonzalez is also Vice President at Texas National Bank and sees first-hand how Weslaco’s growth and development is consistent, balanced and happening at a fast pace, despite rising cost of construction.
“Global delays in the supply chain, raising costs of materials, high cost of fuel and labor aren’t keeping developers from moving forward in Weslaco,” says Gonzalez, “Concerns that prices could keep going higher may suggest that it’s better to build now.”
As Weslaco continues to be true to its “City on the Grow” brand, the EDC takes a slightly different approach and says, “Come, Grow with Us,” as growth is inevitable and sustainable. For more information on these and other projects featured by the EDC of Weslaco, contact the EDC office at 956-969-0838 or follow us on Facebook at Weslaco EDC.
