Reprint from the Progress Times - June 8, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Anzalduas Bridge Ground Breaking Is Set For June 29
Commercial growth continues at record pace

By Kathy Olivarez

Construction of the Anzalduas Bridge is set to start this month. Groundbreaking ceremonies have been set for June 29.

“We’re happy. We’ve been working for this for the past nine years,” said Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas. “We’re looking forward to its completion.”

Pat Townsend Jr., CEO of Mission Economic Development Authority, said the new bridge will bring with it potential for a great deal of are growth. He anticipates Hunt Valley Development, the developers of Sharyland Plantation, will develop the land along the Anzalduas Highway, connecting the bridge to Bryan Rd., as the bridge is being built. Construction of the bridge is expected to take approximately 22 months.

Because the McAllen Southwest Industrial District has already stretched west to Shary Road, Townsend expects the first industrial development from the new bridge will come south of the Military Highway in the Granjeno area. Most of this land is in the city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of the cities of McAllen and Mission and in the Hidalgo ISD boundaries. He estimates it will take five to seven years for this area to be filled in with industrial complexes.

Mission will see the development of a commercial area along the new Anzalduas Highway leading to the bridge. Townsend said that several years ago the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) mandated a new road be built to move traffic from the bridge to the expressway instead of using the existing Stewart Road.

The result was creation of the Anzalduas Highway leading from Bryan Road through Hunt Valley Development to the new bridge. When the bridge opens for traffic there will likely be commercial development along the road, which will be monitored carefully. This commercial corridor will add to the tax base of the Mission Consolidated Independent School District and the City of Mission.

Townsend said development would be quick after the sale of land along the route because Hunt Valley Development does not allow the purchase of land for speculation. Those who purchase the land cannot keep it for years in hopes the value will increase. They must have plans to build on it.

Hunt Valley Development will control the sale of the land and the purposes that it is to be used for so that it will not “bust the market” by allowing so much space to be developed that the owner-operators are crippled and unable to make a profit.

Presently, all truck and agriculture traffic coming from Mexico is to use the Pharr or Progreso international bridges. But once the bridge is complete, some of the traffic will use the new route to cross south-bound into Mexico.

Future plans include expanding the Military Highway to a western loop that will go around much of the city and connect to U.S. 281 north of Edinburg. Townsend estimates that it will take up to two years to develop that loop once a route is selected. As that loop develops, the industrial development will spread westward into La Joya Independent School District, adding to their tax base. However, this western industrial development will probably not occur for the next ten years.

Mission has already seen tremendous commercial development along the expressway frontage road and Shary Road with the development of Sharyland Towne Crossing - located on Expressway 83 at Shary Rd. - this year. With the opening of Target and an H-E-B Plus store, other businesses are being drawn to the area.

Among the new businesses coming in are Blockbuster Video, Gorditas, Marble Slab, Just-a-Cut, Nail Salon and a Blue Shell Restaurant. These will be located in the building facing Shary Road to the west of the H-E-B.

Marianne’s, Payless Shoes, TJ Maxx, and Ross Dress for Less will be between H-E-B and Target. To the east of Target there will be Merle Norman, Sendero, Sally Beauty, Office Depot, Anna’s Linen, Famous Footware, Dots and Petco.

A Wendy’s and Chick-Fil-A are already under construction along the frontage road. A small strip to the west of the Chick-Fil-A will have a Mattress Superstore, Pick-a-Salad and Taqueria El Zarape. Chili’s is already open and doing a thriving business.

An Inter National Bank and another available pad site at the intersection complete the center.

Townsend said there are only five sites still available. One site is large enough that it could be divided to accommodate more than one business. The new development has brought a tremendous variety of new shopping and eating opportunities to the city.

Whether Mission experiences industrial growth or commercial growth, it is all good for the city as it will add to the city’s tax base and help provide jobs for residents.