Weslaco prepares for an urban makeover

Years ago, prosperous vegetable and fruit packing sheds helped define Weslaco as a booming agricultural hub.  Now the packing shed area immediately north of the railroad tracks is in the midst of re-defining Weslaco’s downtown and future.

“The  transition is well underway,” said Hernan Gonzalez, Executive Director of Weslaco’s Economic  Development Corporation   The EDC first brought the packing shed strip into the 21^st century when they built the handsome 12,000 square foot Weslaco Business and Visitor Center using stylized train depot-type architecture.

“This looks like the train depot Weslaco never had,” Gonzalez said.   Now the building, which has been the home of the  Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau and Weslaco Economic Development Corp since 2004, is being put on the market as the EDC prepares to leapfrog east along the tracks and develop another segment.

“Without a plan, the property just north of the railroad track between Texas Boulevard and Airport Drive would continue its downward slide,” Gonzalez said.  That stretch of railroad frontage, which once housed large, booming businesses such as J.S.  McManus, Valley Growers, Golf de Bryun, and Dickies, is slated for urban renewal.  “The EDC Board believes we need to plan for the whole strip.   It is a good location and already has good infrastructure.”

The EDC contracted with TAG International of Austin to prepare a plan for development of the property land north of Business 83 and the tracks between Texas Blvd. and Airport.  The EDC’s development strategy revolves around coming up with vision of redevelopment that attracts local investors.   It most likely will include a mix of retail, professional offices, entertainment and possibly housing 

“We’re looking at investors who love the area and have a track record of developing,” Gonzalez said.  The EDC intends to be one of development partners and the anchor project.  “The EDC will provide resources for cleanup or demolition of existing structures.  We are not only going to jumpstart the redevelopment, but be an active participant and investor.”

For Gonzalez and the EDC, the multi-million plan is grounded in reality. The successes of South Texas College, the Weslaco Business Center, and the new City Hall at the former Kimball’s Canning site have paved the way.  “With the first project, we’ve proven you can have a quality office building that connects with the railroad.”   The new project will benefit from the extension of Weslaco’s continuing improvements to streets,  lighting, sidewalks, and landscaping.

Gonzalez remembered a friend telling him:  “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Is the new redevelopment plan a long shot?  “Sure,” says Gonzalez, “ but not too long ago, so was the EDC’s development plan that resulted in the current two acre tract,” that is centered on the Weslaco Business Center with the South Texas College campus nearby.

‘We have to continue to be a self-help community,” he said   “The first of our charges is to attract investments that otherwise are not likely to happen.”   He noted that with the growing population and demand for bulk shipments of lumber and construction supplies,  the railroad tracks in the one-time Neon City are probably busier than they ever have been,

Gonzalez said the current complex is going on the market for $2.4 million.  “It has lots of possibilities as a regional bank, professional offices,” Gonzalez said.  The facility has abundant parking, 50 flagpoles and attractive landscaping with sculptures. projects.