Feature Photo (above): Gateway monument to Sharyland Plantation on South Shary Road. Image: Google Streets.
Posted 12-9-2019
by Adolfo Pesquera
Mission (Hidalgo County) — Hunt Realty Investments has sold about 3,400-acres, its largest Rio Grande Valley asset, to Laredo-based Killam Development.
Dallas-based Hunt Realty had controlled the land, originally 6,000 acres, through an affiliate known as Hunt Valley Development since the 1970s. In subsequent decades, Hunt developed the Sharyland Business Park (1998), and Sharyland Plantation–a master-planned, mixed-use development that includes industrial, residential, commercial and recreational uses.
Hunt also donated 475 acres to the City of Mission to help build the Anzalduas International Bridge and Highway. That bridge opened January 2010.
Yet, more than half of the original acquisition remains as agricultural land. On Friday, Dec. 6, Killam announced it had taken over Hunt’s stake in Hidalgo County.
According to various local media reports, Killam intends to bring more mixed-use (residential, retail and industrial) development.
Killam officials said their development will include single family residential homes starting at $140,000, parks, walk and bike trails, schools, shopping and entertainment opportunities. They also anticipate the international bridge will attract industrial warehouse developments and other cross-border trade opportunities.
However, the private companies wants to being by soliciting public input through a series of public workshops that are to commence January 2020.
During a meet-and-greet Friday with local officials and stakeholders, company partner Cliffe Killam said, “We’re deeply rooted in South Texas and we know and understand the border culture and the importance of community. We see enormous potential for this area and … look forward to working closely with the public, stakeholders and city leaders to design places that will enhance the quality of life and economic opportunity in Mission and McAllen.”
Killam has retained the services of Able City, a San Antonio-based architecture and urban planning firm, to lead the public input process. They will also be assisted in this effort by Dover, Kohl & Partners, an urban planning firm that has facilitated over 200 charrettes over the past 10 years.
adolfo@virtualbx.com
