Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, TX — A packed room at McAllen City Hall on Thursday, March 26, highlighted one clear message: the future of downtown McAllen matters deeply to the community.
City officials and planning consultants from Mend Collaborative hosted a Town Hall meeting to gather public input on downtown revitalization efforts, including updates to the Unified Development Code and a bigger strategic study.
Michelle Rivera, Deputy City Manager, opened the meeting by emphasizing that the evening was designed for the public.
This is your meeting. This is for the downtown folks who are here to give us your opinions.
— Michelle Rivera
Rivera highlighted downtown as a priority initiative for the City and encouraged open dialogue from business owners, property owners, and residents.
Representatives from Mend Collaborative outlined the purpose of the meeting as the first step in a longer planning process.
Kari Spiegelhalter, partner and landscape architect, explained that the session was focused on listening rather than presenting solutions.
This first meeting is really all about listening.
Kari Spiegelhalter
C. Terrence Anderson, senior planner, noted that the turnout exceeded expectations and said additional opportunities for feedback would follow, including surveys and continued engagement.
Zakcq Lockrem, partner and urban planner, described the turnout as remarkable and emphasized that McAllen has strengths many cities lack.
Having this many people who care is really, really exciting.
Zakcq Lockrem
Throughout the meeting, participants raised a wide range of concerns about current downtown conditions. Several themes emerged repeatedly:
• Cleanliness and maintenance, including debris, broken infrastructure, and alley conditions
• Lighting and safety, particularly in underlit areas
• Parking challenges, especially meter enforcement
• Historic preservation, with calls to protect and restore older buildings
• Lack of follow-through, with frustration over past plans that did not lead to action
Many attendees emphasized the need to address basic issues immediately, suggesting that visible improvements could help restore confidence in downtown.
“Start with the basics first… clean it up, fix the lights, and then build from there.”— Community participant
While concerns were candid and, at times, critical, the overall tone of the meeting remained forward-looking. Attendees expressed a shared desire to see downtown become more vibrant, walkable, and economically diverse.
Lockrem noted that many of the challenges discussed are not unique to McAllen but are being experienced in cities across the country.
“A lot of downtowns are struggling today… but what stands out here is the level of investment and commitment in this room.”— Zakcq Lockrem
City officials and the Mend Collaborative team emphasized that this Town Hall marks the beginning of an ongoing process. Upcoming steps include:
• Meetings with elected officials and city departments
• A broader public survey
• Continued stakeholder engagement
• Collection and review of past planning documents
Rivera also clarified that communication and materials will be coordinated through the City to ensure transparency and continuity.
The March 26 Town Hall revealed both the challenges and the potential of downtown McAllen. While participants called for improvements in maintenance, safety, and accountability, they also demonstrated high engagement and a willingness to contribute.
If the turnout is any indication, downtown McAllen’s future will be shaped not just by plans, but by a community ready to be part of the process.
