Texas Border Business
MISSION, TEXAS – A 3,400-acre master planned community in the Rio Grande Valley took a big step forward recently when the City of Mission, Mission Economic Development Corporation, and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board transferred beneficiary ownership of TIRZ funds designated for 180 acres of the property to Killam Development. The TIRZ will invest approximately $13 million for Phase I of the development, funds that will be used to build new roads, water and wastewater infrastructure. Killam Development is creating a “live, work, play” lifestyle community that will feature walkable neighborhoods, walking trails and park space, as well as connections to entertainment and commercial districts and education centers.
Killam is incorporating feedback received through a series of public workshops the company held in January 2020. More than 500 people from the surrounding community participated to share their ideas and help shape the design. These five priorities emerged from the community discussion:
- Connect to existing communities and recognize the Valley’s unique identity
- Increase access to nature, build parks, preserve key farm fields
- New development should provide something different
- Safe, comfortable, and interesting streets for walking and biking
- A prosperous, but still affordable region
“We are excited to work with community stakeholders and empower them to help continue to make great things happen in Mission, Texas,” stated Cliffe Killam, President & CEO of Killam Development. “This community has been incredibly welcoming, and they are excited about the potential for attracting new restaurants and entertainment and creating a unique neighborhood custom designed for them.”
Killam Development acquired the 3,400-acre property in 2019, which straddles the City of Mission and the City of McAllen and includes areas near the Anzalduas Bridge.
The property within the City of Mission had an existing TIRZ, established in 2001 with the previous property owner, Hunt Valley Development. The TIRZ allowed for $35 million in investment over 30 years. Of that, approximately $22 million has been invested in infrastructure for construction of lift stations and water and wastewater infrastructure.
“Because of the business-friendly climate and that this undeveloped property in Mission had this infrastructure in place and an additional capacity of approximately $13 million, we saw a clear opportunity to make a long-term investment in the community,” said Killam. “The TIRZ is important because it will give us the confidence to invest in critical infrastructure for our phase 1 that will enhance quality of life and economic opportunity in Mission. We are grateful for the support and excited to break ground on construction this year.”
Mission Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña said, “We see great potential for Killam Development to create amazing opportunities for our residents through bringing in new businesses, which generates new jobs and places for people to eat, shop and enjoy. Killam Development will take this to the next level, and we are glad to work together to make this vision a reality.”
“Killam Development’s project will have a positive impact on our quality of life and will help grow our tax base so that we can do even more as a city for future generations,” said Mission City Manager Randy Perez. “It was important that we continued to incentivize the project to help Killam Development generate results.”
Sergio Contreras, President/CEO of RGV Partnership said, “Cliffe Killam and his team have gone above and beyond to get the community’s input into this process and to bring a vision for big and exciting things here. We’re excited to see what this level of investment in a truly master planned community will mean to the City of Mission and the entire Rio Grande Valley.”
Killam Development is a private, family-owned business that has been serving South Texas for more than 100 years. The family office is involved in the oil and gas industry, real estate development, ranching, and investments.
For information about the development, including home sales and commercial opportunities, please contact Dr. Rolando Ortiz at (956) 326-3804.
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