Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen announced a new wave of enforcement this week, targeting downtown bar operators who continue to violate permit requirements in the Entertainment and Cultural Overlay District (ECOD). The action comes in the wake of a violent incident on 17th Street in which a female McAllen police officer was struck by a man while attempting to detain him on August 23, 2025. This event prompted widespread concern and a special City Commission meeting.
In a press release, city officials reported that at Monday’s preferential docket in McAllen Municipal Court, bar operators entered 34 misdemeanor pleas for either operating without a Special Use Permit (SUP) or violating its conditions. The pleas resulted in $11,115 in fines. Conditions tied to an SUP include providing adequate security, sufficient lighting, age verification technology, and the use of UV ink to identify minors.
City Attorney Austin Stevenson confirmed that enforcement will extend beyond criminal court. Civil actions have already been filed against Vandu/PH Roof, Times Two Shot Bar, and Brava Show Bar. City officials said additional establishments were found operating unlawfully over the weekend, prompting the initiation of civil proceedings against Alibi, Cine El Rey, La Santa, and The Yard.
Enforcement also touched on fire safety and compliance with permit conditions. According to the city’s statement, inspectors issued 38 citations for fire code infractions, operating without a permit, and violations of SUP requirements.
Mayor Javier Villalobos underscored the city’s resolve to protect both residents and businesses that follow the law. “Responsible business owners deserve a level playing field, and our residents deserve a safe, vibrant downtown,” Villalobos said in the release. “We will continue to enforce every ordinance necessary to protect our community and ensure that McAllen’s ECOD remains a thriving cultural hub for all.”
The announcement follows the August 29 City Commission workshop, where residents, property owners, and responsible operators demanded stricter enforcement to curb underage drinking, over-serving, and unsafe practices. Villalobos made clear at that meeting that the city would act decisively. “What we’re seeing now is unacceptable,” he said at the time. “We told the community we’d take action. Our downtown district is going to be safe.”
City officials reiterated that enforcement will continue through both criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits. The stated goal is to safeguard public safety, curb underage drinking, and restore downtown McAllen’s reputation as a destination for culture, dining, and entertainment.
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