Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has closed on the purchase of The Monitor building in McAllen, a landmark facility that will become the future home of the university’s new School of Optometry. University officials said the purchase will also support additional health, research, and academic initiatives aimed at strengthening the Rio Grande Valley.
The transaction was announced on January 13, 2026. The nearly 89,000-square-foot building includes office and warehouse space. It is located about 1.5 miles from the recently opened UTRGV Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center at 495 Commerce Center. University leaders said the proximity of the two sites is intended to expand UTRGV’s ability to serve community needs through education, clinical care, and research.
“The opening of a dedicated space for our School of Optometry marks a major step forward for UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “With this facility located near our Cancer and Surgery Center, we’re strengthening a corridor for learning, research, and care that serves our students and the RGV community.”
The School of Optometry reached an important milestone in May 2025 when it received Stage One designation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. The designation is an early step toward full accreditation and supports plans to launch the program in fall 2027.
Once fully accredited, UTRGV would become only the second public university in Texas to offer a Doctor of Optometry program, according to the university. Officials said the new facility will allow the program to develop clinical, instructional, and research spaces needed for training future optometrists.
“Establishing a permanent home for our School of Optometry is about improving lives in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. William Miller, dean of the UTRGV School of Optometry. “This facility will allow us to build the clinics, learning spaces, and partnerships needed to expand access to eye care, prepare future optometrists who understand the needs of our communities, and grow research and academic initiatives that drive long-term health and opportunity for our region.”
