AmREIT will handle development, construction and leasing for theinvestment group, El Pistolon II Ltd., led by Hidalgo County JudgeRamon Garcia. Preston Cunningham, AmREIT's vice president ofdevelopment, tells GlobeSt.com that Garcia spent the last decadeassembling the tract from banks and individuals who had inheritedthe land. The project site takes up the northeast corner of 10thand Dove streets on the north side of town, where Target, H-E-B andHome Depot have stores up and running.

Cunningham is talking with two national retailers to anchor theas-yet unnamed project, being designed by Larry Levinson ofHouston. Meanwhile, development costs are still be worked up as isthe final design. But, Cunningham says, comparable projects cost$30 million to $40 million to build. Infrastructure work has begun.A ground-breaking date has yet to be set, but the development teamplans to deliver stores next year.

Cunningham is confident of the project's success due to thecity's demographics. The US Census ranks McAllen as the 14thfastest growing city in the nation while Forbes magazine lists itin fifth place for job growth. "Our corner is located at the heartof this growth," Cunningham says.