San Benito to mull paving way for $115 million project, 2000 new jobs

SAN BENITO — Imagine a $115 million convention center and hotel complex featuring restaurants, retail shops, office suites and entertainment venue near the corner of FM 509 and Interstate 69.

The city’s biggest project in decades would create 1,013 jobs along with 1,077 jobs during the three-year construction period.

Today, city commissioners will hold a public hearing before considering passing the first reading of an ordinance rezoning 117.8 acres at the northeast corner of FM 509 and Interstate 69 to pave the way the project planned by Western Spherical Developers, a Friendswood company.

“We believe it’s a good project,” Mayor Rick Guerra said Monday. “We’re trying to move forward for the betterment of San Benito.”

During today’s meeting, developer David C. Miles is set to present commissioners with an update on the project.

After the land’s rezoning, the developer plans to close on the land’s sale, Linda Merritt, a company representative, said.

The project, to include three phases, calls for the construction of a $115 million, 23,000-square-foot convention center and select-service hotel “supporting large venue conventions, a crystal lagoon, a visitors and special events center utilizing banquet venues, a performance hall of pavilion, interactive education venue, professional office space, restaurants and retail space, green space and athletic entertainment-related facilities,” the proposed agreement states.

As part of the project, the developer would spend $11.2 million to build roadways and install utility lines and another $11.2 million to build an “elevated causeway” along with the convention center, plazas and pavilions, the agreement states.

The agreement also calls on the developer to spend $74.6 million to bring in a national flag hotel, a five-acre “Crystal Lagoon,” a food hall, amusements and other features.

“The hotel and convention center will attract convention/conferences and exhibits in addition to serving as a venue for events and concerts,” Merritt stated in a press release. “Set among other Epicenter and regional amenities, the hotel and convention center will be well-positioned to attract regional, national and international interests.”

City to offer tax breaks

As part of an agreement, the city would offer the developer tax breaks and building fee rebates contingent upon the developer’s performance.

“The city of San Benito and developer agree that it is the developer who is solely at risk in the financing, construction and development of the RGV Epicenter and that it is up to the developer to successfully complete RGV Epicenter phase one on the project site under the terms and conditions of this agreement to qualify for the economic incentive program,” the agreement states.

Regional ‘growth opportunities’

In 2018, Miles proposed the project to City Manager Manuel De La Rosa, Merritt stated in the press release.

Then last year, commissioners approved a development agreement.

“The agreement unanimously approved by the city commission will facilitate financial mechanisms to bring about a variety of retail, sporting, dining, lodging, entertainment and educational facilities to San Benito,” Commissioner Rene Villafranco stated in Merritt’s press release.

“An underlying mission for the Epicenter complex is to enhance quality of life, participate as an active community partner promoting area events for families and visitors, business and innovative opportunities and supporting job creation and training for the San Benito and surrounding lower Rio Grande Valley communities. Equally important is the promotion of robust visitor and business opportunities with regional, national and international interests.”

Prospective tenants include Waypoint 2 Space, a Houston-based company training for commercial space flight, the press release states.

“Epicenter is positioned to support and further advance the region’s growth opportunities in the industries of aerospace, medical, agricultural, energy, transportation, sports and entertainment and ecotourism,” Miles stated in the press release. “Great opportunities also exist to celebrate the Latino heritage of music, dance and visual art.”

League City, La Porte projects

The city did not immediately respond to questions stemming from the marketability of a convention center hotel less then two years after Harlingen opened a $16.7 million, 44,000-square-foot convention center along with a newly attached $25 million Hilton Garden Inn built by partner BC Lynd Hospitality.

As a result of federal and state orders restricting occupancy aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus, the Harlingen Convention Center has booked few events since the pandemic’s March breakout.

The city also did not immediately respond to two Western Spherical Developers projects that apparently failed to get off the ground, including a proposed League City sportsplex and a La Porte entertainment center.


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