City of McAllen, Partners to Break Ground on Center for Urban Ecology, Nov. 30th

Quinta Mazatlán expansion to 14-acre nature destination will create ecological education programs, promote ecotourism

Texas Border Business
Nov. 27, 2023

The City of McAllen is breaking ground on the Center for Urban Ecology at Quinta Mazatlán, the first of its kind in Texas.  The $51.9 million CUE will occupy 14 acres and will be built in the next 24 months.

“The Center for Urban Ecology at Quinta Mazatlán promises to be a  transformative venture, fostering a positive and enriching environment for the local community, students and residents,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos.  “Aside from classroom settings for guest lectures for the general public to experience, there will be dedicated labs where students from elementary through college will be able to develop, lead and participate in real-world experiments to better understand, learn and protect our environment.”

City of McAllen leaders expect the Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) to become a nationally recognized destination in the Rio Grande Valley, drawing visitors from throughout Texas and Northern Mexico. The CUE will become a leading Texas destination – a place where education and tourism intersect.

The project inspired a formal partnership in education and conservation with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the McAllen Independent School District.  Programming at the CUE will work towards increasing access for area students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  The UTRGV Center for Urban Ecology will become a premier research lab on urban ecological sciences and its application towards sustainable urban development.  The CUE will accomplish LEED building requirements, a Leader in Energy and Environmental Design.

The CUE will be the best example of a university-municipality partnership, where city managers, citizens, residents, and youth are encouraged to engage with and leverage the expertise and opportunities of a university with a commitment to community and sustainability. There is no other example that comes close to this vision. 

The CUE will likely take its place as a model of a creative partnership between a world-class university and an innovative urban sanctuary, Quinta Mazatlán, to open the door to unique learning opportunities for students at the intersection of sustainability, economic development, ecotourism, and health and wellness—which all have an immediate relevance to the entire region.  The CUE will benefit the entire region, generating an economic impact of over $250 million from construction, operations and visitor spending. The eco-tourism model will attract visitors and birders from around the world.

The expansion project at Quinta Mazatlán will plant over 24,000 new native plants, over 90% native to the Rio Grande Valley

“We are pursuing an amazing vision thanks to the leadership of our elected officials, and the unwavering support and immense contributions of all of our partners, including education and conservation partners; the Qunita Mazatlán board of directors and staff; and many more towards this exceptional initiative,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E.  “Without these partnerships, the project would not become a reality.”

The CUE was designed by Overland Partners, a globally recognized architectural firm for sustainable design based in San Antonio.  The children’s adventure garden was designed by award-winning landscape architect out of Austin, Ten Eyck Landscape.  The lead architect for the project is Megamorphosis of Harlingen, who has been working in partnership with SpawGlass, also out of Harlingen, to help build a premier national facility promoting and teaching the concept of sustainability.

By definition, a sustainable project is one that supports people, planet and profit.  

Partners of the project include: Friends of Quinta Mazatlán; Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-20; the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; McAllen Independent School District; McAllen Development Corporation; McAllen Public Utility; McAllen Transit Park & Ride; Federal Transit Administration; Economic Development Initiative; Hidalgo County: Judge Richard Cortez, Pct. 1 Comm. David Fuentes; Pct. 2 Comm. Eddie Cantu; Pct. 4 Comm. Ellie Torres. 

Sponors of the project include: Vantage Bank Texas; James W. and Kathleen C. Collins Family Foundation; Loring Cook Foundation; H-E-B; Val LaMantia and Family; Karen and Phil Hunke; Becky and John Gerling; Patti and Sam Snyder; Margie and Bob McCreery; and Alejandra and Daniel Vela.