The San Juan EDC has initiated a Mixed Use Downtown Revitalization Study to complement the comprehensive master plan for the city. The Board of Directors solicited the services of Edminster, Russ & Associates to prepare this plan. Phase I was completed in Augest 2009 which included the following components:

Demographic Data, Existing Land Use Mapping, Historical Data, Economic Market Conditions, Infrastructure Feasibility for water, wastewater and drainage, sidewalk analysis, aerial photography and business cataloguing.

Phase II will be completed October 2010 which encompassed town hall meetings to gather citizen input, business stateholder meetings and implemenation strategies. Phase II provides the SJEDC and City the resource tool to implement development and revitalization strategies downtown.

The Board of Directors have taken action to begin Phase I of Downtown Infrastructure Improvements that will improve water, sewer, drainage and fire protection within this identified development area. Cruz-Hogan Consultants are working on the construction plans with the goal of bidding this $1.8 million infrastructure project Fall 2010. For more info, call SJEDC at 956-783-3448.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the SJEDC have been working together on this new water quality project known as the San Juan Wetlands. With the financial support of a grant received by TCEQ, the SJEDC has been managing the design and construction of a ne 7 acre wetland and nature trail park.

The purpose of the wetlands are to work as a natural water filteration system for the treated effluent water that is pumped from San Juan Waste Water Treatment Plant #2. This water is cleaned and discharged into the Arroyo Colorado. The EPA and TCEQ have found that the Arroyo Colorado is an impaired water source.

The wetlands will now filter on average 175,000 galloons of treated effluent water that will lead to cleaner water being discharged into the Arroyo. The park will feature an 80 foot boarwalk across a deep water marsh and will soon be attracting many birds, butterflies and dragonflies to the area.

Ecotourists will have another birding sanctuary to visit along with other World Birding Centers across the Valley. The park is completed and now transitioning into the Grow In Phase of its development. To book a tour, contact San Juan Parks and Recreation at 956-783-9927.

The San Juan EDC has initiated a comprehensive master plan for the City of San Juan. In March 2009, the San Juan City Commission appointed Cruz-Hogan Consultants to conduct comprehensive studies for water, wastewater and drainage. City engineer Ronnie Cruz spearheads the project with the goal of updating all ciy maps with GIS information for all infrastructure. The master plan will identify all existing utilities with recommendations for future growth and development for 5, 10 to 25 years.

The San Juan EDC has identified the Expressway 83 retail corridor a high priority for infrastructure expansion. SJEDC has three business expansion planned for this area. A luxury car dealer, a boat retailer and tire retailer are under negotiation. The SJEDC is planning infrastructure improvements to further expedite this development. Announcements are coming soon!!

As a gift to the City of San Juan in celebration of its 100 year anniversary, the SJEDC has contracted Arcadia Publishing to publish a book on the history of San Juan. SJEDC staff began the project Spring 2009 by soliciting photos and stories from all San Juan citizens.

Through the SJEDCs internship program, Roseann Bacha-Garza, a graduate student from the University of Texas Pan American majoring in history, has worked with local leaders to gather information and produce the manuscript for the book. Roseann wrote a large portion of the book after having interviewed numerous families in San Juan.

The Board of Directors also appointed a Centennial Committee to assist in the project. Members volunteered their time to provide information and collect photos. Members include Chairman Dr. Fernando Castillo, Vice Chair Estela Salazar, Secretary/Treasurer Juan Maldonado, Romeo Jimenez, Estella Rojas, Kathleen Carrizalez-Frye and Arturo Ramirez.

Congratulations to the historic San Juan Hotel and its owner Gus Acevedo for making the cover of the book.

The book is available for sale at the following San Juan locations: Martin Drug, Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine Gift Shop and Walgreens.

The book can also be found in the Rio Grande Valley at Sam's Club, both McAllen Barnes & Noble locations. Visit Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or send an email to sales@arcadiapublishing.com to buy the book online for $21.99.

What is Downtown Revitalization?

Downtown Revitalization involves several components that include land use analysis, economic modeling, market studies, a review of infrastructure as well as community outreach. 

Tangible results of these studies are seen with improvements to existing conditions such as new sidewalks, lighting, building renovations or landscaping.

The intent of these efforts is at the heart of revitalization and is meant to preserve community character, promote local businesses and the economy and enhance the quality of life for the community.

The San Juan Downtown Revitalization Plan is accomplishing these basic goals and more!  In order to develop a plan that reflects the best interest of the community we need the residents of the community to participate in the project.

In February and March of this year the San Juan EDC will host two public meetings.  These meetings are for the entire community to attend and give comments, suggestions and feedback on the future vision of Downtown San Juan.  As residents we finally have a chance to make San Juan what we dream it to be. Don’t miss this opportunity!

San Juan EDC announces new Audi dealership

Plans for a new 18,000 to 25,000 square foot building are in the works for the new dealership that will create more than 18 to 20 jobs its first year. Construction is slated to begin by May 2011 for a targeted opening of December 2011. The City benefits with increased property taxes, job creation and new sales tax dollars from the service and parts sold by the dealership.

“The city of San Juan is proud to welcome Audi to our city. Audi has a long and storied history of technological progress, quality, luxury and excellence. These are all qualities that fit perfectly with our great city and our push to make San Juan a great place to live, shop and do business,” stated Commissioner Armando Garza.

San Juan Economic Development Corporation's mission is to create wealth opportunities through the promotion and expansion of business enterprise, job creation and investment. SJEDC serves as a strategic liaison between the business community, network partners and municipal governments.

For more information about Audi or any other SJEDC projects, please visit our website at www.sanjuanedc.com for more information or contact our office at 956-783-3448.

San Juan EDC Launches its 2011 Shop San Juan Campaign

SAN JUAN, TX - The San Juan Economic Development Corporation (SJEDC) kicks off its 2011 Shop San Juan Campaign for elementary schools in the Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD).  The purpose of the Shop San Juan Campaign is to educate students about the importance of generating sales taxes for the City of San Juan.

 Miki McCarthy, Executive Director for SJEDC came up with the idea from having attended a career fair at Sorensen Elementary three years ago. “Explaining the importance of sales tax dollars and how they are generated is a good lesson. SJEDC hopes to make this an event that students look forward to each year. We are raising the stakes this year as far as the prizes for each campus.”

 The Shop San Juan Campaign consists of a series of presentations regarding the San Juan Economic Cycle to elementary schools as way of introducing the topic. The series is concluded by a sales tax competition held at each participating campus. The competition focuses on collecting sales tax receipts from San Juan businesses during a specified time period. The class generating the most sales tax wins the competition. The top sales tax generating campus wins the top trophy and an end of school year carnival or field trip. All winners received a pizza party, goodie bag, and a Shop San Juan Activity Book filled with San Juan businesses’ coupons. 

 SJEDC proudly recognizes Carmen Elementary as the Grand Champion Campus for the 2010 Shop San Juan Campaign. Carmen Elementary class winners were Ms. J. Garcia’s 4^th grade class and Mr. C. Perez’s 5^th grade class. Sorenson Elementary, former 2008 and 2009 Grand Champion winners are Ms. Saucedo’s 4^th grade class and Ms. Flores’ 5^th grade class. First year participants, North San Juan Elementary winners are Ms. Santillan’s 4^th grade class and Ms. Hernandez 4^th grade class. Also first year participants, Reed & Mock Elementary winners are Ms. Ramirez’s 4^th grade class and Ms. Ruiz’s 5^th grade class.

 The Shop San Juan Campaign is open to all 4^th and 5^th grade classes in the PSJA school district. All 3^rd grade classes are presented with Shop San Juan Activity Books to use throughout the summer months which also prepare them for next years campaign. Teachers interested in participating, should contact the San Juan EDC by April 22, 2011. 

 The San Juan EDC is also seeking sponsors from our local businesses. SJEDC is selling ad spaces within the Activity Book, requesting coupons and the donation of promotional items for goodie bags. For more information about the Shop San Juan Campaign, please contact San Juan EDC at 956-783-3448.

San Juan's Downtown Revitalization is key to retain the investment and opportunities that the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine attracts weekly into the San Juan community. A prime location for retail development is Divine Plaza owned by Rosa Valencia. Please see attached photo regarding her 7 acres located directly across the street from the Shrine. Interested in developing or purchasing, contact the SJEDC or Rosa Valencia at 956-605-7000.