In 2007, the Trust responded to an enquiry from renowned American shopping center developer Henry S. Miller and, in conjunction with the City of McAllen, Texas, organized a design charrette while acting as Development Manager and Master Planner for the city’s new Town Centre. Recognizing both the aspirations of the community and the practicalities of real-world development, TSD fostered a pre-charrette atmosphere in which virtually every civic group participated, ensuring the plan reflected broad-based input and vision. Topography, geology, natural systems, and the unique natural history of the Rio Grande region were carefully studied, and these insights were synthesized into actionable design directives. The resulting Town Centre plan incorporated an urban beach, tourism features, public buildings, migratory bird flyway protections, and a mix of residential and shopping destinations arranged around a central lake and river system. By integrating natural assets with a bold, people-centric framework for growth, and by aligning public-sector goals with private-sector expertise, TSD delivered a plan that earned community-wide support. This initiative stands as a benchmark in TSD’s portfolio, a demonstration of our ability to lead transformative, large-scale projects that blend visionary design, environmental stewardship, and long-term economic impact.
