HARLINGEN, RGV – At a topping out ceremony on Tuesday, Michael Scaief, chairman of Texas Regional Bank, pointed out that the bank’s new corporate headquarters is being built by local contractors and sub-contractors.
The $10 million, four-story, facility, under construction on the corner of Stuart Place Road and I-2, is expected to be completed before the end of the year. Te architects are SpawGlass.
“It is all about investing the Valley. We appreciate all you guys from here, working on this project and contributing to the community of Harlingen,” Scaief said.
A billboard next to the building site confirms Scaief’s remarks about the headquarters being a local effort. The billboard states: “Proud Supporter of the Local Economy” and goes on to list the subcontractors and design team and the Valley cities they are from.
They are:
From Alamo: Limon Masonry;
From Donna: Eloy Lopez Concrete, and Southern Steel Fabricators;
From Edinburg: Faires Plumbing Company, and Sq Ft Commercial Flooring;
From Harlingen: AD8-South Texas, Central Air & Heating Service, Ethos Engineering, Ferris & Flinn, Marek Brothers Systems, Rio Elevator Company, and Rio Roofing;
From La Feria: GC Steel Accessories, and La Feria Excavation;
From McAllen: Amtech Solutions, Chanin Engineering, International Fire Sprinkler Systems, McAllen Pest Control, RGV Alliance Construction, and Rike Ogden Figueroa Allex Architects;
From Pharr: Terrain Consultants;
From Rio Hondo: Robles Consulting;
From San Benito: Bowman Distributing, and RPM Manufacturing;
From San Juan: Central Ready Mix;
From Weslaco, Munoz Foundation Drilling.
In his remarks, Scaief thanked the directors and 800-plus shareholders of the bank. He said many of them are from Harlingen.
“Texas Regional Bank started in 2010. It has proceeded to grow in the Rio Grande Valley and throughout the Hill Country. Texas Regional Bank is the only chartered bank in Harlingen, Texas. It is important to the City of Harlingen,” Scaief said.
“This project is iconic. We have spent the last year and a half planning for this, along with SpawGlass, which has been our partner all along the way.”
Eric C. Kennedy, president of SpawGlass’ South Texas Division, also spoke at the topping out ceremony. He noted that a topping out party is a Scandinavian tradition.
“It signifies that the building is the tallest it is going to go. A celebration of where we are at with the project,” Kennedy said.
There was heavy rain during the topping out ceremony, just as there was for the groundbreaking ceremony.
“It will probably be raining when they do the ribbon cutting, it is a sign of prosperity for the Valley,” Kennedy said. “As a contractor we do not necessarily love rain that much, but it is a good day for a topping out party, for sure.”
Kennedy added: “This building is making a great impact locally and when we drive in it is going to be a great building that will be a bookend for Harlingen and show what a great community we have. We are excited about the building and where we are at and looking forward to getting into the finishes and have a beautiful building to turn over.”
After the remarks of Scaief and Kennedy, bank directors signed a beam that will be part of the construction. The directors and some of the guests attending the ceremony had a tour of the new facility, climbing the stairs to the fourth floor.
About Texas Regional Bank
In 2010, five local businessmen and banking executives in the Rio Grande Valley raised some money to purchase Falfurrias State Bank for $25 million. There were just eleven employees at the start.
The first capital raise brought in $24 million from 150 families. Today, Texas Regional Bank has around 800 shareholders strong and boasts about $830 million in assets. It has ten locations in the Valley and six locations in the Texas Hill Country. It has about $96 million in total capital and 171 employees in the Valley alone.
