IRVING, Texas — A proposal to redevelop a long vacant commercial property along West Irving Boulevard into a mixed use affordable housing project was rejected by the Irving City Council during its Feb. 26, 2026 meeting.
The proposed development, known as Zelina West, would have transformed the aging property at 2520 W. Irving Blvd., near the intersection of Story Road, through the adaptive reuse of a historic office building and the construction of new multifamily housing.
Two agenda items were presented to the council. The first sought an exception to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs one mile, three year rule. The second requested a resolution of support for the project’s application for Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
After discussion and public comments, the council voted 8 to 1 to deny the proposal. Councilman Dennis Webb cast the only vote in support.
Background of the Proposed Development
The property at 2520 W. Irving Blvd. has a long history in Irving. Built in 1958 as Southwest Bank and Trust, the building later housed InterFirst Bank, NationsBank and eventually Bank of America before becoming mostly vacant in recent years.
Developer Alice Cruz, owner of Across, LLC, and project manager Reggie Jennings presented the Zelina West proposal to the council. Cruz previously worked in housing and community development for the City of Fort Worth and later formed Across, LLC in 2019, a company focused on affordable housing development.
The proposed redevelopment would have included:
- Adaptive reuse of the historic Southwest Bank and Trust building
- Construction of a second residential building on the property
- 72 income restricted housing units in one, two and three bedroom layouts
- Preservation of approximately 2,588 square feet of commercial space
- A 45 year affordability period tied to the housing tax credit program
The units were proposed to serve a range of income levels:
- 11% of units at 30 percent of Area Median Income
- 82% of units at 50 to 60 percent of Area Median Income
- 7% of units at 80 percent of Area Median Income
Developers estimated the project would represent roughly a $30 million investment.
Planned Improvements and Community Features
The current site is dominated by large parking areas surrounding the aging building. The redevelopment proposal aimed to significantly redesign the property to improve its appearance and usability.
Planned site improvements included:
- Conversion of unused parking areas into landscaped green space
- Addition of trees and lighting for safety and beautification
- 50% covered parking for residents
- A pool and playground area
- Community amenities including a fitness center, cyber lounge and meeting room with kitchen
- A buffer of landscaping between the development and nearby single family homes
Developers also noted that the project aligned with Irving’s “Future in Focus” strategy by improving property conditions and revitalizing an aging corridor.
Community Concerns Raised at Meeting
During public comments, Irving resident Michael McPhail spoke against the proposal. He said the area around Plymouth Park needs improvement but argued that redevelopment should be more comprehensive.
McPhail raised several concerns, including:
- The number of apartments proposed for the site
- Whether Irving ISD schools could handle a sudden increase in students
- A preference to wait until surrounding property litigation is resolved
- A desire for a broader redevelopment plan for the area
Developer Responds to Council Decision
Following the council’s vote, Irving Weekly contacted developer Alice Cruz for comment.
“We received various feedback about the property's redevelopment,” Cruz said. “Based on our previous experience and positive history with the City of Irving, there were council members who had confidence in our ability to produce a product that the city and its residents could be proud of.”
Cruz said some council members expressed concerns about adding more rental housing in the city and instead emphasized a desire to prioritize homeownership and rehabilitation of existing rental properties.
She said the redevelopment would have significantly increased the value of the property and generated additional tax revenue that could support future improvements along the corridor.
Cruz also said the discussion surrounding the proposal has prompted the city to consider a study of the corridor to help determine its future development.
“We believe high quality, affordable housing is necessary for every city,” Cruz said. “Even though we did not receive the outcome we had hoped for, we are grateful for the opportunity to present this proposed development and hope to work with city council, staff and residents again in the future.”
Irving Weekly Perspective
The property at 2520 W. Irving Blvd. has long been one of the most underutilized sites along the corridor, specially after Bank of America moved down the road. Although several tenants currently occupy portions of the building, including the Consulate of Honduras, Samantha’s Flower Shop, Workforce Solutions and Amigos Food Mart, the majority of the property is underutilized, featuring a dated, unattractive building dominated by surrounding parking that is not aesthetically pleasing.
The aging structure and empty space have made the property stand out as an area in need of modernization and reinvestment.
The proposed Zelina West redevelopment offered an opportunity to preserve a historic building while bringing new housing, green space and commercial activity to the area. The project also proposed improvements such as landscaping, lighting and community amenities that could have helped revitalize the surrounding corridor.
We feel that the benefits outweighed the valid concerns. While the council ultimately chose not to support the proposal, the discussion was beneficial to show to residents the broader challenge of balancing redevelopment, housing needs and long term planning.
City of Irving officials indicated that a corridor study may now be conducted to evaluate future development options for the area.
