By News and Media Relations

McALLEN, TEXAS – JAN. 13, 2026 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has closed on the purchase of The Monitor building in McAllen, a landmark facility that will serve as the future home of the university’s new School of Optometry and help advance additional health, research and academic initiatives that strengthen the Rio Grande Valley.

The nearly 89,000-square-foot facility includes office and warehouse space and is located about 1.5 miles from the newly opened UTRGV Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center at 495 Commerce Center. Together, the two sites will expand UTRGV’s ability to meet community needs through education, clinical care and research.

“The opening of a dedicated space for our School of Optometry marks a major step forward for UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “With this facility located near our Cancer and Surgery Center, we’re strengthening a corridor for learning, research and care that serves our students and the RGV community.” 

The UTRGV School of Optometry was granted Stage One designation by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) in May 2025, a key milestone on the path to full accreditation and the program’s planned launch in fall 2027. Once fully accredited, UTRGV would be only the second public university in Texas to offer a Doctor of Optometry (OD) program. 

“Establishing a permanent home for our School of Optometry is about improving lives in the Rio Grande Valley,” said William Miller, dean of the UTRGV School of Optometry. “This facility will allow us to build the clinics, learning spaces and partnerships needed to expand access to eye care, prepare future optometrists who understand the needs of our communities, and grow research and academic initiatives that drive long-term health and opportunity for our region.”