A 25-acre retail development in Calallen will bring major chains including Academy, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse by early 2027.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A major commercial development is moving forward in Calallen, with construction already underway on a 25-acre shopping center near Interstate 69.

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The project, located along the Northwest Boulevard and Leopard Street corridor in northwest Nueces County, is expected to bring several national retailers and restaurants to the area within the next year.

Plans for the site include an Academy Sports and Outdoors, a LongHorn Steakhouse and a new Olive Garden location — which would be the Coastal Bend’s third.

Construction on the Olive Garden is scheduled to begin in June, with completion expected by February 2027.

City leaders say the development is part of a broader effort to expand retail options and attract more shoppers to Corpus Christi.

“The city usually goes through and does a master plan … it helps developers know what the city is looking at, and it sparks development,” said Corpus Christi City Councilman Everett Roy. “In this case, that’s exactly what happened.”

Roy said the area has become increasingly attractive to developers following recent additions like Walmart and Hobby Lobby.

He added that bringing in shoppers from surrounding communities is a key priority.

“They can go to Portland, they have choices,” Roy said. “Getting them into the Corpus Christi area is really good for us. It’s good for our sales tax.”

City officials say the impact could extend beyond Calallen, potentially drawing visitors into other parts of the city.

“Once they’re in the area, then the next step is, ‘Hey, while we’re here, let’s go downtown,’” Roy said.

Still, Roy acknowledged concerns about increased traffic, particularly along County Road 624 and the Northwest Boulevard–Leopard Street corridor, which already sees heavy congestion.

The development will mark the third Academy location in the Coastal Bend and the second LongHorn Steakhouse in the area. Officials say the more than one million square feet of space could attract additional businesses in the future.