Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc., which operates more than 1,300 self-storage locations across North America, is investing $7.4 million to expand storage space and other service amenities at three recently acquired locations in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. The projects in Brownsville, Harlingen and Pharr will be expanded to include climate-controlled storage units, according to the source.

In Brownsville, the company is adding $4 million in upgrades at 2400 Boca Chica Blvd. The conversion of the former Burlington Coat Factory already includes a showroom, boat/RV and secured parking, and a hitch bay, but the structure will now offer more than 100,000 square feet of self-storage space and a second floor, said Mark Reinitz, marketing company president for U-Haul Co. of Corpus Christi. When complete, the facility will have about 1,300 units.

In Harlingen, U-Haul will spend $900,000 to upgrade the former ProBuild lumber yard it acquired 11 months ago. The project at 1218 N. Ed Carey Drive includes 372 storage units, 224 of which are climate-controlled. Other improvements include a rental showroom that sells moving and packing supplies, hitch bays, covered loading and unloading areas, and controlled access.

In Pharr, the company has planned $2.5 million in upgrades at 4007 N. Cage Blvd. The project includes the construction of a climate-controlled building containing around 200 units and the addition of covered boat/RV spaces, a showroom and a U-Box portable storage warehouse, Reinitz told the source.

Established in 1945, U-Haul owns more than 44 million square feet of storage space. The company’s corporate sustainability initiatives, which support infill development to help local communities lower their carbon footprint, has led to dozens of conversion projects in recent years.

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