Austin, TX – Global real estate advisory firm, Avison Young, is pleased to announce that Big Bear Travel Center -- the first phase of Big Bear Crossing, an 80-acre, mixed-use opportunity Zone project in Strawn, TX -- has broken ground with completion projected for early 2026.

Strategically located midway between Fort Worth and Abilene at the southeast corner of I-20 and Highway 16 in Eastland County, Big Bear Travel Center is being developed by the ownership, Big Bear Partners, LP. The site is planned to include a 12,000-square-foot full-service fueling station for cars and trucks, EV charging, an on-site restaurant, and a selection of retail amenities designed to serve the growing traveler and tourism base in this corridor. The $9 million project will create approximately 35 new jobs for the area and is expected to drive increased traffic toward downtown Strawn and the surrounding region.

Big Bear Travel Center is the anchor project for Big Bear Crossing which is ultimately planned for a hotel, RV park, retail, and industrial expansion near Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. The park — just 11 minutes from the site — is anticipated to open in summer 2026 and is forecasted to draw over 125,000 annual visitors in its first year. It is the first new full-scale state park in Texas in nearly 25 years.

“Big Bear Crossing was designed with the future of this corridor in mind,” said Jeff Cark, Partner at Big Bear Partners, LP. “With the new state park on the horizon and untapped demand for lodging, RV, retail and industrial services along this stretch of I-20, we believe this will become a hub of activity for both travelers and long-term commercial growth.”

Avison Young is currently marketing the remaining parcels within Big Bear Crossing for hotel, RV, restaurant, retail, and light industrial buyers or build-to-suit users, on behalf of Big Bear Partners, LP. The entire site lies within a Texas Opportunity Zone, providing significant tax advantages for qualified investors. Avison Young Principal Mike B. Kennedy and Senior Vice President Sullivan Johnston are representing the property ownership on future parcel sales.

“We look forward to finding the complementary hotel, RV Park and restaurant uses to synergize with the new travel center at this high traffic corner,” said Sullivan Johnston.

“This location presents a very strong opportunity to capitalize on proximity to the new state park, as well as steadily increasing commercial activity in the Strawn area,” said Mike Kennedy.

Following are more details on future phases for Big Bear Crossing:

• Two hotel sites
• Multiple restaurant pad sites
• Retail and mixed-use parcels
• An 18.5-acre RV park site
• A 25.7-acre industrial/distribution tract
• Complementary uses such as horse stalls, laundry, and recreation

All sites feature I-20 frontage visibility, existing on/off ramps, utility access, and flexible parcel sizes. The location serves a significant gap in highway services between Weatherford and Abilene, making it a prime development target for hospitality, fueling infrastructure, and logistics operations.

The Strawn site will join the travel center operator’s locations in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Fort Worth, and Euless.