HARLINGEN — Leaders are facing the city’s biggest development challenge in their search for a buyer who could transform Valle Vista Mall from a white elephant into an economic engine.

Now, the city’s Economic Development Corporation’s new $30,000 study into the mall’s proposed redevelopment is pointing to numerous legal hurdles standing in their way.

The Jackson Walker law firm’s study focuses on the mall’s multiple ownership along with a 1984 agreement specifying conditions and restrictions governing the mall.

As part of its search, the EDC is planning to present the study to prospective buyers to help them understand the mall’s complicated legal obstacles, Orlando Campos, the agency’s chief executive officer, said Wednesday.

“We have had several investors look at the mall and kick th

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