Here is a list so far of what I can find right now in news articles and off the top of my head.

Condos

- Fair field Resorts at La Cascada. This is a 10 story condo project with units ranging in size from 800sf to 1400 sf and to be sold at 225 to 300 dollars per sf. This sits right next to the now almost fully bought and leased La Cascada tower on the river walk.

- Plaza San Lorenzo. This 11 story condo project That will be put in place of the soon to be razed Solo Serve Building and will occupy some of the Clegg Building. Construction is expected to begin in September with a completion date sometime within the first quarter of 2007.

- Neisner Building Condos. 40 Luxury Condos will fill the soon to be renovated Neisner Building at the Corner of Broadway and Houston Streets.

- Dillards Lofts. 62 Condos are planned to go in over the Dillards department store downtown. (This one may be stale at the moment, bc the mall has new owners)

-Hyatt Lofts. These will sit amongst the soon to get off the ground 45 story Hyatt Convention Center Hotel. Pricing and sq have not been released yet. Around 150 units are expected to be built.

- 32 story lofts. The only information I have on this at this time is that the structure will be 32 stories and will be "across from the Alamodome." It is supposed to break ground sometime during the first quarter of 2006.


Hotels

-Hyatt Convention Center Hotel. This 45 story structure (including five stories of parking) will break ground June 10th tentatively with 1000 rooms to be built. The two bright towers will rise above The River walk 525 feet (if parking stays underground) and will be the second tallest skycraper in San Antotnio, falling behind the Tower of Americas.

-Staybridge Suites. Staybride will be building a 13 story tower in St. Paul Square in Sunset Station. This 109 Suite Hotel is expected to be completed sometime in 2006.

Credit to Texboy

Here are some more projects that came to mind.

-San Antonio International Airport Expansion. The terminal expansion will happen in phases, to where terminal B will be built first, then terminal 2 will be Razed, and then terminal C will be built bringing the gate total in the end to about 35 gates. The City threw out all the original bids in April because all were well above the budget, and went back to the Council to revise the budget. Final renderings are due out in June.


-Methodist hospital in Stone Oak. This state of the Art Hospital will be located on the corner of Hardy Oak Ave. and Sonterra Parkway in the exploding area of Stone Oak in far North San Antonio. It is being built in phases and once finished with cover much of the 40 acres of land purchased by Methodist. It is being built in response to Baptist Health Systems Expansion of their Stone Oak hospital, that in the end will double the amount of beds in the Baptist hospital. Stone Oak is now being billed as "San Antonio's Second Medical Center".


-Hotel Contessa. Nearing completion this upscale hotel in downtown San Antonio is sitting at 13 floors tall and will be a landmark on the San Antonio River. Its modern yet elegant design will entice guests with exquisite dining and shopping, and will offer a full spa hotel experience.

http://www.benchmarkhospitality.com/img/media/display_31_2.jpg
http://www.benchmarkhospitality.com/img/media/display_31_1.jpg
http://www.thehotelcontessa.com/images/ExteriorRiverwalk.jpg
http://www.thehotelcontessa.com/images/LobbyFinal.jpg
http://www.thehotelcontessa.com/images/renderinglarge.jpg

Credit to texboy

Big Tex Grain in South Town.

http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/images/bigtex1.jpg
http://www.lifshutz.com/images/bigtex_large.jpg

Alamo Architects is developing the Master Plan for this unique mixed-use development. On the site of the former Big Tex Grain Company, this community is being built on an industrial site directly across from the historic King William district just south of San Antonio. The Master Plan calls for the sprawling site to be redeveloped into 123 multifamily units, 12 townhouses, and 50,000 square feet of new and remodeled commercial space and live/work units. The site is bound on one side by the San Antonio River, and by a highly active railroad line on the other side, creating numerous challenges for Alamo Architects. The finished project will result in creative solutions for these challenges in areas such as noise abatement, access and utilities. Residents will enjoy proximity to the Blue Star Arts Complex (http://www.bluestarcomplex.com/) and the hike and bike trail that is to run the length of the river, highlighting the many features of the finished development.

Link to an aerial photo of the site Big Tex Grain will be built:

Aerial view (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=San+Antonio,+TX&ll=29.405401,-98.492249&spn=0.005579,0.007918&t=k&hl=en)

King William Townhomes also in South Town.

http://www.kingwilliamtownhomes.com/images/elevation_map.gif

http://www.kingwilliamtownhomes.com/images/largemap.gif

http://www.kingwilliamtownhomes.com/images/guenther.jpg
http://www.kingwilliamtownhomes.com/images/rear.jpg

Victoria Commons

Victoria Commons recently finished phase I of four phases.

Phase I: Refugio Apartments.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/TimManuParker/SA_075.jpg

In this masterplan rendering of Victoria Commons, Phase I is colored in yellow.

http://xs404.xs.to/pics/05215/victoriacommons-.PNG

Picture of another phase of the mix use development Victoria Commons.

http://www.lifshutz.com/images/victoriaprojects.gif


Older aerial picture of the Victoria Commons site:

Aerial view (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=San+Antonio,+TX&ll=29.413598,-98.481231&spn=0.011158,0.015836&t=k&hl=en)

The Courtyard at Brackenridge Park. - The courtyard will be two four story luxury office condominiums.
Open: Spring 2006


Villaje Del Rio. - Mixed-use redevelopment project underway with retail, office, and apartments. To be built off of of Broadway St. and the San Antonio River in north Downtown.

http://www.villaje-del-rio.com/Property/VillajeDeRio/Assets/ElevationsVDR.jpg

New Convention Center Hotel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/TimManuParker/skyscraper.jpg

http://tinypic.com/wgsyb

Now I'll post some stuff going on outside the Central Loop/Downtown.


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Ventura Plaza

http://www.alamoarchitects.com/images/Ventura_1.jpg

Three, two-story buildings will combine to provide 74,400 square feet of retail, restaurant and office lease space at this center. Located on Loop 1604 between Blanco Blvd. and Stone Oak Parkway, the center was situated and designed to capture the available scenic views of the Canyon Creek Country Club Golf Course from the courtyards and the second floor professional service lease spaces, thus creating more of an integration between the built environment and the natural environment than normally is found at such a center. This integration, combined with an appealing aesthetic color palette and finishes, will attract and enhance the pedestrian experience throughout this center.

Link (http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/ventura.html)

Park North Plaza

http://xs404.xs.to/pics/05215/parknorthplazasign-.PNG

Central Park Mall was one of San Antonio's earliest indoor mall and at one time a very successful mall. But then its neighrbor North Star Mall, just across San pedro Ave., became San Antonio's powerhouse mall. Central Park Mall quickly became an ugly after thought for retail at the San perdo/410 interchange. Tenants left, people stop going, it became a ghost town. All that stood was a Sears. But then last year developers bought what was called the best piece of retail land in all of SA (at a very very busy San Pedro and 410 Interchange) and is now building Park North Plaza.

Over three Million square feet of retailers are located in this regional intersection; including North Star Mall, which is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Foley's and Dillards.

Day time population within two miles is in excess of 123,000 individuals and in excess of 280,000 vehicles per day circulate the Park North site.

Central Park Mall was recently razed and construction has just begun on Park North Plaza.


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The Shops at La Cantera


http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/images/lacantera1b.jpg
http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/images/Lacantera-pop2.gif
http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/images/Lacantera-pop4.gif
http://www.alamoarchitects.com/Lacantera-pop3.gif

A preeminent open-air retail marketplace in the exclusive Texas Hill Country with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard's and Foley's.

Located on 1604 just west of I-10.

Nestled at the foot of the Texas Hill Country, The Shops at La Cantera will be reminiscent of a lively mercado, filled with an abundance of retail offerings from Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Foley's and Dillard's. Located in northwest San Antonio, an area known for its wealthy international visitors and high-income residents, The Shops at La Cantera will enjoy unparalleled access to a metropolitan area of explosive growth. A bustling main street, naturally landscaped courtyards, shaded arcades and meandering water features will serve as an enchanting backdrop for retail shops and world-class restaurants.

Construction on this 1.3 million-square foot began in 2003, and is scheduled to open in Fall 2005.

Link (http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/lacantera.html)

REGAL HILLS

http://www.turnberry.com/imgdir/regal_hills_cnr.jpg

Regal Hills is located in Texas’ most dynamic growing North San Antonio market with a population of over 1.5 million within a 20 minute drive. The center will feature a versatile mix of national and regional retailers and a lifestyle element featuring indoor and outdoor dining, cafes, bookstore and entertainment retailers. This open air center is architecturally designed with pop fountains, lush landscaping in a pedestrian friendly setting for locals and families to enjoy.

Regal Hills is a super regional power center with a lifestyle component featuring a diverse mix of regional and national specialty retailers and anchor stores including indoor and outdoor dining, entertainment, bookstore and cafes. The center is centrally located on the southeast corner of State Loop 1604 and Interstate 10.

Construction will begin in early 2005, with a projected opening in the Fall of 2006.


Cross Streets:
Southeast corner of State Loop 1604 and I-10

:: Interstate Access:
I-10

:: Metro Center:
San Antonio, TX

:: Type of Center:
Super regional power center with lifestyle component
::

Description:
650,000 square foot regional power center with 100,000 square foot lifestyle component

:: Total Gross Leasable Area:
750,000 Sq. Ft.

:: Year Opening:
Construction to commence early 2005
Scheduled opening Fall 2006

Link (http://www.turnberry.com/r_regalhills.htm)

Also:

Toyota Plant in far South San Antonio.

PGA Tour Resort in far North San Antonio.

A&M University in far South San Antonio.

Just wondering if this could get a sticky.

Lots more stuff happening and I'd love to post it.

Stone Oak's new Methodist Hospital

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/MethodistHospitalStoneOak.jpg

Credit to texboy

Nortwest Vista College Expansion Master Plan

http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/nwv_1.jpg

Current buildings are the three purple ones.
http://www.alamoarchitects.com/firm/images/nwv_pop.jpg

Aerial view of Northwest Vista College::
http://void01.xs.to/pics/05241/nwvc.PNG

San Antonio is a very beautiful city as well as Austin, which could become a MSA soon if the explosive growth continues.

http://www.kingwilliamtownhomes.com/images/rear.jpg

Well hot damn. So the garages are going to be like in a back alley? If so that is great.

San Antonio is a very beautiful city as well as Austin, which could become a MSA soon if the explosive growth continues.

I hope not. Both are great cities but it would be a shame if they become one metro. Both downtowns are nearly 80 miles apart.

Can't believe I haven'tposted about The Rim nor any renderings.


http://void01.xs.to/pics/05244/therim.PNG
http://xs33.xs.to/pics/05244/therim2.PNG
http://xs33.xs.to/pics/05244/therim3.PNG

Hotel
http://xs33.xs.to/pics/05245/therim4-.png
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Project Facts:

Location
NEC of I-10 & Hwy-1604, in Bexar County

Total Size
Approximately 1,500,000 SF on 150 Acres

Traffic Counts
111,000 Cars/day on I-10, South of Hwy-1604
85,000 Cars/day on I-10, East of Hwy-1604

Total Space Available
Approximately 1,500,000 SF (1,300,000 SF Anchors, 170,000 SF Shops, & 8 Outparcels)

Bass Pro Shops will lead the co-anchors in retail facet of the The Rim, a 700+ acre mixed-use development that blends urban plazas, courtyards and parks with entertainment, retail, office and residential components.

The Rim will boast approximately 1.5 million square feet of retail space uniquely blended into a complement of tenantry that can and will appeal to all strata of consumers throughout the Greater San Antonio metropolitan area. Thomas Enterprises purchased the site from San Antonio-based Worth Enterprises in 2003, changing the name to The Rim from “North Rim.”

The Rim’s blend of multiple components is designed to meet the retail, service and entertainment needs of San Antonio residents, the local community, and visitors to the area.

The anticipated land use mix includes destination entertainment attractions and retail, lodging, office/commercial space, traditional shopping outlets, as well as a proposed residential component.

The first phase of the project concentrates on the destination retail and entertainment attractions. Destination entertainment and retail by definition is designed to draw in customers from beyond the local economy, bringing new money into the community in the form of de facto tourism.


At completion, the first phase of The Rim is expected to hold tenants and attractions that will have cumulative annual revenues of $503.5 million and employ approximately 3,140 full and part-time workers.

There website is...

www.shoptherim.com

San Antonio International Airport Expansion. Two New Terminals.

Future Terminal:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/Construction%20Pics/SATairport6.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/Construction%20Pics/SATairport5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/Construction%20Pics/SATairport4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/Construction%20Pics/SATairport3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/Construction%20Pics/SATairport2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/Construction%20Pics/SATairport1.jpg

http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0830/4915793_400X300.jpg

Mix use development: Piazza San Lorenzo

Under construction

http://xs46.xs.to/pics/05375/piazzasanlorenzo.PNG

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Nice malls.

Investment group eyes office, multifamily uses for I-10 tract

Tricia Lynn Silva

While much news has been focused on the retail development shaping up along the Interstate Highway 10/Loop 1604 corridor, an investment group with its own stake in the area is looking at some other development avenues as well.

A family owned entity out of Mexico called Galleria Ventures Ltd. has hired locally based Drake Commercial Group LLC to add some additional thunder to a 400-acre tract along the southeast quadrant of the I-10/1604 intersection in Northwest San Antonio.

Early plans call for a mix of multifamily and office development, according to Drake Commercial President Deborah Bauer.

Galleria's land has already garnered some attention thanks to Aventura, Fla.-based Turnberry Associates. In May, Turnberry and fellow South Florida developer CABI Associates announced plans for 100 acres of land that Galleria owned. The land they have sits at the southeast corner of I-10 and 1604. The two firms, in cooperation with Galleria, plan to create a 1 million-square-foot power center called Regal Hills.
Diverse use

Bauer says that she is seeing a lot of interest in the remaining 300 acres that Galleria Ventures is looking to develop.

Drake and Galleria have earmarked about 30 acres in the site -- located at the intersection of Vance Jackson and UTSA Boulevard -- for a new apartment community. Meanwhile, other portions of Galleria's land are being master-planned for some high-end residential development, including high-rise condominiums and some townhomes or garden homes.

Galleria and Drake are also working together to plot out several office projects for the I-10/1604 tract.

Having marketed several high-end developments in North San Antonio, Bauer feels that Galleria's land is ripe to bring in garden offices -- smaller buildings that would range in size from about 6,000 to 12,000 square feet. These offices would be targeted to professionals who live in the area and want to own their work space, she adds. The site could also be ideal for a new high-rise office for Northwest San Antonio.

"The site is large enough and certainly has the fabulous views that would serve for both types of projects," Bauer says. "Office buildings are going to become extremely popular in this area. You have a lot of retail going in and people living in this area. They will want to work in this area, too."

That new retail development, of course, includes Turnberry's Regal Hills shopping center. The firm hopes to begin announcing some names for the project soon -- hopefully before October is over, according to Jim Gdula, director of development for Turnberry.

Regal Hills will be located near two of the city's most talked-about retail centers: The Shops at La Cantera and The Rim.

The Shops at La Cantera, which opened its doors last month, is a 1.3 million-square-foot center at the northwest quadrant of Loop 1604 and I-10 -- cater-cornered to Regal Hills. The Rim is a 1.5 million-square-foot lifestyle center that will be located at the northeast corner of the Loop 1604/I-10 intersection -- just on the other side of Loop 1604 from Turnberry's project.

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2005/10/10/story7.html

Here's a "crappy" diagram I created showing where the 1604/10 developments will be. (Also, UTSA and Valero are reference points.)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a396/insidethe210/diagram.png

Hey San Antonio folks, here's the new convention center hotel. I'm very disappointed though, I was hoping for something much better than this. I'm at a loss for words, what happened to the original slender blue tower design? I loved the original design for it.

From Faulkner's website. The hotel will have 147 condominiums. There will be 5 levels of parking below ground. And the hotel will have 76,000 square feet of meeting space.
http://www.faulknerusa.com/home.html
http://images12.fotki.com/v240/photos/5/54967/229189/HyattGrand_Faulker-vi.jpg?640649

That's hideous! I agree with Kevin, WTF happened to the original, slender design?

please make this thread Sticky!

KSAT 12 reported yesterday that this hotel was "officially" only 33 stories and wouldn't be the next tallest structure in the city. Bummer.

http://www.lifshutz.com/images/bigtexnewlarge.jpg

Developer near Blue Star clears zoning hurdle

Web Posted: 01/18/2006 12:00 AM CST

Laura Jesse
Express-News Staff Writer

After five public votes and several contentious community meetings, public hearings and discussions, the city Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved a mixed-use project at the site of the Big Tex Grain Co. near downtown, rejecting claims that development could release potentially deadly contaminates.

Landowner and developer James Lifshutz said the development, which will have 150 residential units and 50,000 square feet of commercial space, is essentially an extension of the Blue Star Arts Complex.

Neighborhood opposition to the project emerged because of the site's history and its proximity to railroad tracks that cross the only entrance and exit for vehicles.

According to federal documents gathered by the Environmental Working Group in Washington, the W.R. Grace Co. processed 104,000 tons of contaminated vermiculite from a mine in Libby, Mont., at the site on the banks of the San Antonio River from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Vermiculite is a natural material that can be made into insulation and other construction materials. It typically does not have asbestos in it, but the government indicted seven senior Grace employees last year for conspiring to hide that the vermiculite mined in Montana — some of which was shipped to San Antonio — was contaminated with it.

During a December zoning hearing, a few residents of the nearby King William neighborhood said they were not opposed to the development itself, but wanted to make sure the surrounding areas would be safe from any possible asbestos contamination if the dirt is stirred up.

Lifshutz said he saw the results of studies on the property before he purchased it, and he paid for a separate study in February that concluded the site is safe.

He said at a December hearing that "additional testing showed there is no asbestos or vermiculite," but on Tuesday he urged the commission to make a decision based on land use and consistency with the area's master plan — not on environmental factors over which it has no jurisdiction.

"Unfortunately at the December meeting the issues normally considered by the Zoning Commission were sidetracked by other issues," he said.

Resident Santiago Escobedo stuck to his argument that the commission could deny the zoning change based on environmental concerns and make Lifshutz appeal to the City Council.

However, resident Anita Anderson said the ingress and egress issue was her primary concern and a "very critical" one, because the one way in and out was crossed by active railroad tracks.

"We have designed the density to be limited by the fact of having a single entry and exit," Lifshutz said. "We have a plat application on file and if there are issues related to access over the railroad track that would be brought up during the platting process."

Not all residents and neighboring landowners oppose the project.

Julie Hooper, a property owner near the site, turned out to support the project, which, she said, "100 percent fits in with the master plan of the area."

"I really want to echo what James said about being hopeful you would consider what are truly zoning issues," Hooper said.

Mike Casey, a longtime King William resident, lawyer and landowner, said in December the development could spur even more development in the area because it would provide a market for amenities such as convenient grocery shopping.

"There is a real lively scene motivated by art and initiated by art," he said.

The Zoning Commission approved the zoning change with an 8-2 vote, with Commissioners Eiginio Rodriguez and Henry Avila opposed. The case will be forwarded to City Council for final consideration.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA011806.08B.Big_Dirty_Tex.125a7fc1.html

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-----------------------------------

Village at Quarry Market is located in north central San Antonio, in the Quarry Market area of town, off of Basse Rd. and Jones-Maltsberger Rd.. Some 5 miles north of downtown and nearly 3 miles south of the airport.

The Village at Quarry Market will consist of 85,400 S.F. of Specialty Retail/Restaurant space and 358 Apartment/Condominium Units. As you can see, there will be two five-story residential buildings, two three-story residential buildings with ground floor retail, and two six-story parking structures. As well as a future condo or office or retail building.

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Village at Stone Oak located in far north central San Antonio off of Stone Oak Parkway and 281 some 3 miles north of 1604.

As you can see, some of the tenants of said shopping center will be Pei Wei, Borders, CHICO Soma, Chipotle,Coldwater Creek, Harold's, and a SuperTarget in the 175,000 sq. ft building, as well as many other tenants.

Hyatt well into construction Feb 2007
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/977/sd5302102vf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Staybridge almost complete
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4036/sd530223rt1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Those are the only one ive been able to catch up with...MORE TO COME!!

Bump.


The Hyatt is looking good, saw it a week ago, near the top now.

What about the Vidorra and Vistana buildings?

http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07011/downtownicon.PNG

Grand Hyatt | 33-Stories | Under Construction

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Grand1.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Grand3.jpg


The Vistana | 17-Stories | Under Construction

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http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Vistana6.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Vistana5.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Vistana1.jpg


Aloft on Houston Street | 14-Stories | Approved

http://xs322.xs.to/xs322/07011/Aloftsketchcopy-150.jpg



The Rex | 4-Stories | Approved

http://img135.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-15094/loc253/29066_TheREX2_122_253lo.jpg

http://img135.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-15094/loc253/29066_TheREX2_122_253lo.jpg



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Vidorra | 20-Stories | Tower I: Under Construction | Tower II: Will Soon Pre-Lease

http://www.vidorraliving.com/images/090707Render_Large.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Vidorra3.jpg

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http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/vidorra7.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Vidorra6.jpg

more coming later today.

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Eighteen Hundred | 4-Stories | Under Construction
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/275/eighteenhundred1df9.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1759/eighteenhundred2rp5.jpg


Broadway Lofts | 6-Stories | Approved
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8071/broadwayloftsqf7.png

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3034/broadwaylofts3ww9.png

Pearl Brewery | ?-Stories | Under Construction
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9651/pearlsignpk5.png

http://www.pearlbrewery.com/pages/enlarge/enlarged-images/enlarge_vision.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7d/PearlBreweryCurrent22.JPG/800px-PearlBreweryCurrent22.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/PearlBreweryCurrent21.JPG/800px-PearlBreweryCurrent21.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6d/PearlBreweryCurrent16.JPG/800px-PearlBreweryCurrent16.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a0/PearlBreweryCurrent03.JPG/800px-PearlBreweryCurrent03.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/86/PearlBreweryCurrent17.JPG/800px-PearlBreweryCurrent17.JPG
http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07011/southtown.PNG

St. Benedict's Condominiums | 4-Stories | Under Construction
http://www.cnu.org/sites/files/SA.png

Clay Street Flats | 4-Stories | Under Construction
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9396/subareaclaybigwi1.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4793/subaboutpaseobigml4.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9358/subcontactpvabigvm1.jpg


Big Tex | ?-Stories | Approved
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9148/bigtexnewlargekn8.jpg


http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07011/soflo.PNG

Cevallos Street | 3-Stories | Under Construction
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2235/44899cevallosstreet1224hq1.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3744/44432cevallosstreet2122jm2.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/381/44437cevallosstreet3122ay1.jpg

Judson Candy Lofts | 4-Stories | Under Construction
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2513/judsoncandyloftslj8.png

More coming later today.

http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07011/uptownbroadway.PNG

The Broadway | 20-Stories | Under Construction
http://xs109.xs.to/xs109/06465/thebroadway.PNG

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/893/dsc00032fq7.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/813/dsc00042dp2.jpg

http://xs323.xs.to/xs323/08013/northside.PNG

Quarry Village | 6-Stories | Under Construction
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1051/quarryvillageak4.png

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6488/quarryvillage2pp7.png

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3383/quarryvillage3xs7.png

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/1044/quarryvillage4nx9.png

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7581/quarryvillage5kx9.png

CLICK HERE FOR VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE QUARRY VILLAGE (http://www.reatarealestate.com/media/QuarryVillage.wmv)


Park North Plaza | 1.2 Million Square Feet | Under Construction
http://www.clickitsa.com/images/stories/NorthCentralNews/Dec20/parknorth500.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9758/sd531146nr9.jpg

http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07011/farnorthside.PNG


The Reflection | 500,000 Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1346/thereflectioncn0.png


Tacara | 900,000 Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Soon Will Begin Construction
http://www.tacara-texas.com/images/ParkViewWeb.jpg

http://www.tacara-texas.com/images/FountainViewWeb.jpg

http://www.tacara-texas.com/images/ParkingViewWeb.jpg

http://www.tacara-texas.com/images/281ViewWeb.jpg



Stone Ridge | 400,000 Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction
http://xs108.xs.to/xs108/06453/stoneridge2.PNG

http://xs108.xs.to/xs108/06453/stoneridge3.PNG


Park Place | 24-Acres | Mixed-Use | Under Construction
Proposed for this development are a 425-room Sheraton hotel, 18-lane underground bowling alley, 3-4 story aquarium, Emeril Lagasse restaurant and a 2,500 seat entertainment venue plus more.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210/cybercliff/P1010976-1.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210/cybercliff/P1010977.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210/cybercliff/P1010975.jpg

Agora Palms | 1.2 Million Square Feet| Mixed-Use | Under Construction
http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07495/agorapalms.PNG


New Tesoro Headquaters | 600,000 Square Feet| Under Construction
This new high-rise will be part of a new Class-A office park called Ridgewood Park which is currently under construction as well.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5954/tesorohq2iu4.png

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1891/tesoro3mf7.png

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5843/tesoro4yc0.png


Legacy | One Million Square Feet| Under Construction
http://www.santikos.com/realestate/legacy/Legacy-DaytimePersp.jpg

http://www.santikos.com/realestate/legacy/3.jpg

http://www.santikos.com/realestate/legacy/4.jpg

Legacy | 150,000 Square Feet| Under Construction
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2807/74691061qo8.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3045/70468407nf2.jpg

http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07011/farnorthwest.PNG

La Joya | 300-Acres | Mixed-Use | Approved/Soon To Begin Construction

http://img168.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-9189/loc1094/66624_lajoya2_122_1094lo.JPG

http://img156.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-3663/loc1033/66625_lajoya3_122_1033lo.JPG

http://img134.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-7757/loc600/66618_lajoya_122_600lo.JPG

http://img166.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-5105/loc971/66328_La-Joya-Masterplan_122_971lo.jpg


Shops at La Cantera Phase II | 300,000 Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction
This will be a 300,000 square foot addition to the current 1 million square foot Shops at La Cantera

http://www.usaarealco.com/images/buildToSuits/36_large.jpg

Eilan | 1.8 Million Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction

http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/E7F141C5-8CC4-42C4-9EF7-1B57D3E88783/562964/EilanMainRenderingPic1.jpg

http://xs322.xs.to/xs322/07494/eilan7.PNG

Medical Arts And Research Center | 11-Stories | Under Construction

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/844/8storykw2.png


Rialto Village | 250,000 Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8466/rialtovillagepy8.png

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2465/rialtovillage2ww3.png


The Rim | 1,000-Acres | Mixed-Use | Under Construction

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3945/00848therimcomplete1227mq2.jpg


The Shops at the Rim | 2,000,000 Square Feet | Retail | Under Construction
Currently under construction this mammaoth development will have 2 million square feet of retail and is the main portion of retail for The Rim. It is anchored by a Bass Pro Shop, Lifetime Fitness and the massive Palladium movie theater (pictured below). Construction on The Shops at The Rim is 75% complete

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5408/00225theshopsattherim11du4.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8232/pallayb2.png

The Village at The Rim | 500,000 Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction
To include a 13-story hotel, 300,000 Square Feet of high-end and upscale retail, 100,000 square feet of office and residential units

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5780/01149thevillageattherimpf0.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8973/01147thevillageattherimcr1.jpg


The Landmark | 2,000,000 Million Square Feet | Mixed-Use | Under Construction

http://xs320.xs.to/xs320/07420/thelandmark.PNG

http://xs122.xs.to/xs122/07486/thelandmark4_002.JPG

Much more to come later

Much more to come.

Thanks Popnfresh. I will go to San Antonio next week for vacations and all this information results very interesting for me, in order to see the development of this city.

Ugh yeahh *Cough*

I guess i'll update this thread....

Boutique Hotel|24 FL| Pro

Renderings:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/3288808690_37a6abdefb_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3288811870_3ec3379638_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3287994787_dc3849d946_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3288812552_3914ea8726_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3287993029_4bcb328303_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/3288810102_992f1562b3_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3287994279_c3629e2bfe_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3288809156_418c0fe0b9_o.png

Aloft Hotel| 15FL| App

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2933085487_404798e840_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2933943632_65a7ba0c65_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2933085711_705b9482a2_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2933943872_790f18eb28_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2933086783_93e72b717a_o.png

New Justice Center| 10FL |u/c

Rendering:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3053015241_31fc0157eb.jpg?v=0


Whitte Building| 4FL| Pro

Site: www.Douglasarchitects.com

Brief:This unique historic property is located downtown at a fork on the San Antonio River. The client, Riverwalk Acquisitions, plans to create a mixed-use development to include restaurant, office and residential components.

Renerings:
http://www.douglasarchitects.net/var/uploads/witte1.jpg
http://www.douglasarchitects.net/var/uploads/witte2.jpg

2121 Broadway

http://www.incidentlight.com/images/OnAveB.jpg
http://www.incidentlight.com/images/Pool12thAveA.jpg
http://www.incidentlight.com/images/avebsouth.jpg
http://www.incidentlight.com/images/BwaySEcorner.jpg
http://www.incidentlight.com/images/bwayncorner.jpg

/ Construction Update \

Vistana

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3221236948_4eea8ce2fe.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3221236714_e1a18f308f.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3220385937_3bb6cf0ac9.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/3221234942_bfc5db305c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/3221232840_62ffc4c2d8.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3220382807_9840a4876b.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3221232090_e73436af57.jpg?v=0
new walgreens on the left side of the pic
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/3221239224_70bd2c2960.jpg?v=0
(From Miaht82 on SSP)

Broadway
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/3218735374_a4943229bc.jpg?v=0
(Miaht82 from SSP)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/jaga185/Photo0103.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/jaga185/Photo0104.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/jaga185/Photo0105.jpg
(From Jaga185 on SSP)

Post more l8ter....?

bump. I want updates!!!!!!

^^ Start here: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=129468

sweet.

-

I'll just post stuff on here, since this thread needs an update badly and I'm bored.:nuts:

Proposed 24-Story Boutique hotel is back on the agenda.
http://www.douglasarchitects.net/var/uploads/SAHotel2.jpg
Douglas Architects (http://www.douglasarchitects.net/index.php/projects/SA_Hotel_Development#)

Proposed 25-Floor Presidio Tower
http://www.sprinkleco.com/images/Presidio.jpg
Sprinkle & Co. Architects (http://www.sprinkleco.com/presidio.html)

211 units to be built in the Pearl Brewery. These are the apartment renderings.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4808052569_b643330a13_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4808052569_b643330a13_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4808672434_14f93d2b0a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4808672434_14f93d2b0a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4805393458_b64216e0a3_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4805393458_b64216e0a3_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4805437584_59f18fa8bb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4805437584_59f18fa8bb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4804811289_6bf02c7fc5_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4804811289_6bf02c7fc5_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4805437036_8490921125_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4805437036_8490921125_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4805393784_2e7729691a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4805393784_2e7729691a_b.jpg

Continued.
Work on Cevallos Street Lofts have begun. Here are renderings.
Alamo Architects (http://www.alamoarchitects.com/projects/urban/Cevallos-Street/)

Renderings of University Health-Center Downtown
Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityhealthsystem/4706755425/in/set-72157624290474660/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4706755425_b3dfaf17c0.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4706755431_dff684d963.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4706755433_0290507a02.jpg

Tobin Municipal Auditorium expected to be completed 2013
Site (http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/bexarperformingarts/42366/)
http://i45.tinypic.com/28ml4y.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/29o64qr.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/av0svo.jpg
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/bexarperformingarts/42366/images/42366-hi-Nightime_Angle.jpg

Continued.
RiverCenter Mall Redevelopment
SA Partnership (http://www.sapartnership.com/projects.html)
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/20090511rivercenter2.jpg
http://www.sapartnership.com/i/project_img_rivercentermall_1.jpg
http://www.sapartnership.com/i/project_img_rivercentermall_2.jpg
http://www.sapartnership.com/i/project_img_rivercentermall_3.jpg
http://www.sapartnership.com/i/project_img_rivercentermall_4.jpg
http://www.sapartnership.com/i/project_img_rivercentermall_5.jpg
*Rumors* From mall's wiki site
Planned Change of Ownership

In June of 2005, Ashkenazy purchased the mall and took ownership of it a few months later. When the properties were first built, Marriott Owned Rivercenter Mall and as stated in the contract, Marriott is to receive ownership of the mall should it be sold. Contract Infringement is said to have taken place.

In January 2010, unoffically, Host Hotels/Marriott Corporation will announce the acquisition of the Rivercenter Mall. Several meetings are scheduled to take place at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in January 2010 to discuss the acquisition of the mall. Unoffical plans are to expand the 3rd floor meeting rooms of the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel and build a bigger ballroom in the existing unused space. This would directly affect the Grand Hyatt and transform the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel into the largest convention hotel in South Texas.

Several stores in the mall have announced their closure. This has not been confirmed with the purchasing of a new owner.

The old five-floor Dillard's/Joseke's building is planned to be the newest ballrooms of the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. Each Floor will receive a junior to grand ballroom with 10 meeting rooms on each floor. The 5th floor of the building would be a grand ballroom. The Fashion Level of the mall would become Marriott Rivercenter Hotel's newest meeting space. Each of the stores would be transformed into a meeting room. (Similar to the meeting rooms at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center). Mall patrons would not have access to this level. The only access to this level would be through Marriott Rivercenter Hotel's big glass window located on the third floor. Parking would be affected by the transformation of the property. Centeral Parking System's Commerce Street Garage is expected to now be a relief Parking Garage owned and operated by Towne Park Valet of the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. Fogo De Chao's valet parking will be on "A" and "B" levels. Levels "C" and "D",would become hotel patron parking. Level "E" and "F" would become Marriott Rivercenter Hotel's employee parking.

*Several new stores are planned to be opened. Plans are to make the mall resemble the "Miracle Mile Shops" at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Niemen Marcus, Nordstrom, the Apple Store, Gucci, and several other high-end fashion stores are planned to open as well. The mall is also expected to have a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art video, lighting, and audio show. Unconfirmed operation of this is expected to be the existing A/V Department of the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. A historical view of the City of San Antonio will be shown. "The San Antonio Experience will be the unoffical name of the show.*

If the acquistion takes place, construction is said to start July 2010 with a finishing date of Fall 2012.
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivercenter)

200 unit, mixed-use, mixed-income development on River North
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4707384357_ed37834dba_b.jpg
SAHA 2009 Draft Plan (http://www.saha.org/aboutsaha/pdfs/09%20PHA%20plan/2009%20PHA%20Plan%20Responses.pdf)

Texas A&M University at San Antonio main building already under construction.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4465087905_b668219157_o.jpg

Apart of the master plan
PDF (http://www.centralmediaserver.com/WOAI/tamusapresentation.pdf)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2924033318_7e66ce6329_o.png
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2924032518_0e8443e3e8_o.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/jaga185/5.jpg

SAF Studios motion picture complex
First studio
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs062.snc3/12966_214954917901_214954297901_2997233_1386582_n.jpg
SAF Studios (http://www.safstudio.com/)

Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/SA_film_company_breaks_ground.html) about it.

Brooke Army Medical Center expansion project
http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/20100727bamc650.jpg
Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/Bigger_BAMC_taking_shape_99293579.html)

Continued.
Eilan under construction.
http://www.eilan.com/assets/img/aerial-view-dusk.jpg
Eilan (http://www.eilan.com/)

Proposed redevelopment of North Star Mall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4451273253_cfcba780aa.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4452048056_cc179a2f23.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kr7lOkl0LL8/Szo_6pVtgXI/AAAAAAAAAgU/d7BaRWwEy4k/s1600-h/newnorths.png
Site (http://www.bokapowell.com/#/retail/3/)

New renderings on Rivercenter mall.
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac68/arturo_pro/IMAG0060.jpg

From tgannaway89
UTSA housing developments to start next year
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/338/newhousingplat.jpg
http://www.utsa.edu/

Cevallos Street has new renderings. Construction has aleardy started.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4906004724_ba0f63e6f9_z.jpg
http://www.alamoarchitects.com/projects/urban/Cevallos-Street/

Construction set to start on "Broadway Eyesore"
(http://www.woai.com/mostpopular/story/Construction-set-to-start-on-Broadway-Eyesore/B5ww0X0i5k6mgZEL3w3LAg.cspx)
Their legal troubles are over, their funding is in, and now construction will begin next month.

"We have our financing lined up to complete the project. We're going to build 268 apartments and a 530 car garage. As well as rebuild all the streets and sidewalks around,” Adelman said.

The Downtown Business Alliance is hoping once construction starts on this project it will ignite more development.

http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/1221-broadway/1221-broadway-2.jpg

http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/1221-broadway/1221-broadway-1.jpg
Lake Flato (http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/1221-broadway/#)

The Ricchi Condominiums
http://www.thericchi.com/photos/courtyard.jpg
http://www.thericchi.com/photos/interior.jpg
The Ricchi (http://www.thericchi.com/)

UTSA enrollment tops 30,000 (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/utsa_enrollment_tops_30000_101698463.html)
Students seem more interested in getting involved and more people are hanging around campus after classes, dancing on taped-down cardboard while a boombox plays, or sitting at tables recruiting members for their clubs, sororities and fraternities.

“It's becoming a more well-rounded university,” said Harris, a junior from Houston. “In five to seven years, it's going to be up there with UT-Austin and LSU (Louisiana State University).”

Preliminary enrollment is up at San Antonio's other public institutions as well. The Alamo Colleges is up 6 percent to 65,000 and Texas A&M University-San Antonio is up 34 percent to 3,140.

New renderings of Municipal Auditorium
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4942836371_986b8a4541_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4943422340_3ceaa97be2_b.jpg
http://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/Docs/HDRC/Cases_26_%20UDC_Amendments_r.pdf

S.A.-Austin market data could be combined (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/sa-austin_market_data_could_be_combined_103170419.html)
NEW BRAUNFELS — The Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council is taking preliminary steps to have the federal government combine San Antonio and Austin metropolitan areas into a “consolidated statistical area” by 2013 that could lift the region to the 15th-largest U.S. urban area on some lists.

New renderings of Municipal Auditorium
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4942836371_986b8a4541_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4943422340_3ceaa97be2_b.jpg
http://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/Docs/HDRC/Cases_26_%20UDC_Amendments_r.pdf

ewww...can't they leave it as it is? i'm glad it's not being destroyed, but the changes don't look right from the renders.

-

ewww...can't they leave it as it is? i'm glad it's not being destroyed, but the changes don't look right from the renders.

-

I think it was rejected because the HDRC did not think the styles complimented each other well, so we might see other renderings later.


The YMCA summit: working out a long-term plan (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/the_ymca_summit_working_out_a_long-term_plan_103222234.html)


Mayor says the city must do better on education (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/Mayor_says_the_city_must_do_better_on_education_103018049.html)

Eilan Hotel is going up.
http://www.eilan.com/assets/img/side-hotel-large.jpg

3 firms coming to InCube in S.A. (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/3_incube_labs_cos_announced_103969159.html)
Companies aiming to produce three cutting-edge biotechnology devices — implants detecting heart failure and another detecting and preventing epileptic seizures, plus a skin patch for women with iron deficiencies — will be the first three moving to San Antonio's biotech business incubator, Gov. Rick Perry and InCube Laboratories Inc. Chairman Mir Imran announced Tuesday.

The trio of early-stage companies from San Jose, Calif., will begin operations in InCube's incubator, called the San Antonio Innovation Center, opening in November.

Noticeably absent from the event was Mayor Julián Castro. Imran said Castro was leading a San Antonio delegation to San Diego to recruit yet another, still unidentified, California biotechnology company to come to San Antonio.

A&M-San Antonio celebrates its first chief (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/ferrier_inaugurated_at_am-san_antonio_103965669.html?c=y&page=1#storytop)
Construction began on the campus' first multipurpose building in May, and a topping out ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 5. The building is expected to be finished by August.

In just a few years, regents for the Texas A&M University System expect the San Antonio campus to be the second-largest in the 11-university system.

NuStar to begin construction on new corporate campus
(http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2010/09/27/daily6.html?surround=lfn)
NuStar Energy LP will officially break ground on its new $100 million corporate campus in North San Antonio this week.

The company bought the 32-acre tract of land for the campus back in February from Atlanta-based Thomas Enterprises Inc. NuStar is investing in a 300,000-square-foot building to house its executive offices and administrative operations.

Plans for Little Italy in San Antonio (http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Plans-for-Little-Italy-in-San-Antonio/Be-B97lSlk-XZfB5l4tvsw.cspx)
It would be built in the heart of San Antonio's Italian community near Martin and San Saba Streets downtown. San Francesco di Paola Church and The Christopher Columbus Italian Society meeting hall would be at the center of the project. Members of the society say they would like to use the land behind Columbus Hall for a building that has Italian-style architecture, apartments and shops. Frank Monaco is the man behind the project. He showed News 4 WOAI an artist's rendering of Little Italy.


S.A. wooing West Coast companies (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/san_diego_firm_eyeing_san_antonio_expansion_104045334.html)
San Antonio officials just back from a recruiting trip confirmed that the city is in the running to land at least one San Diego-based company by the end of the year. San Antonio also is expected to see three or four more corporate expansions before 2011.

And about the infamous The Rim bankruptcy

The Rim, lender reach agreement (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/the_rim_lender_reach_agreement_104036599.html)
The Rim shopping center companies and lender Starwood Capital Group have worked out an agreement that allows the bankrupt companies to continue to use rents to operate.

The companies filed for bankruptcy in November to stop a foreclosure on a portion of the buildings land at the center.

Long-stalled Broadway project moves forward (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/long-stalled_broadway_project_moves_forward_104184674.html)
The long-stalled and highly visible 1221 Broadway project received a $23.4 million loan this week, giving a shot in the arm to downtown and the city's efforts to draw more rental housing and mixed-use development to the area.

Workers put up safety railings Friday, and construction work could start as early as Sunday, the developer said. They hope to have the first residents in apartments in April, with the entire project finishing in a year.
http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/16820350+-+1221++BROADWAY.jpg
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/20101001broadway500.jpg

Former Le Rêve space envisioned as another fine dining restaurant (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/2010/10/former-le-reve-space-envisione.html)
Weissman once operated the nationally-acclaimed French restaurant Le Rêve and the less-pricey Sandbar Fish House & Market out of the building at 152 E. Pecan St. Last year in October, Weissman closed Le Rêve and moved the Sandbar to The Pearl, while opening Italian eatery Il Sogno there, as well.

Now, Michael Sohocki, one of Weissman's chefs at Il Sogno, has leased the former Le Rêve location and hopes to open a fine dining restaurant there by spring 2011. Sohocki said he'd rather wait a while before releasing the name of the restaurant.

C.H. Guenther & Sons HQ's awaiting approval
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5043407226_2fb87241d2_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5042790149_a1dae1efc4_z.jpg

Luxury Restaurant in River North awaiting approval
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5043478634_e00e130325_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5042854241_bd03a68193_z.jpg

Articles are a few months old, but still good information.

Breaks Ground on 536 Acre Motion Picture Sound Studio and Entertainment Complex (http://www.getnside.com/sa/magazine/business/current/articles/1557-SAF_Studios/)
“Over the next five years SAF Studios will become a massive complex of moviemaking facilities, support facilities and retail sites with a hotel complex. The price tag could go up to $300 million,” Ortiz said.

SAF Studios catches eye of directors and producers (http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/la-prensa-san-antonio-tex/mi_8139/is_20100707/saf-studios-catches-eye-directors/ai_n54540769/)
Al Frakes, SAF' s President and CEO, along with Lennie Turpin, SAF' s chief financial officer, are working hard to ensure the studio transforms into a highly visited tourist attraction, similar to that of Universal Studios in California.

This major addition to the city will house facilities that would be necessary for filming major films. On site they will feature nine sound stages ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 square feet, seven lakes, and two large hotels. With features like these, SAF Studios can film a wider range of major motion pictures that may require special sets with a western or New York theme.

From tgannaway
http://destinoliving.com/images/Untitled-4.png
http://destinoliving.com/home.html


Destino Video (http://vimeo.com/10416785)

Parking garage, office space, and retail
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3392/utsarender1.jpg

Outside court at dowtown UTSA campus
http://www.utsa.edu/today/images/graphics/dtbball.jpg

1st phase of Verano with 140 lofts over retail
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/3/F/4/xy_3F4F6971-91AE-407B-B2CA-B6E66597991B__.jpg

Medical office park at Stone Oak
http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=1F2ACED7-6B0D-419C-8EC6-6E287ED0D0A8&Extension=jpg&Width=631&Height=421

Retail at Broadway
http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=0EDCA90B-6467-435B-9BCD-D96DBE974275&Extension=jpg&Width=631&Height=421

Restaurant at Market Street and Presa
http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=B06B90F6-B348-4B8A-91F5-5FFC15529E84&Extension=JPG&Width=631&Height=421

Little Italy rendering on the bottom
http://www.ccis-satx.org/images/img8.jpg

Group envisions 'Little Italy' in downtown S.A. (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/community_envisions_little_italy_in_downtown_sa_104672914.html)
But this year, the cultural organization unveiled plans for a “Little Italy” concept it hopes will bring together the city's Italian-American community and serve as a focal point for tourists and shoppers.

“The idea is to bring the community back downtown,” said Italian Society secretary Frank Monaco, who spearheaded plans for the Little Italy concept.

The plans call for developing land behind Columbus Hall to create a small, mixed-used development, reminiscent of a town in the Calabria region of Southern Italy, which once was home to many of the Italian immigrant families who moved to San Antonio.


Culinary building adds to the Pearl's sense of community (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/new_culinary_building_adds_to_pearls_growing_presence_104592624.html)
http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/16776624+-+CIA+HM+-+09_24_2010.jpg
The new CIA Building at the Pearl Brewery brings the culinary campus to 30,000 square feet, allowing both the professional education and foodie outreach programs to grow.

The five-story, 213,796-square-foot building includes restaurant, retail, office space and a 400-car parking garage. Eight apartments, including two penthouses, on the upper floors of the building will bring more near-downtown housing to the Pearl Brewery.

Christus to develop new urban hospital (http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2010/10/04/story1.html?b=1286164800^4019341)
http://assets.bizjournals.com/db_image/2280971-339.jpg
Christus Santa Rosa Health System plans to spend roughly $25 million to expand an existing building along U.S. Highway 281 south of Loop 410 into a new surgical specialty hospital.

Officials with the nonprofit Christus believe the new hospital represents a major step in the creation of a medical campus for the Alamo Heights area.


Castro goes to Washington with an eye on transit, roads (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Castro_goes_to_Washington_with_an_eye_on_transit_roads_104695004.html)
Administration officials clearly see transportation projects as the shortest path to creating the kind of jobs that would blast the economy out of its current lethargy. On Sunday, they said they planned to ask Congress for a front-loaded $50 billion investment in the nation’s infrastructure.

That bodes well for San Antonio, which has been pushing for federal help on transportation already, including bus rapid transit, a modern streetcar system for downtown, and maybe even light rail.

On the transit side, they could include a high-speed rail line to Austin and any of the projects San Antonio’s already been looking for help on.

But if shovel-ready is still one of the criteria, the fun political play for Castro might be to look for federal assistance in finally doing something about congestion on U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 — easily the most talked-about local traffic problem. With enough federal help, maybe it’s possible to find a fix that doesn’t involve toll roads.

Pearl Hotel - retail/restaurant in a 7-story tower at the Pearl Brewery
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac214/arhavel/Picture4.png

Proposed Pearl site
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9459/planxm.png
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/614/arial.png
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5009/entry.png

River North Exhbit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxHiRQgSUX8

What's the latest on the light rail initiatives in San An?

First contracts awarded for a new Wilford Hall (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/first_contracts_awarded_for_new_wilford_hall_105216784.html)
With plans to eventually demolish Wilford Hall Medical Center, the Air Force has appropriated $65.8 million to start construction on the first phase of a new medical facility at Lackland AFB.

The new Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will expand outpatient surgical and clinical services in a 681,000-square-foot building that will be next to the current hospital's location. Construction on a 1,000-space parking structure will start in early 2011, and later next year work will begin on a primary-care center and an energy plant.
http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/20101018wilfordhall.jpg

But will they suggest a nude beach for HemisFair this time? (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/realestate/2010/10/hemisfair-team-in-place.html)
team will be led by the Los Angeles-based Johnson Fain , and will include San Antonio's Poteet Architects, Pape-Dawson Engineers, William Dupont of the University of Texas at San Antonio and the Olin Studio of Philadelphia, among others.

All about Linda Pace mueseum
Linda Pace Foundation picks director-curator (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/linda_pace_foundation_names_new_executive_director_96197474.html)
Plans for a museum to house the Pace Foundation's collection of more than 500 contemporary art works have been on the drawing board for a few years.

Details on Pace Museum Trickle Out (http://www.emvergeoning.com/?p=1288)
Some are anticipating that the museum, when completed, will be as important as the Menil in Houston (we’ll see…). Adjaye has already created a model for the museum which was sort of viewable through the glass of a locked office door in the Linda Pace Foundation offices during an event last night. I just caught a quick glimpse, but the model seemed less boxy than some of Adjaye’s more well-known projects, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver (above).

In the red (http://www.sacurrent.com/arts/story.asp?id=70266)
Famed British architect David Adjaye’s preliminary design for the collection of the late San Antonio art patron Linda Pace features cantilevered skylights above four spacious galleries. Designated for Camp Street in a spot currently occupied by an old warehouse, the building will be clad in red, the signature color for Pace, who once dreamed of an idyllic “ruby city” and named the book about her creation of Artpace’s internationally respected artist-residency program Dreaming Red.
David Adjaye
(http://www.adjaye.com/)

What's the latest on the light rail initiatives in San An?
I think they are trying to make it open to the public for vote in Nov. and that VIA is still in the planning process of it(I think).

Recently the mayor went to D.C. to try to get funding for transportation projects. Plans for the streetcar system are definitely closer to reality imo.

Here's a sneak peek at the new and improved Briscoe Museum on Market Street:

Located on the banks of the beautiful San Antonio River Walk, the Dolph and Janey Briscoe Western Art Museum will reside in a historic location. It is less than a ten minute stroll from the Alamo. The Main entrance and ‘’anchor’’ building was built in 1929 and was the original Main Library of San Antonio as part of the Carnegie Library System during that era. All three floors of this historic building will have galleries of art and artifacts.

Rear View:http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/joey777max/briscoebuilding2.jpg

Visitors will cross over an enclosed bridge to the newly constructed galleries and Pavilion. The newly constructed venue will complement the original main building. Building design of the facility is in the hands of the prestigious, award winning firm of Lake/Flato Architects. The top two floors of the new venue will be gallery space. The first floor Pavilion will be available for rent year around for meetings, conferences, private lunches and dinners, receptions, etc. It will have seating for 340 table guests overlooking the San Antonio River and The Museum’s Sculpture Garden. Museum visitors and Pavilion guests can easily enter both venues from the Market Street entrance or directly from the River Walk.

The Museum gratefully acknowledges the Bexar County Venue Programs Office for its generous contribution of four million dollars from the bond issue passed by voters last May. This contribution will be used for the construction and completion of the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

Front View:http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/joey777max/briscoebuilding1.jpg

BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM
210 W. Market Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205Municipal Auditorium makeover concept approved (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/municipal_auditorium_makeover_concept_approved_105395298.html)Preliminary designs for modernizing Municipal Auditorium into a dazzling performance center were approved Wednesday by the Historic and Design Review Commission, with the caveat that more tinkering should be done to the proposed exterior look.

The commission's unanimous vote came amid lingering concerns about the visual impact of a veil-like covering that would shroud a large addition to the 1926 landmark. Some commission members contended the covering would detract from the building's historic character.

Backed by $100 million in Bexar County venue tax proceeds and more than $32 million in private funds, the plan calls for the auditorium to be called the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, reopening in 2013 The approved vision keeps the well-known façade and sides of the auditorium. Within the remaining U-shaped shell, a high-rising theater with 1,750 seats and world-class acoustics, and a 230-seat rehearsal theater would be built. The performance center also would gain new technology, a contemporary Riverwalk portal and other upgrades.http://i52.tinypic.com/2nup3tk.jpg

I dont know if I like the new design for the auditorium.

Hannah, do you know where I can get information about the neighborhood that was removed to make space for the Hemisfair?

Yeah that new design for the auditorium is a little too funky, especially with the contrasting Spanish Colonial architecture.

Hannah, do you know where I can get information about the neighborhood that was removed to make space for the Hemisfair?

I think I might have found something.
http://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/Districts/HemisFair.aspx

I have a couple of quick questions if anyone can answer them

1. When will class start for the A&M site? And how small or massive will the site be in the next 5-10yrs?
2. Can someone tell me the location of the Elian Hotel

I dont know if I like the new design for the auditorium.

Hannah, do you know where I can get information about the neighborhood that was removed to make space for the Hemisfair?

Sorry to have delayed your question for I've been pretty busy and have only had time to check in on here once in awhile. I hope diablo234 answered your question, but I also found this PDF on pre-Hemisfair land. Site History (http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/hemisfair/04a_site_history.pdf)

I have a couple of quick questions if anyone can answer them

1. When will class start for the A&M site? And how small or massive will the site be in the next 5-10yrs?
2. Can someone tell me the location of the Elian Hotel
Texas A&M University already has students enrolled. It's expected to be finished in just a few years, but I'd guess that, if their vision is accurate, it will be pretty built out in 4 or 5 years if everything goes as planned.
http://www.tamusa.tamus.edu/

Eilan Hotel is located in the Eilan complex on the far northwest side, on La Cantera Parkway, across 1604 from the Rim.
http://www.eilan.com/location.html




I assume this is a major reason as to why renovation on North Star Mall hasn't been in progress and that activity could begin in the near future.
North Star's parent to emerge from bankruptcy
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/north_stars_parent_to_emerge_from_bankruptcy_106341168.html)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4451273253_cfcba780aa.jpg
http://www.bokapowell.com/#/retail/3/



Planners envision a little Paris in Midtown-Brackenridge plan (http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/planners_envision_a_little_paris_in_midtown-brackenridge_plan_105801728.html)
According to Polikov, one of the goals in the master plan, is to create a pedestrian-friendly environment with reverse angle parking, bike paths, bistros and quaint shops. The city of San Antonio is working with the San Antonio River Authority on the master plan, which sees an enhanced lower Broadway as key toward redevelopment efforts in the Midtown/Brackenridge Park area north of downtown.

From tgannaway
http://destinoliving.com/images/Untitled-4.png
http://destinoliving.com/home.html


Destino Video (http://vimeo.com/10416785)

Parking garage, office space, and retail
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3392/utsarender1.jpg

Outside court at dowtown UTSA campus
http://www.utsa.edu/today/images/graphics/dtbball.jpg

1st phase of Verano with 140 lofts over retail
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/3/F/4/xy_3F4F6971-91AE-407B-B2CA-B6E66597991B__.jpg

Medical office park at Stone Oak
http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=1F2ACED7-6B0D-419C-8EC6-6E287ED0D0A8&Extension=jpg&Width=631&Height=421

Retail at Broadway
http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=0EDCA90B-6467-435B-9BCD-D96DBE974275&Extension=jpg&Width=631&Height=421

Restaurant at Market Street and Presa
http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=B06B90F6-B348-4B8A-91F5-5FFC15529E84&Extension=JPG&Width=631&Height=421these developments are really nice. i love the concepts!!!:okay:

^ The last two should give those areas some good activity. By the way, for those who don't know and those wondering about Texas A&M on the southside, the Verano nieghborhood in my post that rockin'.baltimorean quoted is the neighborhood incorporated into the campus.

Northside Swim Center design unveiled (http://www.nisd.net/news/articles/887)
Center, effectively giving the green light on a project that will make NISD a nationally-renowned destination for swimming competitions and provide desperately needed ‘water space' for Northside athletes.

Construction of the Northside Swim Center - a 50-meter, Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool and 25-meter diving pool - is expected to begin at the Farris Athletic Complex by May 2011 and be completed by the summer of 2013, said Vernon Dunagin, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities & Operations.

The outdoor swim center will feature shaded seating for 2,400 spectators as well as high-tech timing, lighting, sound and video scoreboard systems. Locker room facilities will accommodate as many as 1,200 athletes.

Embassy Suites Hotels opens downtown location (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/embassy_suites_hotels_opens_downtown_location_106790943.html)
Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk — Downtown, the third Embassy Suites in San Antonio, has one- and two-bedroom suites. Its panoramic, multistory lobby has direct views of the River Walk. The 285-suite property has nearly 12,000 square feet worth of meeting space that can accommodate 900 people.

The hotel also will incorporate a new restaurant, Lüke, featuring French and German cuisine. The restaurant, which will open next week, will be Chef John Besh's first venture outside of the New Orleans area.

By the way, today was Texas A&M's topping out ceremony of new campus grounds.
http://www.tamusa.tamus.edu/universitycommunications/news/toppingout.html

So there is definitely some work being done there.

from SSP


Tobin Hill residents laud renewal efforts (http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/north_central/tobin_hill_residentslaud_renewal_efforts_108441924.html?c=y&page=1#storytop)
By Edmond Ortiz - Editor/North Central News

Banners will go up around the Tobin Hill neighborhood, just north of downtown San Antonio, designed to give residents and visitors an instant, impressive message: Business here is good.

....................

Kelley said a request for proposals recently went out for a $30 million mixed-use development project at North Main and Laurel near Crockett Park.

“It's hugely important to note that more residential spaces are going up in and around downtown. More people are living and working around here, and this mixed-use project will affect that,” she said

Here is more info from the ACC website (http://www.alamo.edu/district/facilities/THRS/THRS.aspx).

from one of the PDF's (http://www.alamo.edu/district/facilities/THRS/Final%20RFQ%20for%20Tobin%20Hill.pdf)

Project Summary
Property - The Site is located adjacent to San Antonio College along Main Avenue.
Approximately 1 ½ miles from Downtown San Antonio.
Location - The Site is at the Southeast corner of the San Antonio College Campus, in an established retail area with numerous restaurants, retail stores, and related businesses.
Site Condition - The Site contains several small structures that are slated for demolition. The remainder of the Site is occupied by a paved, surface parking lot.
Infrastructure - City sewer and water, natural gas, electric and telephone are all available to the Site Fiber optic cable and Wi-Fi are also available.
Intended Land Use - Mixes of uses which demonstrate the highest and best use of the Site; incorporating mid- and high-rise structures with low-rise components, including residential, retail, service, entertainment and institutional uses.Scope of SAC Projects - A 100,000 sf Educational Building and a 2,000 Ton Satellite Physical Plant will be located on the SAC Campus. A 1,000 space Joint-Use will be locating within the study area.

Thats alot of space for someone to work with, especially since they will be allowed to go up.

Edit:

In other DT news, besides the opening of Lüke on Monday, we also have a Bar & Grill opening soon on Houston near Alamo Plaza, a possible BBQ place on Broadway where Tongs Thai was supposed to be, and Taco Garage opening where the IHOP Cafe was at the Vistana; Subway is opened on Santa Rosa side at the Vistana. Thats a good local and non-chain mix (except Subway of course) for Houston St. to counter some of the Riverwalk action; could be reason enough for people to venture up.

Some info I got on Eilan

Wereldhave NV Announces 3rd Quarter Results (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/wrdef_wereldhave-nv-announces-3rd-quarter-results-1300679.html)
The two offices of the Eilan development project in San Antonio in the

United States were completed during the third quarter and have been

transferred to the investment portfolio. In spite of interest from

several prospective tenants, no lettings can yet be reported. The

construction of the remainder of the first phase, approx. 500

apartments, a hotel and several commercial facilities, is proceeding

according to schedule. Completion is due as from the last quarter of

2011.

The State of Downtown (http://downtownalliance.posterous.com/state-of-downtown)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5202619205_7d8ed2c187_b.jpg
Concept for Convention Center Expansion

San Antonio lures major PETCO support center with strong incentives package (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2010/11/22/san-antonio-lures-major-petco-support.html)
PETCO Animal Supply Inc., a leading national pet specialty retailer, says it will create a new satellite support center in San Antonio that will eventually employ up to 400 people.

That new National Support Center will serve as an extension of the company’s San Diego headquarters.

Castro says the company is expected to bring “significant, decision-making jobs” to San Antonio.

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/912/sanewssky.png


Big business news as it seems China wants to make San Antonio the center for U.S.-Chinese commerce.

The Chinese government wants to make San Antonio the center for U.S.-Chinese commerce, starting with a $20 million apparel showroom/warehouse complex that would open in the first quarter of 2011, Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff said Thursday.

Between 10 and 12 Chinese company owners will visit San Antonio on Jan. 3-12 to select a site for the pilot venture that has been approved by the Chinese Counselor's Office of the State Council, which is roughly equivalent to the U.S. Commerce Department, Wolff said.

The Chinese will seek existing space for a 20,000-square-foot showroom and a 70,000-square-foot warehouse so buyers for U.S. retail chains can select Chinese-made apparel instead of traveling to Hong Kong and other parts of China.

If the first phase involving apparel is successful, the next step could be a trade mart, similar to an international trade mart in Dallas, for Chinese-produced goods in numerous industries, Wolff said.

Bexar County's Economic Development Department is angling for similar activity in the automotive and biomedical industries.

“We don't ... understand the scale of this opportunity yet. It's very large,” said Kyle Burns, president and CEO of the Free Trade Alliance San Antonio.

He added that the Chinese “are testing us. If it works, it opens the doors to any industry in China, whatever they want to do. We are working with the highest level of government in China. They want to make sure they have a community they can work with.”

The Chinese aren't seeking any incentives for their $20 million investment, Wolff said.

The apparel showroom/warehouse deal concludes more than a year of quiet negotiations that have been conducted between Bexar County and Chinese officials.

The negotiations so far have produced a nonprofit organization called the West-East Bilateral Economic Regional Collaboration Council, or WEBERCC, with which business will be conducted between Bexar County and 10 Chinese company owners. The nonprofit has a website at webercc.org.


From: EXPN via MySanAntonio.com (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Buying-from-China-could-mean-visiting-S-A-855076.php)

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5128/sanewsmetro.png

http://destinoliving.com/images/Untitled-4.png


10-story condo planned for Stone Oak in far north San Antonio.

A 10-story luxury condominium is planned for an undeveloped tract of land southwest of Loop 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway/Voigt Drive. The project by Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty and B&A Architects, Inc. will include 30 super-sized condos within a gated 200,000-square-foot tower.

Messages left with B&A and Kuper Sotherby were not returned and details of when ground will actually break on this new project are not yet known. A “Coming Soon” sign is currently posted on the property.

According to the project’s website, the Destino Living condominium will house 30 three-bedroom units ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 square feet. Integral with a multi-level parking garage, the tower will also include numerous amenities, a concierge service, rooftop terrace and pool. The entire project will overlook the golf course and residents will be allowed membership into The Club at Sonterra.

Rick Brendler, founder of the San Antonio-based B&A Architects firm has designed and completed more than 40,000 multi-housing units, including the Montecristo apartment complex located north of Loop 1604 between Sigma Road and Stone Oak Parkway.

Stone Oak Info via StoneOakInfo.com (http://www.stoneoakinfo.com/node/68251)

My apologizes to Hannah Banana. I didn't see this posted on the other page.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5662/sanewsenter.png

CSI creator is developing a show for CBS that will be set in San Antonio.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/CBS.svg

Exclu: CBS is developing a neo-Western crime drama from the creator of CSI and a legal drama based on a story by crime novelist Joel Goldman.
First up is Desperado, about a band of lawmen who enact cowboy-style justice on modern-day criminals in San Antonio.

CSI mastermind Anthony Zuiker is the executive producer, with Hitman 2 scribe Kyle Ward writing and executive producing and Matthew Weinberg co-executive producing. CBS TV Studios and Dare to Pass are the production companies.

If the logline of Desperado sounds just a tad like Justified, well, the producers of that FX drama are working on something different for CBS: Knife Fight, about a female public defender who "becomes a prosecutor in order to pursue the truth."

It's based on a short story by Goldman and has Michael Cuesta (Dexter) writing, executive producing and directing, and Gerald Cuesta as writer and co-executive producer. Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly (Justified) are executive producing. CBS TV Studios is the producer along with Timberman/Beverly Prods.

The Hollywood Reporter via hollywoodreporter.com (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/cbs-develops-modern-day-western-48519)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/765/sanewsdown.png

Ben over at the Downtown Blog has a column about downtown's second Brazilian steakhouse, Texas de Brazil, which is opening soon on Houston St.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2010/11/20101123kress600.jpg

When plans were announced that Dallas-based Texas de Brazil was opening a restaurant in the Kress building, 313 E. Houston St., the obvious question arose: can downtown San Antonio support two Brazilian steakhouses? A year ago, Fogo de Chao opened at Rivercenter Mall.

“We are here to make San Antonio a prime destination, not to compete against Fogo,” said Marvin Hernandez, general manager of Texas de Brazil’s San Antonio location. “If that was the case, we would have located on the River Walk.”

The 350-seat Texas de Brazil is scheduled to open the last week of December. Like Fogo, costumed gauchos scan the room eager to carve meat straight from the spit and on to the plate. Lunch will cost in the $20 range, while dinner will cost about $40. Those prices include access to fourteen meats — including beef, lamb, pork and Brazilian sausage — and a 50-item salad bar.

One of Texas de Brazil’s crowd-favorite trademarks is its floor-to-ceiling wall of wine. So-called “wine angels,” who also serve as hostesses, are strapped to a rigged harness and, via remote control, spring upward to retrieve wines way up high, spinning about along the way.

Texas de Brazil’s signature wine bar and lounge, Beijos, will be located near the entrance of the 10,000-square-foot space. Hernandez said on Monday and Tuesday nights, the bar will offer specials for workers in the hospitality industry as well as downtown residents. There are also plans to host a San Antonio Symphony after party shortly after opening.

Just as Fogo de Chao can be a catalyst for Rivercenter Mall, Texas de Brazil can be the same for Houston Street. In a way, the stakes are higher because Houston Street needs an injection more than the mall. Slowly, the puzzle pieces are snapping into place.

Texas de Brazil is the first order of business for the Kress building, owned by Maryland-based Federal Realty Investment Corp., which owns many Houston Street properties. Still available for rent is the basement, the bar of which is still intact from the days of Houston Street Live, the building’s last tenant. And according to Jan Sweetnum, chief operating officer of Federal Realty’s western region, they haven’t yet decided what’s going into the building’s upper floors — “We plan to regroup on the upper floors next year,” Sweetnam said.

The Downtown Blog via MySanAntonio.com (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2010/11/texas-de-brazil-will-be-downtowns-second-brazilian-steakhouse/)

The State of Downtown (http://downtownalliance.posterous.com/state-of-downtown)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5202619205_7d8ed2c187_b.jpg
Concept for Hemisfair


This is not the concept for Hemisfair, that has yet to be started on.
This is the concept for the Convention Center expansion; the west end of the CC would be demo'd and a new extension would be built to the east and along I-37.

This is not the concept for Hemisfair, that has yet to be started on.
This is the concept for the Convention Center expansion; the west end of the CC would be demo'd and a new extension would be built to the east and along I-37.
Thank you MangoMike for the correction.

STEAK 'N SHAKE BUILDING FIRST SAN ANTONIO LOCATION (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2010/12/steak-and-shake-building-first-san.html)
Have you noticed the construction taking place on the northeast corner of 1604 and 10 and wondered what it could be? Well, I have the answer for you, it's going to be San Antonio's first Steak 'n Shake restaurant.


GROUND BREAKS ON NEW 911 EMERGENCY DISPATCH CENTER (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2010/12/ground-breaks-on-new-911-emergency.html)
The city of San Antonio and Brooks Development Authority (BDA) recently broke ground on the city's new fire and police emergency dispatch center at Brooks City-Base.

The new facility, located on six-acres, is a state-of-the-art communications facility that will replace the current 9-1-1 center located at police headquarters in downtown San Antonio.


First phase of Tacara retail center breaks ground (http://www.stoneoakinfo.com/node/66535)
Construction has finally begun on the much-delayed Tacara project, but only a portion of the property is being developed at this time. Just 6.5 acres of this 58-acre site northwest of Stone Oak Parkway and Hwy 281 will be built for now. A time line for when the remainder of the project may follow is not yet known.

Among those small waves has been a hesitancy by national retailers to commit to new stores, and it’s the big name businesses that Casey Development is after. Not a run-of-the-mill strip mall filled with yet another dry cleaners, nail salon and liquor store, Tacara promises to be a unique multi-use development inspired by Spanish colonial villages of old.
http://www.stoneoakinfo.com/files/images/FountainViewWeb_0.preview.jpg
http://www.tacara-texas.com/

Cevallos Street Lofts called a ‘game-changer’ for Southtown (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2010/12/cevallos-street-lofts-called-a-game-changer-for-southtown/)
The lesser-known project is the Cevallos Street Lofts. It’s a massive, four-story, 252-unit apartment building located at 301 E. Cevallos St., a stone’s throw from Pedicab Bar & Grille and La Tuna. For its sheer size alone, Dan Markson, senior vice president of development for the NRP Group, the project’s developer, calls it a “game-changer” for Southtown.

“I think that this is going to light up Cevallos Street,” Markson said. “This, to me, is the magic connection between King William, South Flores and Blue Star.”

By this time next year, Markson said, the building’s first residents should be moving in. Pre-lease contracts could be available for signing in the spring.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2010/12/20101210cevallos11-600x391.jpg

New Tobin Performing Arts Center renderings

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=501544&width=628&height=471
http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=501557&width=628&height=471
A Texas Treasure (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/A-Texas-Treasure-937153.php)

UTSA Athletics Complex rendering
http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=501994&width=628&height=471
Ball Gets Rolling on Sports Plan (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Ball-gets-rolling-on-sports-plan-936395.php)

Owner of Pearl Brewery buying up land across river (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Owner-of-Pearl-Brewery-buying-up-land-across-river-940252.php)
The future of the Pearl Brewery looks brighter — and bigger. Silver Ventures, the owner of the historic brewery, confirmed it is cobbling together about 5 acres of land across from the 22-acre site and along the San Antonio River to possibly expand the urban village.

Byrd did say that Silver Ventures is looking into developing a boutique hotel at the Pearl, but that right now nothing is in the works. Silver Ventures is working this year to develop more restaurants and apartment units, eventually adding a few hundred more residents to the Pearl, he said.

Also, a 1,000-seat riverfront amphitheater is expected to be complete this month. Byrd would not expand on how that space would be used once open.

In total, the three new riverfront properties include seven parcels that Silver Ventures can use for redevelopment. It wasn't disclosed if the existing structures on each property will stay or be demolished. Byrd wouldn't disclose the sales prices of the properties, but they had a Bexar Appraisal District value in 2010 of more than $3 million total.


Alamo Stadium now open for offers (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Alamo-Stadium-now-open-for-offers-942707.php)
Spurs Sports & Entertainment Vice President Leo Gomez said Thursday the company will propose bringing a United Soccer Leagues franchise to Alamo Stadium to play 12 to 15 home games, eventually developing it into a Major League Soccer team.

“We would work to grow the market and get to that point sooner rather than later,” Gomez said.

The proposal would mean keeping the stadium's football field but doing away with the eight-lane track to make room for the pro soccer field.

The San Antonio Independent School District, which owns the stadium and the adjacent Convocation Center, begins soliciting partnership concepts for the facilities today.

He said a USL team would play 12 to 15 home games between April and September, at times when the facility won't be needed by students. Over time, the team would upgrade to MLS status, he said, pointing to teams in Portland and Seattle that he said made the switch after roughly 10 years.

“We believe that if Alamo Stadium is redeveloped appropriately it would have the basic infrastructure to someday in the future upgrade to MLS standards,” Gomez said. “And still abide by the school district's standards.”

Besides the field, a pro soccer venue would require chair-back seats instead of the benches there now.

San Antonio Scorpions FC The Name for New NASL Team

http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/stadium-685px-597x336.jpg
San Antonio real estate developer and philanthropist Gordon Hartman says his new NASL-league soccer team will be named the San Antonio Scorpions FC.’


Story via BizJournals and MySanAntonio Image

‘The franchise, purchased by Hartman last year, is scheduled to begin play in spring 2012 at STAR Soccer Complex.

“It’s time to stop talking about bringing pro soccer to San Antonio and time to make it happen,” said Hartman, who is seeking roughly $8 million in public support to construct a 5,400-seat stadium at his soccer site, located at Thousand Oaks Drive and Wurzbach Parkway.

http://theoriginalwinger.com/2011-01-10-san-antonio-scorpions-fc-the-name-for-new-nasl-team

Thats great news! They will be the only team in central Texas after Austin's Aztecs move to Florida.

Warm Springs to add two new rehab hospitals in San Antonio
Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of Westover Hills will be built from the ground up at 10323 State Highway 151. The new Westover hospital will have two floors and house 40 patient beds and Post Acute Medical officials say it will cost nearly $15 million to construct.

Construction is slated to begin in early February with a targeted completion date of December.

The new Warm Springs hospital will house 34 beds. The development costs for the Thousand Oaks hospital were not immediately available. But Post Acute Medical says it plans to completely renovate the interior and exterior of the facility and the hospital is expected to open by the third quarter of 2011.


http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6061/warm20springssafile5405.jpg
Business Journals (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2011/01/19/pennsylvania-company-to-add-two-new.html)

Completed Studio for SAF Studios
http://www.safstudio.com/SAFS_FLASH/images/SOUNDSTAGE_image001.jpg
http://www.safstudio.com/SAFS_FLASH/images/SOUNDSTAGE_image002.jpg
SAF Studios (www.safstudiosinc.com)

S.A. leaders seek $238.8 million for transportation projects
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/article/S-A-leaders-seek-238-8-million-for-1002138.php)

The lobbying effort, which sought $238.8 million for such things as a rapid transit bus project and a downtown streetcar system, coincided with a push by President Barack Obama for investment in infrastructure — a blueprint partially laid out in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“The cost to business from outdated and inadequate infrastructure is enormous,” Obama said. “That's why I want to put more people to work rebuilding crumbling roads, rebuilding our bridges.”

San Antonio's priority projects, Castro said, are needed to accommodate an influx of residents in the wake of military and business growth.

“We want to impress upon the administration the importance in investing in our infrastructure,” he said.

San Antonio wants $75 million in spending bills for a VIA Metropolitan Transit rapid transit bus project that would include improved service and a hub for more than one type of transportation. The city is the largest in the country without such a hub, said David Zachry, president of construction company Zachry Corp.

Other project funding sought by city officials includes $150 million for the downtown streetcar system, $12 million in infrastructure improvements at Port San Antonio and $1.8 million for design and land acquisition for a regional rail system to run between San Antonio and Austin.

Hannah,

Do you have any info on that incomplete project on Broadway in downtown?

You mean 1221 Broadway? They are still working on the apartments in the back which will be this:
http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/1221-broadway/1221-broadway-2.jpg
1st phase

But there was some changes made to the 2nd phase which would put apartments over retail.

So that makes more apartments(307) in the overall project.

San Antonio's first mobile food truck park opened on Bulverde Road.


City's first mobile food truck park opens
By Vianna Davila, By Vianna Davila
vdavila@express-news.net

Published 09:25 p.m., Saturday, January 8, 2011

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/City-s-first-mobile-food-truck-park-opens-946279.php


What a tasty experiment: San Antonio, with a twist of Austin.

That's how many described Saturday's grand opening of the Boardwalk on Bulverde, the Alamo City's first mobile food truck park, serving up a smorgasbord of gourmet dishes in an outdoor atmosphere not unlike a backyard barbecue.

But these aren't your neighborhood taco trucks.

“It's pretty cool,” said Cory Jernigan, 25, shortly after he chowed down on a salmon sandwich from the Wheelie Gourmet, one of 11 trucks open for business at the park on Bulverde Road, between Loop 1604 and Thousand Oaks Drive. “It's very Austin.”

“I didn't think many people would be here actually,” said Jernigan's girlfriend, Erin Shoemaker, 23. “Because I feel like in San Antonio this kind of thing hasn't really hit — like the trendy stuff.”

But show up the customers did, in the hundreds, despite chilly weather and clouds. The turnout was so high some patrons waited more than 30 minutes for their meals as the lines at each station grew.

“I'm overwhelmed,” said park founder Cameron Davies.

The Boardwalk sits adjacent to Davies' 210 Customs and Cruising Kitchens shop, where he refurbishes custom cars and outfits mobile eateries.

But he wanted to build on the already popular mobile food truck movement in San Antonio.

“It's migrated down from California; it hit Austin,” Davies said. “San Antonio's finally opening their eyes to something new and something hip.”

“Plus,” he said, noting the playground and planned movie night, “it's family oriented. There's something for every age to do.”

Though the types of food differ — from gyros to tacos, and cupcakes to organic canned-produce — all of the trucks offer gourmet items.

“There's a difference between a taco truck and a gourmet food truck,” said Bob Mishler, owner of Uncertain Farms, a farmer's market truck that features locally grown canned goodies. Bringing the trucks together will benefit all of the vendors, said G&G Mobile Bistro co-owner Gabe Garman.

“You can have a group of friends come out, and everybody can get what they want,” Garman said.

Besides the variety of food, the Boardwalk is also something new to the North Side, area resident Shawn Meek said.

“To see people in this area congregating, having fun, chilling, it's a good thing,” Meek said.

There are still challenges ahead. Davies is trying to work out the truck's schedules. At least one customer thought the park could use more tables; another hoped for better parking and outdoor heaters.

Whether San Antonio can sustain this experiment remains to be seen.

“My philosophy is, it's time to put our money where our mouth is,” said chef and restaurateur Jason Dady, who opened his DUK Truck at the Boardwalk on Saturday. “Everyone's saying they're ready for it. It's not just a magic button you turn on.”

To Davies, the time is right. Already, he's met couples who normally drive to Austin for the “mobile food truck experience.”

“And now,” he said, “they can do it in their own backyard.”

Open for business

Food trucks at the Boardwalk:

Bistro Six

Cambo's Cantina

DUK Truck

G&G Mobile Bistro

K Hill BBQ Company

Miko's Ice

Saweet Cupcakes

Tin Can Tacos

Toastie Buns

Uncertain Farms

Wheelie Gourmet

For hours of operation, visit http://boardwalkonbulverde.com

UTSA started construction on another parking garage.

Shavano Park receives mixed-use proposal (http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/north_central/news/article/Shavano-Park-receives-mixed-use-proposal-1048024.php)
A development that mixes town homes with high-end retail shops and restaurants could be on its way to Shavano Park.

Eighty town homes with one- and two-story units would be located on 14 acres, and a dozen more acres would house 234,000 square feet of commercial space. Developers said they are targeting empty-nesters, professionals and younger markets.
City Manager Manuel Longoria said the commission will review the project again in April before voting it on May and sending a recommendation to council for consideration.



North Main Residences
http://www.foxsanantonio.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos//images/grace%20tobin%20hill_oYwF4.jpg

Approval expected for Tobin Center design (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Approval-expected-for-Tobin-Center-design-1147900.php)
After several setbacks throughout the past year, project leaders for the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts expect the Historic and Design Review Commission will recommend approving the design plans at a meeting today.
That would mean breaking ground on the project May 10.
Meetings between the project officials, the San Antonio Conservation Society and the commission have taken up “hundreds of hours” over the past year, pushing back the center's opening date to April 2014, said Steve Souter, managing partner with Marmon Mok and a local member of the project's design team.
Issues arose over the conceptual design for the project's 215 foot-high metal rooftop veil behind the building's historic facade. Rodney J. Smith, managing director for the Tobin Center, said the veil's purpose is to draw attention to the riverside structure and enhance acoustics in the performance hall. Some members of the commission and conservation society voiced their opposition to the veil, saying it was 12 feet too high.

Shanon Peterson Wasielewski, historic preservation officer with the commission, said it was important for board members to look at the impact the design would have on the historic structure, the river and surrounding buildings.



http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=640695&width=628&height=471

New Braunfels North

http://www.ricksheldonrealestate.com/images/New-Braunfels-color-rendering-42307-md.jpg

http://www.ricksheldonrealestate.com

1221 Broadway leasing scheduled to begin in a month
(http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/03/1221-broadway-leasing-scheduled-to-begin-in-a-month/)
It’s hard to calculate when driving by, but the property actually consists of 17 structures. The first phase, which is completely funded, is comprised of 268 units. Funding is still being sought for Phase 2 (the loan building that faces Broadway), but assuming those pieces fall into place, that will add another 34 units. Phase 3, which is conceptual at this point, calls for the construction of new buildings on the land between Roy Smith Street and U.S. 281.

If you’re not familiar, 1221 Broadway is the property on Broadway near U.S. 281, and a stone’s throw from the Museum Reach. It’s regarded as a major puzzle piece to the development of River North and property along the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River. Once completed, it will no longer be the eyesore U.S. 281 and Broadway commuters winced at daily for years.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2011/03/avenue_b_final_flattened-600x393.jpg


Group seeking to rev up Grand Prix in San Antonio (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/print-edition/2011/04/01/group-seeking-to-rev-up-grand-prix-in.html)
An effort is afoot to bring a major auto race to downtown San Antonio, backers of the proposal confirm, adding that they have recently taken an important step toward moving the plans to pavement.

If organizers can secure enough support from downtown stakeholders, their grand prix would replace a similar event that was idled more than 20 years ago after incurring steep losses.

Officials with SAGP (San Antonio Grand Prix), say they have met with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, who has shown some initial interest in their plan to develop a new racing event in the center city.

Drove by there yesterday and noticed a lot of work going on.

I hope San Antonio can pull the Grand Prix it will be awesome to see... but the question is can we support another Grand Prix in central Texas?, we already have Formula 1 race track being built in Austin which is not that far from San Antonio and of course F1 and the GP are 2 different types of racing.

Asian Pacific Cultural Convention Center

http://alliancesa.org/Images/new%20acc51_Night%20shot_2_820.jpg

http://alliancesa.org/alliancebuilding.html

Downtown might get an H-E-B store
By Jennifer Hiller
Updated 12:09 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2011
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Downtown-might-get-an-H-E-B-store-1359576.php

It might not make financial sense, but H-E-B is considering bringing a grocery store to downtown anyway.

The company is “actively engaged” with city officials on the concept of a downtown grocery store, a company spokeswoman and Mayor Julián Castro said Friday.

A source familiar with the talks said H-E-B officials are considering a 12,000-square-foot store on Durango Boulevard near Main Avenue by its corporate headquarters in the historic 1860s Arsenal.

A downtown grocery is considered something of a missing link in drawing more San Antonio residents to the hotel- and tourist-heavy urban core, and Castro and City Manager Sheryl Sculley have pushed hard to get one located there.

Dya Campos, H-E-B director of corporate affairs, confirmed the grocer is looking to develop a site downtown, but said it hadn't committed to the project yet. As such, it had not yet settled on a specific property or format.

Although city officials and downtown residents have clamored for a store, H-E-B has remained mum on the subject until now.

“We've been talking about this for a while,” Campos said. “H-E-B truly understands that having a downtown store is really important to downtown, and to the growth of downtown and the city. It's an important initiative for the mayor and the city manager. We've been actively engaged in conversations with the mayor and the city team.”

The city potentially could offer a grocery store operator fee waivers, tax incentives, direct incentives or land.

“The toolbox is open,” Castro said. “We're very willing to incentivize it.”

H-E-B's corporate headquarters have been just south of downtown in the Arsenal since the mid-1980s.

Although H-E-B has not pinpointed a site for the potential downtown store, its corporate campus sits on the San Antonio River, and the company owns several other nearby parcels of land already, including some along South Flores Street between Durango and Guadalupe Street, fringing the King William neighborhood.

H-E-B closed a near-downtown store at 2701 S. Presa St. in 2008.

Bringing a new store to downtown could be more of an act of civic goodwill than business acumen, but a senior team at H-E-B is working hard to make that happen.

The Downtown Alliance estimates more than 4,500 residents live downtown in 2,667 condo and apartment units, and its officials have been told that three times as many units are needed to support a grocery store.

“A downtown store at this point really does not make economic sense to us, but we do realize this is an important initiative for the future of downtown and for the city leaders,” Campos said.

City officials believe the addition of a grocery store is a quality of life issue that could lure more locals and residential developers downtown, and last fall said they were considering issuing a request for proposals to find a grocery operator.

But they consider H-E-B the most natural fit.

“If there's going to be a grocery store downtown, of course it's most fitting that it would be San Antonio's official grocery store, H-E-B,” Castro said.

Castro said the lack of a downtown grocery was a frequent complaint during recent SA2020 meetings.

A framework plan presented this week for the future of downtown's HemisFair Park calls for an enhanced grocery store and marketplace.

“This is a significant priority for me,” Castro said. “I believe to some extent it's a chicken-and-egg issue. I'm confident a downtown grocery store will significantly catalyze residential development.”

But ultimately, the key choices — whether to put a store downtown, when and how big — rest with H-E-B.

“We have had very encouraging meetings,” Castro said. “Ultimately it is their decision.”

One place the grocery store wouldn't locate: the current site of the Univision television station on Durango, which had been rumored for months to be a possible spot.

Campos said that location is not under consideration, and Plaza de Armas, a local news website, Friday reported that Houston-based developer The Hanover Co. is in negotiations to purchase the property for a luxury residential development.

John Taylor, senior vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle, which is representing Univision, which owns the Durango location, said there were a number of offers from qualified buyers for the 4.3-acre property.

“I can't say much other than we're working on a potential sale,” Taylor said. A deal could be finalized in the next few weeks, he said...

I hope San Antonio can pull the Grand Prix it will be awesome to see... but the question is can we support another Grand Prix in central Texas?, we already have Formula 1 race track being built in Austin which is not that far from San Antonio and of course F1 and the GP are 2 different types of racing.
I think it would be perfect opportunity with F1 officials so close to the city. Might get some spill off.





HemisFair Park plan includes marketplace, reinstating Goliad street, parks with park, partial convention center demolition (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/04/hemisfair-park-plan-includes-marketplace-reinstating-goliad-street-parks-with-park-convention-center-expansion/)
• demolish 200,000 square feet of exhibit space (or about half) of the convention center, essentially clearing out that corner on Alamo and Market streets, and replace it with green space, a portion of which could be dedicated for parking. The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center would then be extended east to be flush with South Bowie Street. The city had already been looking at a convention center expansion eastward, but it was unclear if it envisioned any sort of demolition, as well. Read today’s Express-News story for more.

• reinstate Goliad Street, which would be a continuation of Nueva Street (flanking La Villita), crossing Alamo, continuing into the park, essentially paralleling Durango Boulevard all the way to I-37. This would revive a portion of the original street grid, at the same time incorporating some of the historic, pre-HemisFair ’68 structures. As one would head east, the park would get denser with residential and mixed use components.

An envisioned street car running north/south on Alamo would be able to turn on Goliad and send passengers through the park and on to the east side, connecting with the Robert Thompson Transit Center next to the Alamodome.

• build a marketplace — not necessarily a grocery store — but something outdoors, is what I gathered, on the corner of Alamo and Durango, in close proximity to the Southtown neighborhoods. The marketplace would also contain retail with an emphasis on locally-owned shops...
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2011/04/hemisfairpark_framework.jpg

Koontz McCombs and RVK get KCI project
(http://blog.mysanantonio.com/realestate/2011/04/koontz-mccombs-and-rvk-get-kci-project/)
It’s an all-San Antonio team for the new headquarters building for Kinetic Concepts Inc.

Koontz McCombs Construction Ltd. and RVK Architects will design and build the new KCI headquarters, the companies announced in a press release.

KCI plans to move to a new three-story, 100,000-square-foot building on 8.3 acres at Interstate 10 at Hausman Road. The company is currently leasing space at I-10 and Vantage Drive.

The building will aim for certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

Hopefully the design also will include working elevators.

The building should be ready for move-in by the summer of 2012.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/realestate/files/2011/04/KCIHQ.png

More Pearl apartments, phase two of 1221 Broadway and public safety headquarters on HDRC’s plate (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/05/more-pearl-apartments-phase-two-of-1221-broadway-and-public-safety-headquarters-on-hdrcs-plate/)

The Pearl

The latest addition to the Pearl Brewery’s mixed-use complex comes before the HDRC. On the agenda they are called the Pearl Parkway South buildings. They are located south of the stable and will add 82 apartments with retail and restaurant space on the ground floors.

The southeast building, closest to Broadway, is envisioned as a five-story building with retail on the first floor and 55 apartments on the upper floors. The southwest building will have retail and restaurant space on the ground floor with 27 apartments up top, and will connect to the administration building (which is the older one-story building south of the stable across from Pearl Parkway; see photo below).
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2011/05/20110503pearl2.jpg

According to the agenda, the HDRC is completely behind the addition, a project of Lake/Flato Architects. At the April 20 meeting, a three-story commercial building, just south of the Pearl’s stable (which you can see in the first image), went before the commission. It will contain street-level retail space and office space above.

And then there are the Pearl Can Plant Apartments (192 units) and the Pearl Can Plant East Flats (19 units) south of all of the aforementioned buildings, which are set to be completed in the fall of next year according to this website.

1221 Broadway
The second phase of 1221 Broadway goes before the commission. It’s the shell of a building, four stories tall, and most noticeable from Broadway, and is highlighted in blue in the image above. Plans call for office and retail space on the ground floors with 34 residential units on the top floors. Residential units would include balconies overlooking Broadway. Another highlight is a tree-filled atrium in the middle.

Last I spoke with developer Ed Cross, financing was still being pieced together for 1221 Broadway’s second phase. The first phase is approaching completion, and includes the complex of buildings east and west of Avenue B (which runs parallel to Broadway), and includes 268 units, a parking garage, and access to the Museum Reach and VIA’s major routes on Broadway. In a text message last week, Cross said a leasing office should be open near 12th Street possibly as soon as next week. Visit 1221 Broadway’s website for more info.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2011/05/20110503broadway2.jpg

San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2011/05/20110503publicsafety.jpg
Judging from the agenda, the San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters going before the commission for final approval is a formality. The building on the former K-Mart site will be 216,000 square feet and include a parking garage with 646 spaces.

Big Tex revival getting new life (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Big-Texrevivalgettingnew-life-1364172.php)

For years, there have been plans to renovate the abandoned Big Tex plant situated along the San Antonio River, near the Blue Star Arts Complex.

While environmental issues and a down economy stalled the project, stakeholders are ready to breathe new life into it.

A dialogue started Monday when about 40 people gathered at Blue Star to share their vision for the 7.5-acre development.

Although the plan still is in its infancy and has no funding, the mixed-use development aims to incorporate a boutique hotel, 230 rental lofts, live-work space for artists, retail space, a conference center and a parking garage.

Plus, it would allow the 25-year-old Blue Star Contemporary Arts Center, the main gallery space at Blue Star, to expand from the 12,000-square-foot space it currently occupies and has outgrown. Plans call for it to occupy another 15,000 square feet at the new site, allowing for more space for art exhibits and educational classes.

“We're practically hanging from the rafters in the facility we have now,” said Bill FitzGibbons, president and executive director for the arts center.

Irby Hightower, principal with Alamo Architects, the designer for the project, said that the existing silos and structures are stable and still can be utilized.

The project's design will resemble the original site, expanding on the industrial and warehouse feel. What could be different is that it could incorporate more outdoor space, which the original 135,000-square-foot arts complex lacks, he said.


http://www.sacityrealestate.com/images/bigtex1.jpg


Farmers market planned for Lavaca neighborhood (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/05/farmers-market-planned-for-lavaca-neighborhood/)
A farmers market is being planned for a two-acre parcel of land on the fringes of the Lavaca neighborhood, and right across the street from HemisFair Park. The land, at the corner of Labor Street and Durango Boulevard, is owned by the San Antonio Housing Authority and was the construction staging site for HemisView Village, the pair of apartment buildings completed in May of last year. While SAHA decides how to develop the land, officials there figured a farmers market makes sense because it would serve an area that lacks a grocery store.

Officials are shooting for June 1, but the market is more likely to begin in July. The market would be held weekly, and year-round, but a time and day of the week have not been determined. SAHA has been surveying residents of HemisView, along with the adjacent Refugio Place and Artisan Park Town Homes, all built on SAHA property, and so far the consensus is Saturday afternoon. That time would compliment the Pearl’s hugely popular market held Saturday mornings.

Asian Pacific Cultural Convention Center

http://alliancesa.org/Images/new%20acc51_Night%20shot_2_820.jpg

http://alliancesa.org/alliancebuilding.html

ASIAN TOWN DEVELOPMENT PLANNED FOR HELOTES (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/05/large-asian-town-development-planned.html)

When the recent 2010 U.S. Census was released, it revealed that the overall San Antonio Asian population increased by 90 percent in the Greater San Antonio area from 2000 to 2010. This growth has not gone unnoticed by the local Asian population, and because of this growth a local Asian Allienace has teamed up with a local developer for a 82 acre "Asian Town" development in suburban Helotes, a hot spot for said Asian growth. One of the center pieces for this development will be a Convention Center and adjacent amphitheater.A new one is the Alliance of San Antonio Asian Cultures, which is planning to build a multicultural center off Bandera Road outside Loop 1604, where the Asian community has blossomed. Gehring is its president.

She is also a partner in Davila Novelo Developer Construction, which is behind the planning of the 81.8-acre mixed-use development project that will include a hotel, condos, offices, retailers and even a 40,000-square-foot bowling alley meant to attract an international tournament.

“We're really planning on creating an Asian town,” Gehring said.

If completed, the project would be another draw for Asian migration, and San Antonio would benefit, Gehring and others said.
Continue to article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Asian-residents-up-by-almost-80-percent-1342354.php)

City Council approves HemisFair Park framework plan (http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/City-Council-approves-HemisFair-Park-framework-1377426.php)
Without discussion, the City Council unanimously approved a plan Thursday to revamp HemisFair Park, an effort that would raze part of the city's convention center, relocate several current park tenants and enhance connections to the East Side.

Council members vetted the plan at a meeting Wednesday, after a presentation by officials and consultants with the HemisFair Park Area Redevelopment Corp., created to oversee redevelopment of the park.

HemisFair Park officials hope a grand opening for the new park could happen by 2018 — the 300th anniversary of the city's founding, and the 50th anniversary of HemisFair, the event that creation the park.

But the park likely still won't be complete by that time, said HPark CEO Andres Andujar.

“I think it will take longer to complete the project 100 percent,” Andujar said Wednesday. “There are pieces of the project that are not completely controllable.”

Those include the vacating of the federal courthouse, on the southern edge of the park. The courthouse is scheduled to relocate to the site of the current police headquarters on Nueva Street but the timeline is uncertain. University of Texas at San Antonio representatives also have discussed relocating the Institute of Texan Cultures within HemisFair Park.

So far, slightly less than $21 million has been set aside for HemisFair.

Funding for the convention center work has not been secured.

The framework plan is a draft version of a final master plan, which should be complete by September. The city then will start to look more closely at the financial details of making the project a reality, said Pat DiGiovanni, deputy city manger.

Among the financial resources the city has said it could tap into are public-private partnerships and the hotel occupancy tax.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=987695


Former Dolores del Rio to house Mediterranean restaurant (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/05/former-dolores-del-rio-to-house-mediterranean-restaurant/)
One of the River Walk’s most inconspicuous restaurant spaces, the one that once housed Italian eatery Dolores del Rio, is getting a new tenant, Bella on the River, which will serve mostly Mediterranean cuisine.

“We’re trying to do a little sampling literally from the Spanish coast to Turkey,” said owner David Snyder. “We’re really trying to focus on a little bit of influence from each of those regions.”

All of the interior is being refurbished, including the bar, which will remain simply a wine bar — no liquor. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The plan is for the wine bar to remain open until midnight, with smaller plates available during that time. Snyder also said he has a number of pianists lined up, and will play everything from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2011/05/20110513bella1.jpg


Apartment developer wants prime River Walk spot (http://www.plazadearmastx.com/index.php/business/101-news/943-apartment-developer-wants-prime-river-walk-spot)
A Houston-based developer of luxury apartments is looking to acquire perhaps the most desirable of the few for-sale properties on the River Walk, a 4.3-acre site at the corner of Durango Boulevard and St. Mary’s Street, according to several real estate sources.

The South Texas Research Facility at UT Health is now completed

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City apologizes to H-E-B over premature notice

City officials Friday found themselves backpedaling and apologizing to one of San Antonio's biggest employers in the wake of a premature notice that H-E-B wanted to close part of Main Avenue to build a downtown grocery store.

The city has been courting H-E-B and badly wants a downtown grocery, but the grocer has not, in fact, requested a street closure nor definitively said it will build a downtown store.

But a canvassing sheet was sent from the city's Capital Improvements Management Services department to a number of internal city departments and public entities — including CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System and VIA Metropolitan Transit — as well as the King William Association.

The survey reads, petitioner “H.E. Butt Grocery Company is requesting the closure, vacation and abandonment of an improved portion of S. Main Street Public Right of Way adjacent to New City Blocks 927 and 929 in City Council District 1. ... If approved, the petitioner plans to construct a grocery store.”
It did not give the exact location of the envisioned store.

“Let me first say, H-E-B has not made a request to close Main,” said Pat DiGiovanni, deputy city manager. “That canvassing sheet that was sent out to a number of entities was premature and unauthorized. We apologize to the company publicly that their name was put on that petition form. It was inappropriate and unsanctioned.”

DiGiovanni said there has been internal dialogue within the city over the process for a street closure, and that from those discussions, “someone jumped the gun.”

The company has been talking with city officials about the concept of a downtown grocery store.

A source familiar with the talks has said previously that H-E-B officials are considering a 12,000-square-foot store on Durango Boulevard near Main Avenue by its corporate headquarters in the historic 1860s Arsenal.

DiGiovanni wouldn't divulge details of the city's ongoing conversation with H-E-B. But the city has halted the process of getting feedback about a street closure.

“We are in discussions with H-E-B, and those discussions will remain private at this point,” DiGiovanni said. “We have not reached any agreements. It is exploratory, and we're each doing our part to advance this project.”

H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos said she was surprised when her office received inquiries about the canvassing note.

“We were not aware of any kind of paperwork being in the process at all,” she said.

But Campos said the company still is trying to help the mayor and city manager meet their goal of having a downtown grocery store.

“We continue to work with the city and work to better understand the dynamic of what it would take for us to open a store downtown,” Campos said. “The financial aspect of the store downtown continues to be an issue for us.”

The Downtown Alliance estimates more than 4,500 residents live downtown in 2,667 condo and apartment units, and its officials have been told that three times as many units are needed to support a grocery store.

Roderick Sanchez, director of the city's Planning and Development Services Department, said he received the notice May 18.

King William Association president Dick Davis said he had received the survey, and had invited H-E-B to attend the association's meeting next week to share its plans for a store.

“And the answer we got was, ‘We really don't have anything to tell you,'” Davis said.

Davis said he still plans on broaching the topic at the association next meeting to gauge member support.

“My initial reaction would be to say we support (the street closure) if it, in fact, results in a grocery store,” Davis said.

Davis said the neighborhood has been in need of a grocery store since the Handy Andy on South Presa Street closed in 2004 and H-E-B left the area in 2008.

He noted one downside to a neighborhood store would be the added traffic to the area, but added: “I think, overall, we would tolerate that for the greater good.”

A downtown grocery is considered a missing link in drawing more San Antonio residents to the hotel- and tourist-heavy urban core, and Mayor Julián Castro and City Manager Sheryl Sculley have pushed hard to get one located there.

Although H-E-B has not pinpointed a site for the potential downtown store, its corporate campus sits on the San Antonio River, and the company owns several other nearby parcels of land, including some along South Flores Street between Durango and Guadalupe Street, fringing the King William neighborhood.


Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/City-apologizes-to-H-E-B-over-premature-notice-1399502.php#ixzz1NghsSEI8
I still think they'll build it within the next year. Better have one ready than leaving thousands hanging without a grocery store to go to.

Good ol' H.E. Butt!

Tobin Hill project gets Alamo Colleges' OK (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Tobin-Hill-project-gets-Alamo-Colleges-OK-1384032.php)
Trustees for the Alamo Colleges on Tuesday voted to approve the district's first public/private partnership, with NRP Group/Balfour Beatty Capital, to create a mixed-use development near San Antonio College that could benefit the school and the surrounding Tobin Hill neighborhood.

An estimated $30 million project, the development will include student housing and retail space, a parking garage and later possibly an academic building for the college.

“It is a really exciting project,” said Carolyn Kelley, a member of the Tobin Hill Community Association. “It will bring needed population density and tax base to this area of town. It will be good for local businesses and it will serve the college well.”

Located near Luther's Cafe on North Main Avenue, the 4.4-acre site, owned by the Alamo Colleges, is being used for parking. The city has slated the commercial corridor for revitalization, in tandem with efforts by the Tobin Hill Community Association and others to spruce up the entire neighborhood.

Under the agreement, NRP Group/Balfour Beatty Capital will finance, construct and manage the project, while the college district provides the land and uses student parking permit fees to help pay for the garage.

To handle sticky ownership issues, the district will create a public facility corporation, which will in turn create a limited liability company.

The LLC will own the project.

All profits generated will be split 50/50 between the developer and the LLC, and the developer will get an approximately 4 percent development fee.

Alamo Colleges trustees will control profits from the LLC and decide how to spend them.

“These aren't huge profit generators,” said Debra Guerrero, vice president of Texas development for the NRP Group. “It's a public entity and as long as the district furthers its mission and doesn't lose money, that's the goal.”

Given the proximity to downtown and a college with 22,000 students, the project has a great chance of success, she said.

Initially, the design calls for 150 student housing units, 10,000 square feet of retail space and a 1,000-car parking garage.

The garage will accommodate students with parking permits during the day, and will charge fees for nonstudent parking at night.

Trustees could use profits generated from the first phase to fund a second phase with a 100,000-square-foot academic facility and a 500-ton central plant at Park and Main. But that could change as the colleges' needs evolve, said John Strybos, facilities director for the Alamo Colleges.

Tuesday's vote will allow NRP Group to move forward with plans and seek financing, Strybos said. It will come back to the board with more detailed plans later this summer or this fall.


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Beach life looms for SeaWorld (http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Beach-life-looms-for-SeaWorld-1392372.php)
SeaWorld San Antonio will replace its water park next year with an extension of its beach-theme park in Orlando, Fla.

Aquatica is slated to open in May 2012 to replace Lost Lagoon, which has been at SeaWorld San Antonio for the past 18 years. An expansion of its predecessor, the 18-acre section will have private cabanas, terraced pools and two new family raft rides.

“What we're trying to achieve is to create a water park that is vastly different from what you can visit in Texas,” said Dan Decker, president of SeaWorld San Antonio. “Something that's really core to our business is ... marine life, aquatic life and birds. That, combined with this resort feel, will be a more relaxed place.”

SeaWorld plans to limit the number of people that can enter Aquatica to maintain that comfortable environment, Decker said, though he could not specify how many people would be allowed in the water park at once.
That exclusivity will come at a higher price.



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Trinity University Center for the Sciences and Innovation (http://web.trinity.edu/x4081.xml)

Responding to that need, Trinity broke ground in May 2010 on the $100 million Center for the Sciences and Innovation, the largest development ever undertaken on the campus. To be completed in phases, the project includes new construction along with major renovations of existing buildings configured to create an integrated 116,000 square-foot complex.
http://web.trinity.edu/images/news/2010%202011/photos/science731_0228011.jpg

Project that might not happen but we hope it will.

McCullough Corridor Vision Plan (http://www.sargenttownplanning.com/projects/mccullough-corridor-vision-plan)
Olmos Park, Texas
1-Mile Corridor
Administrative Review
The City of Olmos Park is a suburban community of approximately 2,300 residents, completely surrounded by the City of San Antonio. The City has a rich history dating back to the mid-1920’s when H.C. Thorman, a renowned oilman and real estate developer, purchased the property from an Austrian count and developed an exclusive residential neighborhood. The City has since grown into one of Texas’ most prominent neighborhoods, yet its commercial corridors that bound the neighbhorhood have never developed compatibly and remain low quality strip buildings along a small highway.

In 2009, the City established the Olmos Park Economic Development Corporation (the “EDC”) to promote, and enhance economic development for Olmos Park, the McCullough Commercial Corridor in particular. As a key early initiative to inform and guide subsequent efforts, the EDC and City Council retained a team led by Michael G. Imber Architects and Sargent Town Planning to create a conceptual plan that establishes a vision for the revitalization of this Commercial Corridor, with the core goal of elevating its quality and character to match that of the historic neighborhood.

A Vision Plan emerged from a week-long charrette in June 2010 - including a series of illustrations of the recommended types of buildings, streets, open spaces and parking arrangements for the Corridor - intended to embrace the City’s heritage, support the present-day vision and spirit of the community, and attract private investment to improve the district’s business mix and economic performance.
http://www.sargenttownplanning.com/media/imagecache/800x800/projects/images/Olmos%20Plaza_300dpi.jpg
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Before:
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After:
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TERMINAL 2 AT THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SET TO BE RAZED THIS FRIDAY (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/05/terminal-2-at-san-antonio-international.html)
San Antonio International Airport officials say the facility’s original terminal (Terminal 2) is slated to be completely demolished on Friday, May 27.

Workers have been performing demolition work on the interior of the terminal since January in anticipation of the final tear-down of the structure. The terminal was originally built in 1953.

Since Terminal 2 is so close to the newly completed Terminal B building, airport officials plan to bring in workers and trucks to handle the demolition manually, instead of using other, more extreme methods. Additionally, other preventative measures will be taken to protect Terminal B’s structure during the demolition.

Terminal B is replacing the aging Terminal 2 building. Terminal B encompasses some 223,000 square feet of space and was completed earlier this year.

All of this work is part of the airport’s major expansion program, which was initiated under a 10-year, $635 million capital improvement project.
http://www.ifly.com/resources/img/airports/sub-terminal-maps/San-Antonio-SAT-Terminal2.jpg

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

Spain's Atento set to expand in S.A.

BARCELONA, Spain — Atento, the world's second-largest call center company and a unit of the world's second-largest telecommunications firm, plans to expand its San Antonio call center to 2,000 workers by 2012 from fewer than 400 now.

That might make it San Antonio's largest call center employer.

Several other San Antonio call centers are planning to boost hiring. West Business Services expects to have about 1,800 call center employees, Nationwide Insurance expects to have close to 1,800 and Kohl's Department Stores Inc. expects to have more than 1,000.

Atento is a subsidiary of Madrid-based Telefonica, a telecommunications giant that ranks in revenues only behind Dallas-based AT&T Inc. and ahead of third-place Verizon Communications Inc.

Atento quietly opened its San Antonio call center in October 2009 near Interstate 10 and Wurzbach Road with BBVA Compass bank as its base customer.

BBVA is a Madrid-based international bank that expanded to the United States several years ago with acquisitions of several U.S. banks, including Laredo National Bank.

Atento now employs between 350 and 400 workers, said Emilio Cristóbal Rubio, chief operations and sales officer for Atento USA.

Atento will move to larger quarters in June or July to University Park near De Zavala Road and I-10. The new center can accommodate up to 1,300 workers, Cristóbal said. But the company eventually will need additional space as it moves closer toward its 2,000-employee goals, he said.

The expansion news came as Cristóbal briefed the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce delegation on Thursday during a one-week trade mission to Spain.

Telefonica formed its Atento unit in 1999. Atento now is second in the world in the call-center services industry behind Paris-based Teleperformance.

Atento has more than 150,000 workers worldwide on four continents, serving about 550 client companies and government agencies across all industries. It's the largest private employer in Brazil with about 85,000 workers and is the No. 1 call center company in Latin America.

In 2010, Atento handled 3.5 billion interactions for its clients in phone calls, cellphone texts, chat lines and social media. The company has clients in government and the telecommunications, banking, utility, insurance and other private industry sectors.

Atento now employs 1,200 in the United States. Other U.S. clients include AT&T, Pfizer Inc., T-Mobile USA Inc., Whirlpool Corp., DirectTV Inc. and Orbitz Worldwide Inc.

The pace of its San Antonio growth will depend on the timing and numbers of contracts it receives, Cristóbal said.

San Antonio is attractive to Atento because of its bilingual and youthful workforce, lower wage scales due to the city's relatively low cost of living and its location in the central time zone, Cristóbal said.

“We have an opportunity to grow their business in San Antonio,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff told the chamber delegation after it toured Atento's large Barcelona operations.

“As they pick up business, they're going to put it in San Antonio,” said Wolff, who's leading the chamber's trade mission.

The company pays wages in San Antonio that are “extremely competitive” with the industry in the San Antonio market, including full benefits, Cristóbal said. Atento is accepting applications and resumes online at atento.com.

Atento is being spun off into its own publicly traded company in the coming weeks by Telefonica in a debt-cutting move. The initial public offering price, expected to be set June 6, is being watched closely in Europe as possibly the spark for a new public offering wave on the economically troubled continent.
Atento reported 2010 revenues of more than $2.32 billion, up 26 percent from the previous year.

The chamber delegation on Thursday also attended a briefing on the Barcelona regional economy from the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and a presentation on the city's light-rail system.


Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Spain-s-Atento-setto-expand-in-S-A-1386991.php#ixzz1NmQXBFiQ

I hope the proposed extension makes up for any convention space that is going to be lost by the demolition of the original building. Any street realignments caused by the proposed expansion, some buildings are going to be demolished to make way for it.

Parking garage possible for Tobin Center
A downtown parking lot near St. Mark's Episcopal Church is the likely spot for a parking garage — possibly with a mixed-use development attached — to serve the new Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

City, county and performing arts center officials have been talking with church leaders about leasing the property in hopes that building a garage there would improve the odds of long-term success for the Tobin Center.

Parking is considered one of the big missing puzzle pieces of the $195 million project, and a garage is something that could boost the sale of box seats and season tickets for ballet, opera and symphony companies.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said officials have been talking with St. Mark's for about two years about building on the parking lot site, perhaps letting the church retain the right to use the parking spaces on Sunday mornings.

The idea, which Wolff said has not yet moved beyond the “talking phase,” would be to have a parking garage wrapped by apartments.

J. Bruce Bugg Jr., chairman and president of the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation, said that there has been a search for a suitable parking area for about two years and that, while there are many sites, one of the more feasible spots would be the parking lot across Jefferson Street from St. Mark's, which fronts on East Pecan Street.

“We recognize that finding dedicated parking for the Tobin Center would be a priority,” he said. “Everyone who wants to come to the Tobin Center is concerned about where they're going to park.”

He didn't disclose the locations of the other sites under consideration.

The idea would be to create a mixed-use development and a parking garage that would provide parking for the Tobin Center and the church, Bugg added.

“What is envisioned is a mixed-use project in the sense that it would not just be a standalone parking garage, but that there would be perhaps a residential element combined with meeting the parking needs,” Bugg said.

Ed Cross, the developer of the Vistana apartments downtown, was involved in the talks and had created some early sketches of what might be possible with the property, Wolff said.

Cross declined to comment on the issue.

Read more (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Parking-garage-possible-for-Tobin-Center-1409030.php)

Decades Old Survey Mistake Holds Up Land Sale

The reason this is news worthy is because this site is being sold to a Houston developer who plans to build a high rise mixed use development.
Smaller than a Honda Civic, but larger than a Mini Cooper.
And a big pain in the rear.

A decades-old survey mistake and a teeny tiny sliver of land are holding up a sale of the 4.3-acre site of the Univision television station on Durango Boulevard downtown.

It turns out that the city of San Antonio might own a 52-square-foot parcel within the site, thanks to mistakes made on surveys during property sales long ago. At one time, the San Antonio River ran through the property, thus the possible lingering city ownership.

The technicality over the 0.001-acre spot, which the building of Univision affiliate KWEX partly occupies, is “a little mistake from a long time ago,” said John Taylor, senior vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle, which is representing Univision, owner of the Durango location.

But the trapezoid-shaped, minuscule space has created a big paperwork mess requiring the expertise of surveyors, water-rights attorneys, land-use attorneys and the like.

“We have to find out why this particular piece was left out,” said Pat DiGiovanni, deputy city manager. “The city deeded other properties at that time. The question is: Is this all of it? Or is there something else that was missed? The attorneys are reviewing that. Once we determine that this indeed is the case, then we will expedite the process of disposing of the property.”

The city staff intends to take the issue to City Council by the end of the month — before its summer break — so it can declare the 52 square feet as “surplus” and convey the property to Univision. That would allow Univision to proceed with the sale.



Source (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/06/decades-old-survey-mistake-holds-up.html)

Beer Maker Wants To Build Brewery On Near East Side (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/06/beer-maker-wants-to-build-brewery-on.html)
In an effort to reignite beer tourism in San Antonio and to jump-start economic investment on the East Side, the owner of Alamo Beer Co. has drafted a plan to construct a brewery near the historic Hays Street Bridge.

Eugene Simor, 48, the company's founder, owns almost 2 acres alongside the bridge. He is seeking approval to access an adjacent city-owned lot, with plans to put the building there, keeping his land for brewery parking.

Simor already has spoken about the plan with District 2 Councilwoman Ivy Taylor and several stakeholders in the neighborhood and has received little opposition, he said. Although his plan is preliminary and still under review, he hopes to get the brewery online by December 2012.

The first phase of the $5.7 million plan calls for the construction of a 40-foot-tall, 20,000-square-foot brew house. A second phase could tack on 18,000 square feet.

Besides offering brewery tours, Simor would like to add a rooftop restaurant, create a public park space underneath the bridge and connect the facility to the nonhistoric part of the bridge, providing space for public and private events.

Simor hasn't secured funding for the project yet, and he says he's looking for city incentives that would help with infrastructure costs.

Alamo Beer was launched in 2003 and sales have jumped from 555 cases annually to about 50,000. Simor brews his Alamo Golden Ale at Real Ale Brewing Co. in Blanco. He said he has outgrown that facility and would need more space to brew three more beers he has planned.

Juan Garcia, president of the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association, said the association hasn't officially taken a position on the plan but that it has garnered a lot of general support in the community. He imagines the area turning into a destination where there are restaurants, coffee shops, bike shops and lofts.

“We already have the parks here, and I think the plan has a lot of merit,” he said. “Is it going to spark revitalization? It has a good chance. Besides, we have to try something.”

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1221 Broadway first units available mid-July (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/06/1221-broadway-first-units-available-mid-july/)
The developers behind 1221 Broadway apartment buildings haven’t done a lick of marketing, have yet to open a leasing office, and still display a temporary website, and yet 20 people have signed leases.

Those first residents are expected to start moving in on July 15, according to David Adelman, principal with Cross & Co.

Like Cross & Co.’s previous project, west downtown’s Vistana apartment building, expect many updates on this one because of its significance. It’s the first large-scale development in River North — the area just north of downtown proper envisioned as a vibrant neighborhood with mixed-use buildings galore. The apartments are adjacent to the River Walk, are near the highways and The Pearl, and three VIA routes — 9, 10, and 14 — run up and down Broadway and stops right in front. And lastly, it’s so close to downtown, a cab ride to or from would cost about five bucks.

If you’re not aware, the project is a cluster of buildings flanked by the U.S. 281-Interstate 35 interchange, Broadway, 12th Street and the Museum Reach segment of the River Walk. Avenue B bisects the project north-south giving the complex a strong neighborhood feel out of the box. Avenue B is expected to start to be paved this week. Several of the surrounding streets will have sidewalk parking, which Adelman prays does not get metered. A one-bedroom unit accessible from Avenue B has been tagged as 1221′s temporary leasing office. It’s scheduled to open June 20.

Units start at $800 for a studio or one-bedroom and plateau at $1,785 for a two-bedroom, two-bath. And these units aspire to a vibe even more urban than the ones at the Vistana.

“We instructed our design team that we were going for a gritty urban feel,” Adelman said.

In total, the buildings comprise of 268 units. They won’t all be ready by mid-July, however, they will be phased in gradually and are expected to be completed by October, Adelman said.

Each building contains a communal space of some kind, whether it be a pool, a grilling area that simulates “an old-fashion day at the park” or a Zen-like courtyard for reading or tanning. Eventually, developers want to built a pet park near the highways. And in one of the buildings, a fourth-floor residents lounge facing the city skyline will include a kitchen, a pool overlooking the Museum Reach, wireless Internet and an adjacent workout room.

For TV/Internet, residents will have the option of choosing between AT&T and Time Warner. And cost of one non-reserved parking space is included in the rent. A second parking space can be secured for $75, while a reserved space will cost $100.

Many of the units facing the streets will have sidewalk access. Also, because of the the area’s zoning, Adelman said, those units can be used as live-work spaces.

On the recent tour, one of the words Adelman kept saying was “community.” And he’s serious about it. Envisioned is a taco truck setting up shop on Saturday mornings, movies projected against one of the building’s walls and even an Avenue B block party.

All of the aforementioned units and their respective buildings comprise the project’s first phase. The second phase is the long structure faceing Broadway. Adelman said funding has been committed to the phase, and that construction will begin there no later than Aug. 1. That building will add 39 additional residential units, as well as 10,000 square feet of street-level commercial space.

For the sake of clarity, it’s that building which faces Broadway which actually owns the 1221 Broadway address. The buildings behind it— the ones that are nearing completion — are located at 1200 and 1201 Avenue B.

Adelman said all are welcome to take a hardhat tour, even if they’re not interested in moving in. Call (210) 354-1221 for more info.

In the fall, after a somewhat drawn-out process, Cross & Co. finally received a loan in excess of $20 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to finish out the project. Last year, the project was carved out of the River North Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, paving the way for the city to chip in with an incentive package worth $3.7 million.
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'Pink building' cleared for demolition
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/article/Structure-cleared-for-demolition-1428230.php#photo-3)The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to deny historic status to the Casa Maldonado, also known as the “pink building,” despite pleas from preservationists to protect one of the West Side's cultural markers.

The decision allows the Avenida Guadalupe Association to demolish the nearly century-old structure, once a hub for Hispanic political activity, making way for a 21,000-square-foot building that will house a workforce development training initiative and retail and commercial office space.

Councilman David Medina, whose District 5 includes the controversial building, was hissed when he told the audience that he'd recommend denying historic status.

“I understand the passion and request to be able to preserve this structure. It's very important that that's recognized,” he said during a meandering buildup to his motion to deny historic status. “At the same time, I see an opportunity to take a step toward creating jobs for the community and for future generations to come.”

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center Director Graciela Sanchez, whose organization supported a historic designation, chided Medina for what she perceived as lack of leadership. She said Medina took far too long to stake out his position on the issue, leaving the rest of the council waiting for his lead on an issue in the heart of his district.

“They're all looking to him, but it's a citywide issue,” she said. “It's not democracy. It's not transparency. It's a done deal somewhere else.”

Medina said in an interview that he took a firm stance against preservation in this case but acknowledged that he didn't make his decision until Thursday — after scores of people on both sides of the issue addressed the council Wednesday evening.

The Avenida Guadalupe Association, which owns the building, has won $2.3 million in federal funds to help construct the new complex, a part of the federally aided $5.5 million Promesa Project. To keep from losing the funding, the association must have the new building open and operating by September 2013.



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Pearl Brewery taps partner for mixed-use development (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2011/06/17/pearl-brewery-taps-partner-for.html)
Rio Perla Properties LP, an affiliate of Silver Ventures Inc., has added Woodbine Development Corp. of Dallas to the development team at Pearl.

Pearl is the 22-acre mixed-use redevelopment at the formerly Pearl Brewery site along San Antonio’s River Walk.

Woodbine will manage the Pearl Parkway infrastructure and improvements project, including the streets and utilities, as well as the design and construction of three new buildings. These buildings will encompass 157,000 square feet of leasable space and will be used for a combination of multifamily residential, retail, restaurants and office space. These properties should be ready for occupancy in the fourth quarter of 2012.

“Woodbine has been consulting with us for several months on this project and brings a wealth of diverse real estate experience to our team, as well as significant San Antonio experience,” says Bill Shown, Silver Ventures’ managing director of real estate. “We chose to work with Woodbine because its team has a track record of success in developing master-planned communities, historic renovations and adaptive reuse projects, office buildings and hotels.”

Lake-Flato has been named the design architect for Pearl Parkway. RVK Architects is the architect of record on the north component of the project, and WGW Architects is the architect of record on the south component. The project is currently in the bid phase, and construction is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.

One of the buildings in the project is Pearl Parkway North, which will consist of 58,000 square feet. Retailers and restaurants will occupy space on the ground level and office space on the second and third levels. San Antonio-based Joeris General Contractors has been selected as the contractor.

Pearl Parkway South includes the renovation and adaptive re-use of the existing 2,600-square-foot brewery administration building, built in 1904. Troy Jessee Construction LP is the contractor for the renovation of this building. Pearl Parkway South also will include two new mixed-use buildings.
The east building is a five-level building with retailers on the ground level and four levels (55 units) of multifamily residential units above. The west building also includes retail space at the ground level and three levels (27 units) of multifamily units above. Embrey Construction LLC is the general contractor for the two new buildings.

European-inspired development in San Antonio

Éilan will have hotel, apartments, eateries, offices and retail sites.

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http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1070446&width=628&height=471

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/S-A-s-new-European-inspired-development-1436019.php#photo-3

Oh thats what that thing is. Ive passed by it a few times and its huge.

More on Eilan

European vibe makes a stylish entrance at Eilan (http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/European-vibe-makes-a-stylish-entrance-at-Eilan-1444534.php)
From the highway, motorists along Interstate 10 near Loop 1604 increasingly couldn't miss it, a massive, looming development that over the past several years grew bigger by the day and appeared to be a small, condensed city unto itself.

Now, many of those who have been intrigued by the “village on the hill” with the European vibe have been afforded a closer look.

Éilan, a 120-acre mixed-use project, remains a work in progress with as-yet-unfinished hotel, apartments, restaurants, offices and retail spaces.

Nevertheless, its developers launched their introductory marketing campaign this past week, opening the property to visitors with an elaborate cocktail party, site tours, a celebrity chef and some sexy ballroom dancing demonstrations — all tailored to tease the imagination with what is yet to come.

Wereldhave USA, a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based real estate investment company Wereldhave NV, derived the project's name from the French word élan, which means a lively, distinctive elegance.

And, indeed, Éilan is in tony company, cloaked by the close-by La Cantera and The Rim upscale shopping meccas and flanked by the nearby hills of The Dominion.

Inspired by Tuscany with a soft palette of stucco exteriors, stone facades and clay-tiled rooflines, Éilan is scheduled to open its first phase later this year and is ready to flesh out its presence with some warm-and-breathing occupants — both residential and retail.

Éilan at a glance
Located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and La Cantera Parkway, the site is accessible off of the west access road of I-10
- Features 205,000 square feet of office space
- 165-room luxury boutique hotel and spa
- 539 residential quarters
- 60,000 square feet of retail space
- Fine dining featuring a restaurant by celebrity chef Stephan Pyles
- First of its kind competition-size dance studio featuring the Ballas Concept from Corky Ballas of "Dancing with the Stars"
- Opening in late 2011
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San Antonio Chef Introduces A Very Unique Concept On The River Walk
(http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/06/san-antonio-chef-introduces-very-unique.html)
Cargo containers aren't just for shipping freight anymore. San Antonio chef and restaurateur Andrew Weissman is using them for his newest restaurant, The Luxury.

Weismann, the owner of Il Sogno and The Sandbar restaurants at the Pearl Brewery, anticipates opening his newest venture next month. The eco-friendly hangout is situated at the corner of Jones Avenue and Avenue B, across the San Antonio River from the San Antonio Museum of Art.

It's a departure from the high-end eateries that Weissman is known for and will feature a casual, family-friendly atmosphere, an inexpensive menu and outdoor-only seating where patrons order drinks and food from the various cargo containers.

“Calling it The Luxury would be like a play on words,” he said. “It's the most casual of restaurants but with a kind of highfalutin' name.”

The original design for the restaurant incorporated the use of airstream trailers. But those plans were abandoned because of space issues and the high cost associated with retrofitting the trailers, which was about $60,000 each. Plus, a city ordinance wouldn't have allowed alcoholic beverages to be served there because the trailers are considered mobile, the chef said.

To bypass those issues, Weissman decided to use the brightly colored shipping containers, which provided more space, cost less to retrofit and allowed him to sell alcoholic beverages.

“It was a good way to try to repurpose these containers,” Weismann said. “There's over a million of them floating around the country; they're stacked in yards. I just thought that it would be a green way to do stuff.”

Initially, the restaurant will incorporate four 320-square-foot containers for bathroom facilities, office and storage, a kitchen and a beverage car. Two of the containers stand alone, but the office component is stacked on top of the kitchen in an L-shape. Later, Weissman wants to add other containers, including one for use as a live-music performance stage.
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Construction Underway At The Pearl Can Plant Apartments
(http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/06/construction-underway-pearl-can-plant.html)
Construction is underway on the Pearl Can Plant Apartments. Crews are currently working on the underground parking garage behind the fence and it won't be long before the residential levels begin to rise into sight.

You can see how close 1221 Broadway is to the Pearl Can Plant Apartments.
There will be over 600 apartments combined between the two developments.

Completion of construction is planned for Fall of 2012. Construction is also underway on Phase III of the office and retail components on either side of Pearl Parkway. Peloton Commercial Real Estate is currently pre-leasing the office and retail space.

Pre-leasing for the residential spaces will not commence until Summer of 2012. Subscribe to the MoveToPearl.com newsletter and you will be the first to be notified when Pearl begins taking reservations.

Pearl Can Plant Apartments, a four-story building to be located at 312 Pearl Parkway has 19 efficiency, 121 one-bedroom and 52 two bedroom residential units planned.

Pearl Can Plant East Flats, a three-story building is to be built at 506-610 Avenue A and will have 19 residential units.

Visit movetopearl.com to keep current on the progress on these projects.

VIA HIRES URBAN RAIL PROGRAM MANAGER; WANTS STREET CARS DOWNTOWN BY 2015 (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/07/via-hires-urban-rail-program-manager.html)
VIA Metropolitan Transit has hired a program manager to oversee its high-capacity transit initiative, a move that board and staff members say will help usher in the agency's plans for an urban rail line, possibly within the next five to seven years.

The board voted to hire engineering and architecture firm HNTB Corp. at a special meeting Wednesday. HNTB, a national firm with an office in San Antonio, will work as VIA's in-house consultants on urban rail.

The firm will oversee the entire process, from deciding the type of rail lines — streetcar or light rail, for example — the level of technology that will be adopted and where those rail lines should go.

VIA has tentatively proposed north-south and east-west streetcar lines through downtown. With the help of HNTB, VIA hopes to nail down the exact locations of those routes.

“We're the glue that's going to be responsible for day-to-day focus on these efforts, supporting the staff here,” said Kyle Keahey, HNTB Corporation's associate vice president and the VIA project program manager.

San Antonio remains the only large city in Texas without an urban rail system.

While VIA has the financial capacity to continue the same level and quality of its current bus service, the agency needs more money to become a true multi-modal agency, President and CEO Keith Parker said. Parker was hired to head VIA in 2009 after helping to bring light rail to Charlotte, N.C., as chief executive there.

“We have enough money to stay as we are,” Parker said. “But that's not why I came here.”

One of HNTB's key roles will be to ensure VIA has the financial capacity to build a rail system, something the Federal Transit Administration will require before providing matching funds.

“As program manager, we will help you find the money,” Keahey said Wednesday in a presentation to the board before its vote.

The FTA advises that urban rail projects of this nature, involving federal dollars, can take seven to 10 years to become fully operational, Keahey said.

But Parker wants to see urban streetcar here even sooner — possibly by 2015 or 2016.

The next step in the process happens July 26, when the VIA board plans to vote on its long-range plan, a document two years in the making that includes proposals for streetcar and light-rail routes.




CPS ENERGY PLANS TO BUILD WORLD'S LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY FARM (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/07/cps-energy-plans-to-build-worlds.html)
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The CPS solar farm would be four times bigger than the current world's largest, Sarnia Solar Project in Ontario, pictured above.

CPS Energy will be making a far larger investment in solar energy than the already substantial 50-megawatt project it sought proposals for earlier this year.

The utility last week notified all of the bidders for that project that they have until July 16 to resubmit their proposals — but this time for up to 400 megawatts, in large part because the price of solar continues to drop.

If built, a solar system of that size would launch San Antonio into the top tier of solar projects internationally.

Today, the largest solar installation in the world is 97 megawatts in southern Ontario, followed by several between 84 and 53 megawatts in Italy, Germany and Spain.
Four hundred megawatts can power about 80,000 homes.

That's almost half the amount CPS needs to replace the two coal-burning units it plans to retire in 2018.

For the other half, CPS plans to buy 200 megawatts of “clean coal” from a first-of-its-kind plant to be built near Odessa, and will save 250 megawatts through home energy management systems offered to customers for free.

The increase in the solar proposal comes as something of a surprise.

The deadline for the original request for proposals was mid-May, and late last month, CEO Doyle Beneby said the utility had narrowed the finalists to two.

He told the Express-News Editorial Board in mid-June that he hoped to name the winner on June 20, when he and Mayor Julián Castro announced that several clean energy technology companies would relocate their headquarters to San Antonio.

Beneby said Wednesday that two strong proposals came in after the May deadline, but rather than disqualify them, he chose to re-open the bidding and allow companies that already had submitted to expand their initial proposals.

He described the decision in economic terms.

“I have a fiduciary duty to do the best thing for San Antonio,” he said, adding that he was “floored” by the low prices he's seeing from the proposals.

Mike Burke, founder of the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum, said the amended request will receive worldwide attention, “and sets the stage for huge benefits to the San Antonio region.”
That includes the low prices CPS is seeing from bidders.

Prices for solar photovoltaic components continue to drop, leading to falling prices for the power itself.

CPS reportedly will pay 15 cents per kilowatt hour for the power it's contracted to buy from the three 10-megawatt solar projects to be built and owned by SunEdison.

Sources say the most recent proposals are as much as 30 percent less than that. Beneby only would say that costs are “very competitive.”

The average cost to customers for all the power CPS produces — from coal, natural gas, nuclear and all renewables — is about 9 cents per kilowatt hour.

Beneby has said the majority of the power CPS generates — from nuclear and coal plants — costs the utility less than 2 cents per kilowatt hour, allowing for what he calls “incremental” investments in solar energy. While 400 megawatts would be a huge leap, it still represents just a fraction of the utility's total capacity of 6,791 megawatts.

The new bids also could bring more jobs to San Antonio. The amended request retains the original requirement for an economic development component, likely a solar manufacturing or assembly plant, and a larger installation equals greater demand.

“This is all synergistic,” said Lanny Sinkin, executive director for Solar San Antonio, which advocates for residential rooftop solar. “More solar means more suppliers, more employment. This will attract things to San Antonio we can't even imagine yet.”

Mission County Park 1 set for $4.3 million renovation
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/southside/news/article/Mission-County-Park-1-set-for-4-3-million-1452951.php)
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A conceptual design shows how Mission County Park 1 will look after a $4.3 million improvement project is completed next year. Photo: Courtesy Photo

Showing its 60 years of heavy use, Mission County Park 1 is ready for major upgrades, and the public recently got a glimpse at preliminary designs showing how $4.3 million in improvements would transform it.

With seven months of construction due to start in February, Bexar County officials showed architectural drawings, explained design concepts and fielded questions from about three dozen curious residents who gathered at the Harlandale Civic Center June 28.

“We really want to make it better, said Steve Tillotson, principal architect on the project, which is being coordinated by Kell Muñoz Architects. He said the planned upgrades reflect a shift in park use from recreation to cultural purposes.

“That's the fundamental change that you're going to see,” Tillotson said.

Residents generally embraced the designs they were shown: the restored rotunda, large new pavilions, picnic areas, parking, playscapes and landscaping. And they agreed the park would benefit from plans to improve connections to the revitalized San Antonio River and nearby historic missions.

But some residents still had questions about minute details of the plans, and their potential impacts. They wondered whether parking, lighting and security would be adequate; whether newly planted trees would be watered; and whether there would be concession stands to rent Segways — and horses.

The answer to all the queries was “yes,” except on the horses. Probably only wooden horses would be allowed, said Precinct 1 Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez, drawing chuckles from the crowd.

“This will be the best park in San Antonio,” Rodriguez added.

Preliminary plans call for three main areas to the 16-acre park: one for festivals, one for large family-style gatherings, and a third for smaller picnics that could double as overflow parking for festivals.

Gone would be the park's sea of asphalt and outmoded structures. A network of trails from the river to Mission San José will be built, and drainage improved.

Officials emphasized that there's still time for the public to learn more about the designs and make suggestions, and there are many entities involved in the planning of the county-led project.

Also playing roles are CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System, San Antonio River Authority, San Antonio River Foundation, San Antonio Parks Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The trolley for The Eilan:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1087958&width=628&height=471

and another view from the hotel entrance:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1087962&width=628&height=471

http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/European-vibe-makes-a-stylish-entrance-at-Eilan-1444534.php

Eilan looks great! :eek:

Eilan looks great! :eek:

What in Tarnation?? .....:drool:.......amazing..............the only problem is that its to small............(thats what she said)...:lol:

Question...those residential connected buildings....are those single family or are the multiple occupany in each building?????

The residential buildings are multifamily(or multiple occupancy) and consist of 539 units.

As of right now, the complex does look "alone", but it can/will be expanded in the next few years depending on demand.

From the first link about Eilan.
Work on the project's second phase will depend on the need to expand and could increase the number of residential units to about 1,400.

Read more (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/European-inspired-development-in-San-Antonio-1436019.php#ixzz1SV5B91Ca)

River Walk commercial/residential project hits HDRC agenda
(http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/07/river-walk-commercialresidential-project-hits-hdrc-agenda/)
A small-scale, mixed-use project is being planned that will have a direct impact on East Travis Street and the River Walk. The developer is Bruce Sidlinger, a Trinity grad who made his fortune in computers. I’ve tried — believe me, for at least two months — to talk to Sidlinger about his new development at 133-155 E. Travis St. But so far, no dice.

Sidlinger has employed the services of noted downtown-based Douglas Architects, the same folks who designed the Houston Street Walgreens, and Andrew Weissman’s almost-complete The Luxury restaurant along the Museum Reach, among others.

According to public records, Sidlinger purchased the .194-acre tract of land on East Travis Street in February 2010. Currently, it’s a series of one-story store fronts facing south, with an excellent patio overlooking the River Walk pointing north. Previous tenants include Lula’s Mexican Café (which today reopened just down the street at 115 E. Travis St. in the Milam Building), La Gardenia Mexican restaurant and some kind of loan operation.

According to the HDRC agenda description and images submitted, the project appears to be a true renovation of the building. Douglas Architects are requesting the replacement of existing storefronts, the replacement of current terrace with steel-framed construction and the construction of a river level café with “storefront glass, awnings and outdoor seating.”
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East Side brewery closer (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/East-Side-brewery-closer-1472399.php)
Alamo Beer Co.'s plan to build a brewery near the Hays Street Bridge has taken a small but important step toward becoming a reality after the controversial project officially gained the support of an East Side neighborhood association.

At a meeting Monday night, the Dignowity Hill neighborhood association approved a vote to back a plan by the company's founder and owner, Eugene Simor, to build a brewery on a nearly 1.7-acre lot the city owns at 803 N. Cherry St.

“I'm pleased with the vote and I look forward to moving ahead with project design and continued input from the community to make sure the project is designed in such a way that it's good for the bridge, good for the community and good for my company,” said Simor, 48, who didn't attend the meeting.

Community stakeholders were at odds over the plan. Some believed a brewery could spark economic investment, while others questioned Simor's vision and instead pushed for a park to be constructed there.

The project first was presented to association members at last month's meeting when Trey Jacobson, an adviser to Simor, made the pitch for the brewery.



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Retama courting Vegas for funding
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Retama-courting-Vegas-for-funding-1472380.php)
Retama Park officials are in talks with two publicly traded Las Vegas casino gaming companies to take a stake in the money-losing horse track in Selma.

Retama Park CEO Bryan Brown would not disclose the names of the two companies being negotiated with separately, but said the track is looking for an investor that would fund its losses for the next six years.

The additional time would give Retama Park at least three more cracks at convincing state lawmakers, who meet every other year, to let voters decide whether to permit slots and possibly table games at Texas racetracks. The tracks failed to muster enough support for legislation during this year's legislative session.

“We know we are going to have losses in the coming years, and we need somebody who can shoulder those losses,” Brown said. “We ultimately need a casino partner, if gaming is ever passed, to help us through the development (of gaming facilities), the financing of the project and the operation of it as well.”

Ironically, Retama Park and other track operators would not support efforts of casino companies to allow Las Vegas-style casino gaming in Texas during this year's legislative session. Track operators only backed video lottery-terminals at 13 racetracks, believing their plan had a better chance of garnering lawmakers' approval.

Quick question, what is that connected with the brewery? Just a simple pedestrian bridge?

Yes, they want it to be a retractable pedestrian bridge.

$17.6 million from bond going to HemisFair
The city plans to spend $17.6 million in leftover bond money to start improving the streets and sidewalks around HemisFair Park — and could possibly start cutting streets into the park for the first time in decades.

These would be the first designer-led street projects in downtown San Antonio and would follow the concept of “complete streets,” in which pedestrians, wheelchairs, bikes, transit and cars are considered equally.

The city has started a national search for a team of designers and engineers to oversee the project and recently issued a request for qualification.

Alamo Street and Durango Boulevard (César E. Chávez Boulevard) around the park's perimeter would be designed and reconstructed with the money, while design work would be done for other streets in and around the park, including Market and Bowie streets.

The money comes from savings from the 2007 city bond and must be spent on streets and drainage work. There is no deadline by which the money must be spent, and until a design team is hired, the construction timeline remains unclear. Work likely would not start until sometime next year.

But as a practical matter, the city wants the money dedicated to a project before it asks voters to approve another bond program in 2012.

“You want to demonstrate to the public that you've spent wisely the first time,” said Pat DiGiovanni, deputy city manager. “This project is very consistent with where the master framework plan is going. We need to calm traffic. We need to improve Alamo and Durango. It will frame the park.”

If there's enough money, streets would be cut into HemisFair following the historic grid that was there before the World's Fair in 1968, said Andrés Andújar, CEO of the HemisFair Park Area Redevelopment Corp., created to oversee redevelopment of the park.

DiGiovanni wasn't sure that money would be left to reintroduce streets into the park itself, but said the street overhaul would be a start toward improving HemisFair. “The idea is to get the money on the street as quickly as possible,” he said.

The first streets to return to the park would be Goliad, basically a continuation of Nueva that would go underneath the park's distinctive arch and follow the existing brick path of HemisFair Plaza Way, and Water, a small spur that would connect the new Goliad with Durango.

“We're looking at streets where they used to be,” Andújar said. “The old historic buildings are groundless now because the streets aren't there. This would bring life to them. The street is not going to take any of the green space. We're not putting any streets where there is park today. We're putting streets where there used to be streets and there is concrete today.”

Those first street cuts are needed to allow people to better access the park — particularly to get to the area around the Tower of the Americas, Andújar said. And the street work would help create a corner of the park that could be used as a marketplace. Although there's a playground, a B-Cycle location and the Magik Theatre in Beethoven Hall, many of the historic buildings are sitting empty and seldom are accessed.

The master plan for HemisFair is still in the works, with sections on sustainability and financial viability expected to be completed in September, Andújar said. The city council unanimously approved a framework plan in May, including an effort that would raze part of the Convention Center, relocate several current park tenants and enhance connections to the East Side.

Other financial resources the city has said it could tap into are public-private partnerships and the hotel occupancy tax. The HemisFair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. has started the work to start a nonprofit corporation that could fundraise.

The “complete streets” concept is a new one for downtown.

“You consider all modes of transportation equally including the pedestrian,” Andújar said. “It's not just about how fast you can get the vehicle traffic through. There are buses and maybe streetcars these designs have to consider. All of these things are contemplated equally, whereas in the past, you're only thinking about cars, and everything else goes to hell.”

Andújar said he hopes city council will be able to approve a team in August and that work could start late in the spring of 2012. “We're moving like the private sector,” he said. “This keeps us busy with real activity — not just pushing paper around.”

Construction to start on Steel House Lofts (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Construction-to-start-on-Steel-House-Lofts-1541995.php)
Starting Monday, construction will begin on the long-awaited Steel House Lofts, a project that will turn a nearly 100-year-old building that once housed iron and steel into a modern living space just south of downtown in the South Flores area.

Austin-based developer Dennis McDaniel bought the 73,000-square-foot building in 2006 with the idea of creating condos and townhomes. But the collapse of the economy and the real estate market put that plan on the back burner and the plan then morphed to incorporate rental units.

The developers recently closed on a Housing and Urban Development loan, which allowed them to finally start the project.

The lofts are set to open next summer.

The developer has worked on multiple historic renovations in Austin but this is his first crack at it in the Alamo City. He estimates it will cost about $140 per square foot to renovate the space and added that it would have cost less to tear down the building and construct something new.

“This is a beautiful, beautiful building, and it's vacant; it's dead,” said McDaniel. “And if someone didn't come and fix it up and bring life to this building, it would just deteriorate. That would be such a shame. Instead, we're going to bring new life to the building and that area.”

With exposed-brick interiors, high ceilings and concrete floors, some spaces will include private yards and patio spaces. A lap pool, exercise room, basement storage and private covered parking are available to residents. There also will be a commercial storefront on the first floor.

Johnny Hernandez, the owner of La Gloria at the Pearl Brewery, said he is in talks with McDaniel to open a Mexico City-influenced cafe and deli there.

Pricing for the 67 units hasn't been determined, but McDaniel said they will be listed at market price. Spaces start at about 880 square feet for one-bedroom units and go up to nearly 2,000 square feet for three-bedroom lofts. There also will be eight two-story units.

The red brick exterior will get a minor facelift, but because the building is historic, not much will be done to change the façade. An additional two floors will be added to the front of the building to make room for 22 units. And project manager Melissa Gomez said they might hire a local artist to create signage on an old water tower atop the building.

Even though McDaniel is focused on creating something new there, it's the history of the building and the area that's the biggest draw.

In 1912, a fire broke out at the Peden Iron & Steel Co. building located on South Flores Street. A year later, Atlee B. Ayres designed a new warehouse for the company across the street. This is the building that will house the lofts.

The company operated out of that location until the early 1930s and since then it has housed a furniture maker, paper manufacturer, hardware store, General Motors parts division and realty company.

The Steel House Lofts is the latest addition to the revitalization that is occurring in SoFlo, one of the oldest area of town. The area doesn't hold the historic designation that's attached to surrounding neighborhoods such as Lavaca and King William, but it is seeing an influx of families, students and artists. Several old warehouses along South Flores already have been renovated into living spaces, including the South End Lofts, Judson Candy Factory Lofts and the Camp Street lofts. Add to that the newly renovated Mission Reach stretch of the San Antonio River and other projects such as the Cevallos Street Lofts, a four-story, 252-unit rental property, and the area is poised for a comeback.

“I see that neighborhood really coming to life in the next couple of years,” said Hernandez who moved into the area about two years ago.

While the area waits to turnaround, for the Steel House Lofts, the wait is finally over.

“Really, the building has just been sitting, waiting,” said Gomez. “Now it's time to get to work.”



http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1140128&width=628&height=471
http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1140126&width=628&height=471

Quick question, what is that connected with the brewery? Just a simple pedestrian bridge?

That's the Hays Street Bridge.

It reopened last year after nearly 30 years of being closed. It's just east of downtown and the primarily abandoned industrial near east side is slowly improving and the bridge was the first step. This brewery is another.

After 28 years of barricades, demolition threats, ownership disputes and fundraising shortfalls, the Hays Street Bridge is open again.

On Tuesday, several hundred East Side residents, bicycle riders, engineers, historic preservationists and politicians gathered on a concrete ramp to the bridge to mark its rebirth as a bike-and- pedestrian passageway.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/114/img0689ns.jpg

http://www.bridgemapper.com/featured_bridge_archive/images/TXBE_HaysStOverRR.jpg

http://www.vidorrachat.com/storage/Hays_Street_Bridge-5.JPG?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1281405772241

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/9126/0731101388.jpg

More on the bridge.

http://publicart.mdlonline.com/HaysStreetBridge.htm

Cevallos Street Lofts progress
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https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.184976234871907.34611.120237554679109&type=1

1221 Broadway Update
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Courtesy of Lando http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=5361468&postcount=76

Full speed ahead for light rail, streetcars (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Full-speed-ahead-for-light-rail-streetcars-1604355.php)
San Antonio may finally have a road map to its transportation future.

On Tuesday, VIA Metropolitan Transit adopted a master plan that proposes a multitude of new transit projects that could turn this bus-only transit agency into one that provides streetcar and light-rail service in the coming decades.

Board members unanimously approved the plan at their monthly meeting.

“The first step in truly becoming a multimodal agency is developing a plan,” said VIA President and CEO Keith Parker moments before the vote. “I think 10 years ... from now, we'll be looking at a whole host of improvements that will lead us not only to being what San Antonio expects us to be, but being a role model for the rest of the nation.

“Tonight begins that journey for us.”

San Antonio is the largest city in the U.S. with a bus-only transit system, according to the plan. The city's only previous electric streetcar system was discontinued in 1933.

The plan, SmartWaySA, was developed over two years and several series of public workshops. It envisions 39 miles of light-rail, 57 miles of bus rapid transit, and thee miles of streetcar by 2035. By then, Bexar County's population is expected to have surged to more than 2.15 million.

VIA will update the plan every five years.

Specific elements of the plan include details on the city's first bus rapid transit line, set to launch late next year or in early 2013, plus plans for additional bus rapid transit lines stretching north and south.

The next priority will be construction of an east-west modern streetcar line through downtown connecting VIA's planned West Side multimodal center and the Robert Thompson Transit Center at the Alamodome on the East Side.

It also has recommendations for two light-rail corridors in the region, one stretching north and south, initially joining the airport and downtown, and one east and west, connecting Lackland AFB to Fort Sam Houston.

VIA said it will work to improve downtown transit and enhance existing assets such as the Thompson Center. Board members Tuesday approved pursuing an urban village concept at the center that would tie into nearby Sunset Station.

“It makes sense to start where we've already got something on the ground and build from there,” said board member Mary Briseño, who proposed focusing on the east-west streetcar in the short term.

Over the next few months, VIA will lay out funding scenarios for the projects and present ideas to the public for review. Transportation projects are notoriously slow, but Parker said he hopes to have “several projects” complete in five years.


http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1163719&width=577&height=842

More on transit

VIA Rolls Out Transit Plan
Hi-Tech Buses, Electric Streetcars Among 5-Year Plan
SAN ANTONIO -- VIA's grand plan for mass transit over the next five years includes high-tech buses that hold more passengers and hit more stops and electric streetcars downtown.

"These are sleek modern looking buses that are more esthetically pleasing," VIA CEO Keith Parker said.

The expansion plan will be costly with a $180 million price tag.

"I think it's an excellent plan, but it's going to take partners to make it happen," Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said.

Wolff said the county will need to put up around $50 million, the city $60 million and VIA an additional $70 million.

He said even at such a high cost, he feels it's necessary.

"After 2012, they said they'll be no more funding to build highways. I think that's probably good. If we want to stop building highways, if we want to stop spreading out, if we want to stop damaging the environment then let's put our money where our mouth is and let's do this," Wolff said.

VIA will take their plan before the commissioner's court Aug. 9.

Wolff said they may or may not take action Aug. 9, but he's certainly on board
http://www.ksat.com/news/28685045/detail.html

1221 Broadway’s first move-ins tomorrow (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/07/1221-broadway-first-move-ins-tomorrow/)
It took years of litigation, some incentive maneuvering from the city, and probably about 1,000 other hurdles, but the apartment project at 1221 Broadway, once a monolithic concrete eyesore, sees its first residents move in tomorrow.

At least 68 of the project’s 268 units have been preleased, or more than 25 percent, according to David Adelman, principal of Cross & Co., which also built the 247-unit Vistana apartment building on downtown’s westside.

Not all of the 268 units are ready for occupation. The cluster of 19 buildings mostly flanked by U.S. 281 and the Museum Reach will be completed in phases total completion scheduled for November, according to documents submitted to the Historic and Design Review Commission. Overall, that cluster is considered the first phase of 1221 Broadway. The second phase is the concrete rectangular shell most visible from Broadway, that will add another 34 residential units, as well as office and retail space.

The site is still very much a construction site. The outdoor pool still needs to be completed, and Avenue B, which bisects the building cluster, remains closed. But 1221 Broadway’s leasing office and the model unit have been open for more than a week. 1221′s website — 1221Broadway.com — has also been updated to include rates.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/07/workshop-attendees-cite-grocery-store-more-housing-as-downtowns-biggest-needs/


Grocery store, more housing cited at workshop as downtown’s biggest needs

Pearl brewery CEO to step down (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Pearl-brewery-CEO-to-step-down-1626674.php)
After directing the Pearl Brewery for nearly three years, Darryl Byrd announced Thursday that he will step down as CEO effective Sept. 30. Despite his upcoming departure, the project continues to take shape, with the future addition of office, residential and restaurant space and a boutique hotel.

Still, he said his departure is well timed because most of the Pearl is either constructed, being developed or is in the design stage.

Byrd shared that the 22-acre Pearl is in the process of closing on an office lease agreement at the Pearl Parkway with a San Antonio-based organization.

Plus, agreements also are being finalized for a hotel at that will be located at the iconic brew house and three new restaurants.

One restaurant will be in the building housing the Culinary Institute of America and offer Pan-Latin cuisine. Another will be run by a chef that already has a San Antonio presence. The third restaurant will be run by a chef that is not from America. Byrd would not name any of the anticipated tenants but did say the restaurants are expected to open next spring.

Across the San Antonio River from the main campus, Silver Ventures also has purchased an additional 5 acres but plans for that land haven't been determined.






Yay, more action on the South Side!:banana:

$27 million housing project set for Brooks (http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/southside/news/article/27-million-housing-project-set-for-Brooks-1597933.php)

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The Landings at Brooks City-Base will offer 300 new loft-residential living spaces to business and health professionals.
Photo: Courtesy Photo / SA

Last week, officials broke ground on a $27 million housing project at Brooks City-Base, a former military installation that's now public land.

The development, called the Landings at Brooks City-Base, will offer 300 new loft-residential style living spaces targeted at business and health professionals working in and around the South Side.

The project has been in the works for around 10 years, said Dan Markson, senior vice president of development for the NRP Group, the developer of the project.

“This project will help create new housing, new jobs and will become the project that changes the face of the South Side,” Markson said during a ceremony July 20. “These apartment homes will enhance this area and spur growth.”

While the apartments are not the first on the former base, Markson said they will be the first high-end living facilities.

“The Landings at Brooks City Base will offer the comfort, space and modern design of a typical urban loft,” Markson said.

Prices for the apartments have not been set.

New life for longtime eyesore (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/New-life-for-longtime-eyesore-1681661.php)
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The 1221 Broadway Building is seen in this Friday July 29, 2011 aerial pictures. I-35 is seen at the left of the frame going top to bottom. US 281 is seen at the top of the frame going left to right. Photo: Express-News, WILLIAM LUTHER / 2011 SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

After sitting vacant for half a decade, the 1221 Broadway now has signs of life as its first apartment residents began moving in on Friday.

On its opening day, 72 people had signed leases and only five units were left.

The mixed-use project, which has an industrial urban style, will be released in five phases, and the first four are expected to be on line by October, said David Adelman, a principal at Cross & Co., which controls a partnership that owns the property.

The last phase, which will be a commercial front along Broadway, is expected to be completed by February. Those spaces will house the leasing office and could possibly accommodate a restaurant, Adelman added.

No leases have been signed for commercial spaces.

Right now, only studios and one-bedroom apartments are available, with two-bedroom units coming later. There are 33 floor plans, and rent will run between $800 and $2,000 a month.

Once the project is completed, there will be 307 apartment units on four floors. A courtyard pool is now accessible, and later there will be a rooftop pool and lounge and a fitness center for residents.

Each resident also will have a parking space inside a five-level parking garage.

“The idea was to create a more urban style of living,” said Tawanna Stewart, business manager for the property. “It gives people the convenience to live, work and play in the area.”

It was for that reason that Alex Reynolds, 25, made the move downtown. He was renting a room from a friend near the University of Texas at San Antonio campus, but he decided to make the move because the area north of downtown is affordable and lively and it shortened his commute to work.

“I liked the look and feel of the place, and I couldn't find anything comparable,” the UTSA graduate said. “I wouldn't be able to afford anything like this, say, in New York City. I'm not expecting everything to come on line all at once, but once it does, it will be great.”

Late last year, the project received a $23.4 million loan to help get the development off the ground again. But until then, the project had seen its share of troubles.

In October 2004, construction stopped when George Geis, the property's original developer, sued his general contractor over claims that it had been overpaid by more than $2.5 million, according to San Antonio Express-News archives.

When Geis defaulted on a $26.7 million loan, the lender turned over the property to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to insure the note. HUD sold the debt to another company, and Geis sought bankruptcy protection a day before the new owners were set to foreclose.

A four-year legal battle ensued between Geis and the previous developers, Colina Del Rio partnership. By the time the partnership got a clear title, the economy tanked and the building had been stripped, leaving a concrete shell that could be seen from the Interstate 35/Interstate 37 interchange.

For years, the property was an eyesore that loomed over the northern edge of downtown. But with other successful developments nearby such as the Pearl Brewery, Ben Brewer, president of the Downtown Alliance, said that area is primed for a boom.

“It's going to be transformational from a neighborhood perspective when we have hundreds of residents living in that area,” Brewer said, citing other projects under way at the Pearl such as the Can Plant and Pearl Parkway apartments. “It bodes well for the kind of residential density that we're interested in seeing take place in and around the downtown area.”

Braving the nearly 100- degree heat, Laura Patton spent her Friday afternoon lugging furniture and boxes into her new place, the first she can call her own.

The Alamo City native leased a one-bedroom with a view of the San Antonio Museum of Art and the new Museum Reach of the River Walk. She wasn't fazed by the bucket trucks, construction workers and rubble still visible from her balcony.

“I'm not bothered by the ongoing construction,” said Patton, 23. “I'm just excited to get out of my parents' house.”

Although the project is still in its infancy, Adelman said the property will be a catalyst for other developers to build in that area.

“I'm not celebrating just yet. There's still a lot of work to be done,” he said.

“This project was a hold-up for development here. It set back the neighborhood three to four years. But now things can be cut free and happen.

“I feel confident that landowners will start developing to create a great community,” he said.

Pearl Brewery executive looking to take on new community initiatives (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2011/07/pearl-brewery-executive-looking-to.html)
As for what’s ahead at Pearl, work has begin on a 165,000-square-foot, mixed-use building for the Pearl Parkway North and South project. The work includes creating 80 residential units. Work is also under way on another 219 residential units that will make up the Can Building at Pearl.

Hello, I am new so please don't be mean. What are they building on the hill north of the Rim?
Is the Landmark still a go?
Phase II of the Rim, Village at the Rim?
Rialto Village?
Sorry for all the questions, but I don't live in San Antonio, I love it and I will be through there in 2 weeks, please keep me posted.

Welcome to SkyscraperCity!:banana:

The Village at the Rim and Rialto Village's developers are bankrupt. EDIT: About Rialto: http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Chapter-11-is-requested-1453576.php and http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Sale-of-Rialto-Village-parcels-OK-d-1466892.php

The Landmark is still a go, but right now they are just doing the retail portion. So you might not see any hotels or multifamily buildings in awhile.

Also, what is under construction on the east side of I-10 directly north of the Lowe's at the Rim?
Is River North still kicking?
Sorry about having so many questions.

My connection is being slow right now and I can't get some of the info. I'd like, but I believe that the building is either hotel or office building. If someone knows for sure, please enlighten us.:ohno:

River North is alive and waiting to take off(hopefully). There are some earlier posts on this page and the page before with updates on 1221 Broadway which is a mixed use development in River North that contains apartments and street retail on Broadway. It is viewed as the catalytic project for the area to grow. Here is another story on it:
The partially completed apartment development at 1221 Broadway sat unfinished for about six years, but now 67 apartments are ready and 35 people have already moved in.

The 1221 will eventually have more than 300 apartments and about 10,000 square feet of commercial space.

But for project developer David Adelman, having tenants is a big step toward completing a project that he said has dragged on for too long. He took over the project after the first developers ran out of money and abandoned it.
http://www.ksat.com/news/28729627/detail.html

Ok, thank you. I pass through the Rim/La Cantera area on my way to West Texas. Excited for SA's future.

I think the building is the NuStar headquarters.

Oh, ok thanks. I <3 Skyscrapers!!! And San Antonio!!!

Good news for the Pearl Brewery, Southtown, and East Side areas. :banana:

Taco Land under new ownership – Hollywood style (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Taco-Land-under-new-ownership-Hollywood-style-1726887.php)
Taco Land was pure San Antonio and the same can be said about the two individuals now invested in the property — except that one also brings a hint of Hollywood.

From the local bands that blasted rock 'n' roll from the disheveled bar's cramped stage to its harsh, yet warm, owner, the late Ramiro “Ram” Ayala, one thing about Taco Land is that it gave people a platform for expression. And although the new owners aren't looking to develop the property themselves, they do hope it will have elements of music and art.

Tacoland Studios LLC is made up of Ricardo Chavira, who plays Carlos Solis, the husband of Eva Longoria's character on Desperate Housewives, and David Adelman, a principal at Cross & Co., a local development firm. Taking his first crack at a commercial real estate venture, Chavira approached Adelman, a high school friend, earlier this year about the property, which is assessed at $190,000, according to the Bexar Appraisal District. Both men noticed how the area around the Pearl Brewery has turned around in recent years, and they wanted to build upon that.

Although there aren't any deals under contract, Adelman said one group is putting together a business plan tilted toward a restaurant. He didn't name any names, but did mention the interested person is a local restaurateur who is expected to present the idea within 30 days.

“I've talked a lot about place-making as it relates to our urban core and really making our inner city vibrant, dynamic and exciting,” Adelman said. “A place like this will help us do that.”






Lavaca live-work project gets the green light (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/realestate/2011/08/lavaca-live-work-project-gets-the-green-light/)
The Lavaca neighborhood is another step closer to having a live-work development.

The City Council on Thursday approved a change to the city’s master plan that will allow the construction of five live-work units on Devine Street just south of downtown.

The units would have a 250-square-foot office or gallery space on the ground level with parking, with 800 to 1,000 square feet of living space on the upper floors. They’re intended for artists and other creative professionals who want to rent and give the urban neighborhood a try, but can’t necessarily afford the increasingly pricey mortgages in Lavaca.

And you can follow the Mews on Devine Street facebook page here for updates on the project. Scruggs will still have to take her ultimate design for the project through the city’s Historic Design and Review Commission, so stay tuned.


http://www.concernedinsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/241186_198740130169411_198658806844210_508027_8306891_o.jpg



East Side brewery gains another endorsement (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/East-Side-brewery-gains-another-endorsement-1747003.php)
Alamo Beer Co.'s proposal to build a brewery on a piece of city-owned land next to the Hays Street Bridge has garnered support from District 2 Councilwoman Ivy Taylor, who expects a formal recommendation from city staff in the coming weeks.

But before the project can get under way, Taylor added that there needs to be a resolution to various concerns, including views from the bridge, traffic, public access and the city's role in the process.

This is the plan's second major endorsement after it had gained the support of the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association last month.

While the plan now has Taylor's support, she said that the brewery's owner, Eugene Simor, will need to discuss the plan further with city staff, who then will draft a formal recommendation — and she hopes it happens sooner than later.

“I've asked them to be pretty quick,” she said. “I don't know what the exact timeline is, but I think it will be coming out within the next two weeks.”

Simor, who already owns a 1.9-acre lot next to the bridge, want to gain access to the city-owned property to build a brewery to manufacture his Alamo Golden Ale. He currently brews his beer at the Real Ale Brewing Co. in Blanco, but the growth of his business has prompted the idea for the East Side brewery.

Excited about the prospect of moving forward, Simor said he already has made presentations to multiple city departments, including the office of Historic Preservation and Capital Improvements Management Services. His plan was well received, he said, but it's still not clear if the deal would be a land swap, sale or lease of the property in question.

Now he knows what properties he can work with, Simor said he has to begin the site-planning process before he can start the conceptual design.

Lake/Flato Architects was hired as the design firm.

“We're ready to move forward and continue our work with staff to find a development deal that's going to be good for the city, good for my company and good for the neighborhood,” said Simor, 48.

There would be two phases to the project. The first phase, which is estimated to cost $5.7 million, calls for the construction of a 40-foot-tall, 20,000-square-foot brew house. Simor wants to have the first phase complete by December 2012. A second phase could add another 18,000 square feet.

The brewery would offer tours of the facility, and there is also a plan for a rooftop restaurant, which he wouldn't own but would be run by a separate investor. The plan would also include the creation of a public park space underneath the bridge and a connection between the brewery and the nonhistoric part of the bridge.

Oooooohhhh. Nice! :D

Let's hope for the best!

Bexar may be first to commit to transit plan
Commissioners vote Tuesday on spending $55 million for proposal.
One of the most ambitious public-transit initiatives in VIA’s history could get its first monetary boost as early as next week.

Bexar County commissioners will decide at their regular Tuesday meeting whether to commit $55 million in advanced transportation district funds to the project.

The money would go toward a $180 million transportation package that would include a downtown streetcar line, two downtown transit centers, a transit center at Brooks City-Base and a center somewhere along the U.S. 281 corridor.

The county’s commitment is contingent on whether both the city and VIA chip in funds: $55 million from the city, and $70 million from VIA, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said.

The funds, if secured, would allow cash-strapped VIA to pursue its list of short-term projects without federal dollars.

VIA hopes to break ground on its first project by January, Muñoz said. That could include building the streetcar line, plus construction of a West Side multimodal center in an old train depot, as well as renovation of the Robert Thompson Center on the East Side.


Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/traffic/article/Bexar-may-be-first-to-commit-to-transit-plan-1750982.php#ixzz1UGcQ4m47

Awesome!!

Anyone hear about this?

It's an invitation to the folks living in CAMPStreet, South End Lofts, and Judson Lofts:

I look forward to meeting with those who can attend on Wednesday August 10 at 5:30 pm so I can give a presentation on the proposed mixed use project at the South East Corner of W. Guenther and S. Flores Streets.

At the end of June a few of you sent a letter expressing desires and concerns for the project. I will do my best to address those below. Images are so much stronger than words and to that point I believe that the presentation on August 10th which is image centric will give you all a clear picture of the proposed project.

1. The letter addressed many of the positive aspects of the project which are certainly appreciated. The former images of what was once on the site are disturbing images indeed and we look forward to adding value to the neighborhood.

2. Elevations of the project were requested from all 4 sides of the project. Bill sent out 2 renderings which show how the buildings address S. Flores and Guenther streets and on 8/10 I will have additional perspectives to show which show the massing of all the houses within the block and how the project compares in massing studies.

3. As a community you requested “opening the project onto the streets” and that these entrances be elevated from the street. The overall goal was to provide more “eyes on the street” thereby encouraging a pedestrian environment and adding security. We have provided for a pedestrian pass through into the project from the W. Guenther side of the building and the patios provide an elevated and friendly iteration with passersby.

4. You favor reducing the number of units planned. I would like to engage in a dialogue with you all on the 10th about this. There are many factors which drive the proposed development and many hinge off one another. It is a matter which is difficult to fully address without visual aids and interaction.

5. You posed the question that parking may be insufficient for the site. We have provided internal parking for 1 space per bedroom, and an additional 19 parking spaces of parking along S. Flores and W.Guenther and 3 on Nathan all of which are cut into the property and do not impede the flow of traffic on the residential streets of Nathan and Rische. The parking creates opportunities for visitor parking and commercial parking which enhance the pedestian experience as they are landscaped.

6. You do not prefer gates to the project. I think this is worth discussing at the meeting as my observations of the neighboring developments and small condos and even single family residential homes in the neighborhood show a prevalence of gated parking and gated access.

7. A request was made for 1 vehicular access point on Guenther which is worth discussing at the meeting. We had multiple discussions with the project architect regarding options for reducing a vehicular impact to Nathan or Rische. All of the solutions presented the immediately adjacent neighbors with relatively limited setbacks and a vertical intrusion to the line of sight from their backyards.

We are dedicated to making a project that adds value to the neighborhood and I am looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday August 10th.

Best,
Sunshine</SPAN>

Welcome Calliguy02!

Yay!:banana: A big step in transit!:banana:

Bexar Commissioners Approve Transportation Plan
Court Makes $55 Million Dollar Commitment
SAN ANTONIO -- Bexar County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an amendment to VIA Metropolitan Transit's Advanced Transportation District agreement to provide up to $55 million dollars to jump start the first projects that make up the Long Range Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

The plan calls for high-capacity, environmentally friendly streetcars to be moving through downtown San Antonio in about five years.

"The streetcars, along with two multi-mobile lines that they will connect, will be the catalyst to truly bring San Antonio into the realm of being one of the premiere downtowns in the United States of America," VIA President and CEO Keith Parker told commissioners.

Combined funding from the city, county and federal government will mean a January groundbreaking for the streetcar project.
http://www.ksat.com/news/28814475/detail.html

More on transit.

County approves streetcar funding (http://www.mysanantonio.com/traffic/article/County-approves-streetcar-funding-1800015.php)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1398152&width=628&height=471
Streetcar line Photo: Express-News Graphic / SA

VIA took a major step toward becoming a multimodal transportation agency Tuesday after Bexar County commissioners voted to entrust $55 million to a series of transit projects over the next five years, including a downtown streetcar line that would operate along Houston and Nueva streets.

And now the city must cough up another $55 million, as county officials said they would commit only if both San Antonio and VIA also contribute to the $180 million transportation package.

City officials said they are studying VIA's proposals and could make a pitch to council members as early as the end of this month.

Without that assistance, VIA would be unable to pursue its plans — at least in the short term.

“I think the city recognizes that, as our partner, that VIA has been underfunded historically and that it's time for that to change,” Muñoz said.

VIA will contribute $70 million, now that the agency has the ability to bond its ATD funds.

If the city contributes its proposed share of the funding, the transit agency hopes to break ground in January on the streetcar line, a mode of transportation that VIA President and CEO Keith Parker called “economic development juggernauts.”

“We think a streetcar, along with the two multimodal lines that it will connect, will be that catalyst to truly bring San Antonio into the realm of being one of the premiere towns in the United States of America,” Parker said.

Bexar County voters definitively struck down a light-rail proposal in 2000. While light-rail is included in VIA's long-range plan, it is not part of this funding package, though the streetcar line could later connect to light-rail.

The county's funding decision Tuesday comes two weeks after VIA adopted its long-range plan, SmartWaySA, which plots the agency's growth through 2035.

The short-term would pay for the downtown streetcar line and a new West Side transit center in the city's former train depot, which VIA owns. The streetcar could potentially travel down Houston Street and then south to Nueva along Santa Rosa Street. It would then run east down Nueva, through HemisFair Park — the subject of its own major redevelopment initiative — and then along Montana Street and up to the Robert Thompson Transit Center at the Alamodome.

Renovations at the Thompson center are included in the short-term plan, as are proposals for VIA Park & Ride facilities at both Brooks City Base and somewhere along the U.S. 281 corridor outside Loop 1604.

Muñoz said VIA officials believe ridership will increase by 10 percent with all of the improvements.

Also in the plan, the number of buses moving through downtown would fall by 40 percent, as downtown transfers would be eliminated and riders would be rerouted through the east and west transit centers. Additional amenities would include solar-powered bus stops with real-time travel information and canopies.






Mayor invites Mexico business school to expand in S.A. (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Mayor-invites-Mexico-business-school-to-expand-in-1799437.php)
MEXICO CITY — Mayor Julián Castro on Tuesday invited a leading Mexico business school, known as IPADE, to expand its programs to San Antonio, in part to assist Mexican business owners who have moved to the city.

IPADE, stands for El Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresa, and is part of the Mexico City-based Pan-American University. IPADE is known for educating many of Mexico’s CEOs.

“A program like this would fit with San Antonio’s growing and robust Mexican entrepreneur community,” Castro said.

IPADE started solely as a business school in 1967.

“We needed to learn a better way to do business in Mexico. We wanted to learn in a practical way,” Gutiérrez said.

IPADE uses the Harvard Business School’s case method as a model, Gutiérrez explained. Case method is a problem-solving teaching technique.

After the business school at IPADE was established, the Pan-American University grew up around it, expanding with programs in law, medicine and engineering.

IPADE now has campuses in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, but operates its programs throughout Mexico, along with Houston and Miami, mainly through rented hotel space.

Business programs are offered at three levels: advanced management, middle management and the supervisor/foremen rank. Master of business administration and executive MBA degree programs are offered.

Companies often pay the tuition for their existing executives. IPADE even designs courses for specific companies and their needs.






More insight on Tobin Center: http://sacurrent.com/arts/visualart/how-the-tobin-center-will-transform-performance-8212-and-san-antonio-8217-s-museum-reach-1.1180548

I attended the meeting mentioned in my previous post. The project will be a 3-story mixed use project fronting on S Flores and Guenther with parking entrances on the side streets.

About 40 people showed up to offer their input, probably half vocally supportive, a quarter quiet and watching, and a quarter very vocally opposed, mainly because of traffic concerns. Seems ridiculous to me since S Flores is already such a busy street but my suspsicion is that a high-end project like this will raise property values and therefore taxes, which may be the root of the issue. Clearly it will make S Flores a better place to live and help revitalize the neighborhood. ANYTHING is better than an abandoned lot with two run down, graffittied, boarded up buildings.

Interestingly enough, virtually all the opposition came from folks in the neighborhood with houses while those in the newer condo units were virtually all supportive. Go figure!

I've got the renderings for this project--it looks great and I'll be uploading soon. In the meantime, there's a Zoning Commission meeting on Tuesday August 16 at 1pm in the Board Room of Development Services at 1901 S. Alamo -- the developers need community support to push this forward.
If anyone's willing to contact their public representatives to voice support, here's their contact info:
Mariana Ornelas (Zoning Commissioner Dist 1)
mornelas17@grandecom.net
Kevin Lopez (Chief of Staff for Dist 1 Councilman Bernal)
210.207.7047
Kevin.lopez@sanantonio.gov

Diego Bernal (Councilman Dist 1)
210.207.7279
District1@sanantonio.gov

Micah Diaz (Zoning Case Manager)
210.207.5876
micah.diaz@sanantonio.gov

Without our support, the zoning may not be changed, which would be huge dissapointment--this infill project is exactly the kind of smart growth that new urbanism is about!

^^ Can't wait!:banana:

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT '1800 BROADWAY' BACK ON TRACK (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/08/mixed-use-development-1800-broadway.html)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TW4Q57OVTPg/TkWDTbf0NjI/AAAAAAAAAQg/uw0CNdBLqIs/Untitled.jpg


Four years ago a local development company razed a group of buildings on the 1800 block of Broadway St. just north of downtown.

The plan was to build two four story mixed-use buildings with the primary use being apartments.

However, before major funding could be secured the housing bubble burst and derailed any progress on the project.

Fast forward to 2011 and Chad P. Carey, the man behind this development has secured funding and is reading to begin construction on 1800 Broadway. However, nothing can happen until the HDRC approves the new design of the buildings, rendered at the top.

Along with 210 unit 1800 Broadway development, the Pearl/Lower Broadway area is currently under a residential construction boom.

Pearl's Can Plant: 192 units
1221 Broadway: 270 units
Mosaic: 114 units
So all told, that's nearly 800 residential units under construction or planned in an area with a radius less than half a mile.

Wow! Looks like Broadway is gonna be hoppin'! Hopefully these projects just north and south of central downtown will pave the way for more market-rate housing to lure in the young people who can turn downtown around!

More about the 1800. It is good infill; gets rid of some dead space.

230-unit residential building back on HDRC’s agenda (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/08/230-unit-residential-building-back-on-hdrcs-agenda/)
4. More housing?

Not downtown, but close enough, a multifamily residential development known as 1800 Broadway is back on the agenda. According to documents, the HDRC gave final approval on Jan. 21, 2009, a six-building, multi-use complex with 230 residential units, office space, retail and “related recreational space.” But, “the applicant has returned due to revisions in the project design,” according to the agenda. Changes appear to be mostly aesthetic. Hope to have more on this project soon.

The agenda item contains more info. View it here. (http://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/Docs/HDRC/Case_4_5.pdf)


Western art museum taking shape (http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/visual_arts/article/Western-art-museum-taking-shape-1970512.php)
The section of the River Walk behind the future home of the Briscoe Western Art Museum is quiet on a hot, mosquito-y morning, but board member Tracy Wolff can envision a day in the not too distant future when longhorn cattle will come thundering up the banks, driven by a vaquero on horseback.

A committee is in the process of identifying an artist to create the sculpture, which will usher visitors past a waterfall, up a double staircase and into the River Walk entrance of the museum on Market Street.

Should it come to fruition, the sculpture will be the cherry on top of the National Western Art Foundation’s $30 million project, which includes the renovation of the 1929 building that originally housed the Carnegie Library (and later the Hertzberg Circus Museum) and the construction of an adjoining three-story pavilion.

By midsummer, a little more than 70 percent of the ? construction — which began in 2007 — was complete, and the museum board was $5 million shy of its total capital campaign goal.

Originally scheduled to open in spring 2009, the museum, which will feature about 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, is now aiming for late 2013. Expected to be a big revenue generator for the museum, the pavilion will open first next March for Night of the Artists, the foundation’s annual fundraiser.


http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/briscoe-western-art-museum/briscoe-western-art-museum-1.jpg
http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/briscoe-western-art-museum/briscoe-western-art-museum-2.jpg
Lake|Flato (http://www.lakeflato.com/projects/briscoe-western-art-museum/)

Trader Joe's has confirmed they're entering the San Antonio market. More to come.

More on Trader Joe's.
TRADER JOE'S OPENING SAN ANTONIO LOCATION (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/08/trader-joes-opening-san-antonio.html)
The one thing I hear in life and on the internet is how San Antonio needs a Trader's Joe. The specialty grocery store is quite popular on the west and east coast.

Well, good news, Trader Joe's is coming to San Antonio.
An official for Trader Joe's confirmed Wednesday that the company is looking to expand into San Antonio. Nothing definitive has been inked, and the official, who did not want to be named, didn't comment further and didn't volunteer a timeline or possible sites for the anticipated store.
The rumor mill has the first location opening at the Quarry Village in north central San Antonio.



$4 million waiting on deals (http://www.plazadearmastx.com/index.php/business/101-news/1341-4-million-waiting-on-deals)
The City Council will vote Thursday on the first serious money dedicated to luring a downtown grocery (read: H-E-B) as well as funding that could help pay for the Friedrich Building, a redevelopment project that’s running into complications.

The funding – $1 million for the “Downtown Grocery Development Project” and $3 million for the Friedrich, a onetime refrigerator factory complex that mars East Commerce Street – is interest income gleaned from a $57 million loan pool awarded to the City several years by HUD.

More on the downtown grocery package:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Incentives-are-set-for-downtown-grocery-2122044.php

The City Council set aside $1 million in incentives Thursday for a downtown grocery store, which sources say H-E-B plans to build near its corporate headquarters south of César E. Chávez Boulevard.
The store is expected to be between 10,000 and 12,000 square feet and include a gas station, the sources said.
An H-E-B spokeswoman said the grocery giant has a contract on two properties on South Flores Street, near its headquarters along the San Antonio River, but she said the company doesn't plan to build a small grocery store there.
H-E-B plans to use the space to expand its corporate offices, she said in an email.
Dya Campos, the spokeswoman, also said H-E-B wasn't involved in the city's decision to set aside incentives for a downtown store.
Deputy City Manager Pat DiGiovanni (http://www.mysanantonio.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=business&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Pat+DiGiovanni%22) said after Thursday's council vote that designating the money wasn't tied to a particular project, but he acknowledged that H-E-B is the only grocer with whom the city has had discussions about a downtown location.
“We haven't had a discussion with anyone about incentives. We've had a conversation with H-E-B about a downtown grocery store,” DiGiovanni said. “I can't confirm for you the location. They continue to work on the feasibility of a downtown grocery store, and that's been our conversations so far.”
In a written statement, Campos said: “South Texas enjoys some of the lowest prices in the grocery industry in the nation. H-E-B's commitment to contributing to Texas having low prices on groceries means that we operate our business in the most efficient manner. If we do open a store downtown, the economics have to be right in order for us to continue offering the low prices our customers expect and deserve from us.”
DiGiovanni said the city hasn't had substantive conversations with any other grocer. The $1 million could be used as an incentive or in “some other way,” he said.
The city could offer up to $1 million to a grocer for land purchase, infrastructure, or horizontal and vertical development, DiGiovanni said.
Campos has confirmed the grocery giant has a contract on properties at 512 and 516 S. Flores (http://www.mysanantonio.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=business&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22516+S.+Flores%22) St., but has yet to close the deal. The two sites total about six-tenths of an acre and are valued on the Bexar County tax rolls at a combined $904,400.
Councilman Diego Bernal (http://www.mysanantonio.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=business&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Diego+Bernal%22) said the incentive signifies another step closer toward a downtown grocery store.
“We've moved beyond the question of ‘if,' to the question of ‘when.'” Bernal said. “To that, the answer is sooner rather than later.”
Downtown residents for years have yearned for a nearby grocery store, Bernal said. Doing such was a central theme in SA2020, Mayor Julián Castro (http://www.mysanantonio.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=business&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Juli%C3%A1n+Castro%22)'s long-term planning process, which also prioritized revitalizing the city's urban core.
“It's the No. 1 amenity cited when folks talk about what's missing downtown,” he said.
With the $1 million, Castro said the city is doing what it can to “incentivize” a downtown grocery store.
In 2008, H-E-B closed a near-downtown store at 2701 S. Presa St., which had been there nearly 60 years. Nearby residents still complained about the closing despite H-E-B opening one of its Plus stores about three miles away at the McCreless Market (http://www.mysanantonio.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=business&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22McCreless+Market%22).
The city has pushed for a downtown grocery, but experts said there aren't enough residents in the city center to warrant one. The Downtown Alliance (http://www.mysanantonio.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=business&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Downtown+Alliance%22) has estimated that more than 4,500 residents live downtown in nearly 2,700 condo and apartment units. Three times as many residential units would be needed to support a grocery store, industry experts said.
Though Castro and Bernal said they expect there to be a store downtown, neither could confirm a specific location.
Sources close to the conversation, however, say it appears H-E-B is focusing on the site of the former KEDA “Radio Jalapeño” conjunto station.
“H-E-B's interest in the properties on South Flores remain under contract and have not closed; we are working on completing closing requirements,” Campos wrote in an email. “Our interest in the properties are not related to any discussion of a downtown grocery store, if acquired the properties will be an extension of our corporate offices.”
Campos added that H-E-B and the city “continue discussions on the viability of a downtown grocery store,” but she didn't offer a potential location or timeline associated with the project, saying that “the economics of opening a downtown grocery store remain challenging.”
“We remain in the conceptual phase in our discussions with the city of a downtown grocery store," she said.





Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/article/Incentives-are-set-forgrocery-2122044.php#ixzz1VTxIexE8

Also, what is under construction on the east side of I-10 directly north of the Lowe's at the Rim?
Is River North still kicking?
Sorry about having so many questions.

Construction across Lowe's - Eilan.com (http://eilan.com/)

Is River North kicking???? I don't know what you mean, it (RN) is a plan, not so much an overall development. There are projects "kicking" on RN; Pearl, 1221, perhaps 1800, small offices, etc. so development is happening, if that is what you mean.

The building on the hill by Lowes is the NuStar HQ's, KCI is building its HQ's a couple miles down the road on Hausman.

Rim phase II (not quite sure what all that includes) - There are some apartments on VJ and a couple of hotels on Rim Pass. The Village still only has the parking garage shells as its only tenants. Ricchi condos (http://www.thericchi.com/condos.php) might break ground soon, they are at 60%; I believe the magic number is 70% sold.

I attended the meeting mentioned in my previous post. The project will be a 3-story mixed use project fronting on S Flores and Guenther with parking entrances on the side streets.

About 40 people showed up to offer their input, probably half vocally supportive, a quarter quiet and watching, and a quarter very vocally opposed, mainly because of traffic concerns. Seems ridiculous to me since S Flores is already such a busy street but my suspsicion is that a high-end project like this will raise property values and therefore taxes, which may be the root of the issue. Clearly it will make S Flores a better place to live and help revitalize the neighborhood. ANYTHING is better than an abandoned lot with two run down, graffittied, boarded up buildings.

Interestingly enough, virtually all the opposition came from folks in the neighborhood with houses while those in the newer condo units were virtually all supportive. Go figure!

Sorry I couldn't make the last meeting; what was the outcome?
People see more units coming and they assume more traffic. Actually, most of the traffic is "through" traffic on Flores. I've driven through there for a good while and traffic has remained the same even though there are now about 400 more condos in the area than before. You have less traffic with residences than with offices because not everyone leaves at the same time. If they did, then even subdivisions or large apartment complexes with one or two exits would have traffic jams every morning as they leave their forts.

Do you have the renderings?

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT '1800 BROADWAY' BACK ON TRACK (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/08/mixed-use-development-1800-broadway.html)

Hannah_Banana - The numbers you have are close, but these are a bit more accurate:

Pearl Can + Ave. A - 211 (192+19)
Pearl Retail - 74 (also being constructed right now)
Pearl Total - 285
1221 - 307 (including the building on Broadway)
1800 - 230
Mosaic (https://webapps1.sanantonio.gov/rfcadocs/R_7186_20101124010218.pdf) - 104
Total - 926 near Pearl/Broadway

911 is the total U/C right now between Pearl (285), 1221 (307),CL (252), and Steel House Lofts (67).
That'll be an additional 1,300 or so residents that will be living in/near DT by the end of next year.

MangoMike,

I do have renderings...just have to figure out where to upload them so I can link to them on the forum. I'll see what I can swing this afternoon.

@MangoMike yes that is what I meant. Thank you.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, CEVALLOS MODERN, COMING TO SOUTHTOWN (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/09/residential-development-cevallos-modern.html)
http://cevallosmodern.com/images/index_09.jpg
Cevallos Modern is a planned four unit residential development to be built across from Cevallos Lofts which currently under construction. The units will be designed with a modern look, hence the name.

The average price for each unit is $230,000.

For more information go to the development website here (http://cevallosmodern.com/).



Good news for downtown office market.

Former AT&T headquarters filling up fast (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/09/former-att-headquarters-filling-up-fast/)
In September alone, leases could be announced that would push AT&T’s former headquarters at 175 E. Houston St. to beyond 50 percent occupancy. And in 30 to 45 days, that number could rise to 90 percent.

The tower has been mostly empty since AT&T announced its corporate move to Dallas in mid-2008.

So far, San Antonio-based eye care group HVHC Inc. has signed on for 10 years. And Argo Group US, a division of Bermuda-based specialty insurance underwriter Argo Group International Holdings Ltd., is ready to sign pending approval of an incentives package by City Council on Thursday. Together, the companies would place at least 450 jobs inside the building, occupying about 190,000 square feet of the tower’s nearly 280,000 square feet.

Yesterday, HNTB Corp., a national engineering and architecture firm, signed a five-year lease for 11,000 square feet of the second floor of the tower’s sister building at 130 E. Travis St. HNTB, which was selected by VIA Metropolitan Transit in July as its program manager on urban rail, is moving about 40 people from its offices near Loop 410 and U.S. 281.

LOWER BROADWAY MIXED-USED DEVELOPMENT TO BREAK GROUND NEXT WEEK
(http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/09/lower-broadway-mixed-used-development.html)
It's going to become a bit easier to find an apartment near downtown in the coming year.

Next week, work will begin on the Mosaic, a mixed-use development that is expected to add to the Midtown urbanization that is occurring around the northern stretch of the San Antonio River Walk.

What is now a vacant lot near the Pearl Brewery is expected to become a four-story development that will incorporate about 11,200 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and 120 rental apartments, said George Mauzé, president of Broadway Developments, the entity that owns the property.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1613230&width=628&height=471




EXCLUSIVE: H&M, MARGARITAVILLE, DAVE AND BUSTER'S AND MORE PLANNED FOR RIVERCENTER MALL (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/09/exclusive-h-margaritaville-dave-and.html)
In 2006 Rivercenter Mall was sold to New York-based Ashkenazy Corp. with plans to re-envision the mall as a more upscale destination for both tourists and locals. The mall was to be redeveloped in phases, the first being cosmetic. A redesign of the overall look and feel of the shopping center. Phase II, the addition of restaurants and new higher end stores. Phase III, a highrise hotel.

Plans call for a complete redevelopment of the building from one gigantic department store to a shopping and entertainment destination. Clothing wise, the development will be anchored by H&M with other clothing options being Jos A Bank, Ann Taylor Loft and Aldo. With regards to entertainment the main anchor would be a Dave and Buster's but the Joske building would also offer high-end bowling at a proposed Bowlmor Lanes,

An indoor restaurant row is also proposed with Five Guys, Corner Bakery, China Max, Chipotle and Starbucks. All each will have indoor patio's to go along with the new feel of the Joske redevelopment.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--O5ZGoyUw-0/Tnmxb4eoAAI/AAAAAAAAABE/3okVGW7UsK4/s1600/rcm2.png




Streetcar Commission supports VIA's proposal (http://www.mysanantonio.com/traffic/article/Streetcar-Commission-supports-VIA-s-proposal-2182362.php)
VIA's recently reconvened Streetcar Commission endorsed the transit authority's streetcar plan Wednesday, a week before the mayor and City Council get their first official briefing on the proposals.

But Mayor Julián Castro said the city likely won't vote on whether to endorse VIA's streetcar plan and other projects before the first deadline for a federal TIGER III grant that VIA is seeking to fund a portion of the work.

“It moves us into the 21st century in terms of transportation,” Streetcar Commission Chairman Richard Gambitta said after Wednesday's vote.

San Antonio city staffers still are vetting VIA's $180 million, five-year capital plan.

VIA has asked the city to commit $55 million to the project, the same amount Bexar County commissioners pledged to give last month. VIA would provide the additional $70 million.

The transit authority hopes to secure federal dollars from another program, called Small Starts, to build the north-south streetcar line.

The total capital plan includes the east-west streetcar line and two downtown transit facilities. The TIGER III grant would pay for one of those facilities, a West Side Multimodal Center inside the city's old train depot on Medina Street.

VIA officials tentatively are scheduled to make a presentation to city staff and council members at the council's weekly B-session next Wednesday, VIA President and CEO Keith Parker said.

Fort Sam Houston to unveil completed hospital expansion

http://assets.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2011/01/BAMC_SAfile504.jpg?v=1


San Antonio Business Journal
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 10:58am CDT..

Fort Sam Houston officials will open the new inpatient and administrative tower at the San Antonio Military Medical Center on Oct. 7.

Construction on the new addition to the hospital began in early 2009. Department of Defense officials added 102 beds on seven levels. The expansion project also added 760,000 square feet of space to the San Antonio Military Medical Center.

The new building includes an expanded Level 1 trauma center, additional outpatient clinics, two intensive care units, a behavioral health inpatient unit, 95 inpatient rooms, 15 operating rooms, a bone marrow transplant unit and hematology/oncology clinic, and a U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research Burn Center expansion.


http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2011/09/21/fort-sam-houston-to-unveil-completed.html

Abrego Development planning to tap into shale-driven housing demand

Date: Friday, September 23, 2011, 5:00am CDT

Abrego Development Co. LP will begin construction later this year on a master-planned project in the city of Kenedy.

Known as Kenedy Station, the development is slated to bring upwards of 250 homes to a 166-acre site in a city that has benefited from the Eagle Ford Shale oil-and-gas play in South Texas.

At build-out, Kenedy Station is slated to include a mix of single-family and multifamily development, retail, office/warehouse space and hotel.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/print-edition/2011/09/23/abrego-development-planning-to-tap.html

Ripkin Baseball eyes $20 million sports complex in San Antonio

Firm led by MLB Hall of Famer scouting area for site.

Date: Friday, September 23, 2011, 5:00am CDT

Ripken Baseball a Maryland firm founded by former Major League Baseball .. great Cal Ripken Jr., is looking to expand its footprint to the Southwest.

Officials with the company, which has developed a pair of baseball complexes on the East Coast, say Ripken Baseball wants to pursue a similar project in the San Antonio area and plans to search for a location over the next few months


http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/print-edition/2011/09/23/ripkin-baseball-eyes-20-million.html

Butt gives $20 million to S.A. Children's Museum

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1669012&width=628&height=471

San Antonio Children's Museum officials unveiled a plan Thursday to build a $45 million complex north of downtown on Broadway that will nearly double the space for exhibits and improve accessibility for visitors.

Almost half of the project cost will be covered by a $20 million personal donation from Charles Butt, the chairman and CEO of H-E-B.

The museum will launch a fundraising campaign to cover the balance, with the city expected to kick in $3 million from next's year's $596 million bond program for public improvements at the site.

It's the largest single donation Butt ever has made, museum officials said.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Butt-gives-20-million-to-SA-Children-s-Museum-2217927.php#ixzz1akB7Y6ca]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Butt-gives-20-million-to-S-A-Children-s-Museum-2217927.php#photo-1669012

I created this to show what's currently going on in the lower broadway area.


http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5743/satxlobro.png


It's mostly residential units being built, nearly 1,000 residential units in just four developments under construction now. This will be a tremendous boost to the urban core. The downtown core is just a mile south of the area shown.

The new children's museum is going to add to the growing "Museum Corridor" that is Broadway. There is also a rumored Modern Art Museum in the works for the Pearl.

The streetcar is going to allow for even more residential development as does most rail transit.

Now shown but currently under construction is the former Butter Krust building being turned into the new HQ for C.H. Guenther & Son.

Is the streetcar under construction?

Is the streetcar under construction?

Funding was secured on Thursday for the first line.

Construction should begin within the next year.

Main Event Entertainment Strikes It Big with Tenth Location Opening in San Antonio in Early 2012 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/main-event-entertainmenttm-strikes-it-big-with-tenth-location-opening-in-san-antonio-in-early-2012-2011-10-31)

DALLAS, Oct 31, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Main Event Entertainment, a leading family entertainment company based in Dallas, announces plans to open its tenth location in San Antonio, TX. The location will open in early 2012 in The Legacy Shopping Center off Loop 1604 and the US 281 Corridor. A community "Sneak Peek" event is scheduled for late February 2012, allowing local civic and business leaders a "first look" at the new facility, as well as a meet and greet with company leadership.

..

VOTE LEADS WAY FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT WEST OF KING WILLIAM DISTRICT (http://www.sametrodaily.com/2011/11/vote-leads-way-for-new-residential.html)
But several people supported plans to raze it and replace it with a mixed-use apartment building with arts and retail components. Some said the building, which sits at a 45-degree angle at Flores and Guenther streets, creates a hazardous blind traffic corner and is often tagged with graffiti.

Wednesday's action allows Landbridge to demolish the building, which sits in the middle of a much larger area to be developed. Thacker said it enables her partners to add infill development that will help renew the neighborhood west of the King William Historic District.

County cash routed to inner-city lightrail development (http://www.kens5.com/news/business/SA-streetcars-133653113.html)
The first tracks haven't even been laid, and VIA's starter streetcar system is already expanding.

Thursday, Bexar County officials announced they would invest $37-million to the project.

These funds, along with the City’s of San Antonio’s $40-million commitment and VIA’s $92-million investment, will allow VIA to build two starter downtown routes.

Along with the proposed north/east route, VIA now has the money go ahead with a west/south route.

VIA will break ground on the starter streetcars routes next year with the plan to have both routes in operation by 2016.

Downtown baseball stadium may no longer be a field of dreams (http://www.kens5.com/news/Downtown-baseball-stadium-may-no-longer-be-a-field-of-dreams-134720713.html)
SAN ANTONIO - A baseball stadium in downtown San Antonio may no longer be just a field of dreams.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said in recent months the idea of relocating Wolff Stadium, the home of the AA minor league team San Antonio Missions, has been gaining traction.

Wolff said there are at least two developers that are actively exploring the idea of building a stadium downtown.

While still on in an exploring stage, Wolff said the project would likely have to be a public - private partnership.

Under such a plan, taxpayers would pay for the land and infrastructure, and a private developer would build the stadium.

The stadium would probably be a part of a larger development project that would include downtown condos.


Rim companies exit bankruptcy (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Rim-companies-exit-bankruptcy-2299150.php)
The Georgia developer of The Rim has prevailed in his efforts to hold on to portions of the complex stuck in bankruptcy for the last two years.

A U.S. bankruptcy judge in Georgia last week approved a bankruptcy reorganization plan that gives developer Stanley Thomas three years to repay a loan used to build about 642,000 square feet of the approximately 2 million-square-foot development on the Northwest Side.

“We're just very thankful that we've gotten it all worked out and to emerge from bankruptcy, and to just go on and make the project very successful,” said the Newnan, Ga.-based Thomas.

Thomas said he is finalizing details on future construction at The Rim, including more than 700,000 square feet of shops, 200 to 300 apartments and an unspecified amount of office space. The Rim is expected to have more than 3 million square feet when completed.

A new luxe development near the Pearl (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/A-new-luxe-development-near-the-Pearl-2338679.php#photo-1851735)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1851735&width=628&height=471
The 1800 Broadway will be comprised of 230-unit luxury apartment homes located just north of downtown near the Pearl Brewery. The project is expected to be completed in March 2013.

A new development that offers luxury living is moving into an area along Broadway that has seen a boom in residential construction.

Work already has started on the 1800 Broadway, a multifamily project that will become part of the redevelopment and urbanization efforts along the northern stretch of the River Walk.

Situated at the corner of Broadway and East Grayson Street, the four-story complex, which boasts a modernized art deco design, will offer 230 luxury apartments, said W. Pretlow Riddick, principal and president of Criterion Development Partners, one of the firms developing the project.

The project is expected to be completed by summer 2013, and Riddick anticipates pre-leasing will start by mid-2012.

There will be one- and two-bedroom apartments, townhome units and live/work spaces. The one-bedroom units will range in size from about 550 square feet to 950 square feet. The two-bedroom apartments and townhomes will range from about 1,050 square feet to 2,200 square feet, and the live/work spaces will be about 1,000 square feet each.

New rendering of 1800 Broadway, currently under construction.

http://i.imgur.com/sdPBV.jpg

Four mixed-use developments currently under construction in the Lower Broadway/River North/Pearl Districts. All told, these four developments will add nearly 1,000 residential units to the urban core.

http://i.imgur.com/vD8Ry.jpg

Edit: Oops, Hannah beat me to it! lol

Toscana Ristorante close to opening (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2011/12/toscana-ristorante-close-to-opening/)
After a good-sized lull, the reconstruction of the former Le Midi space restarted with a bang weeks ago, and is pretty much complete. Moving in is Toscana Ristorante, 301 E. Houston St., a casual dining Italian restaurant scheduled to officially open next Friday, Dec.9. But don’t be surprised if there’s a soft opening before then.

The restaurant seats about 100 people.

Hernandez wouldn’t reveal the owner’s identity, but did they are Mexico-based, and that there are plans to open a Japanese steakhouse and Spanish restaurant in downtown soon.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas Announces Major Tower Attraction for 2012

Guests Will Experience Thrills at New Heights with SkyScreamer

Six Flags Fiesta Texas revealed plans today to give guests more to scream about in 2012 with the introduction of SkyScreamer. The newest sensation in tower rides, SkyScreamer joins the park’s already spectacular lineup of thrills as it takes guests skyward, high above the park. The addition of SkyScreamer continues Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ tradition of providing thrilling rides and award-winning live entertainment. A selection of new and returning show favorites will also be featured in 2012.

Towering 200-ft. above the ground, SkyScreamer will surpass the height of the park’s quarry walls. Thirty-two guests will board the ride and sit two across in open air swings as they climb to the top of the SkyScreamer tower while spinning round and round. At full swing, guests will soar in a 98-ft. circle at speeds of 40 mph with the rest of the park far below their dangling feet.

“SkyScreamer will provide a breathtaking, panoramic view towering above our unique park setting. From the vantage point of these thrilling, open-air swings, guests will have an unusual birds’ eye perspective of the San Antonio skyline as they soar to new heights,” stated Park President Martin Bozer.

By day, guests will have an aerial view for miles past the cliff walls and even into downtown. By night, SkyScreamer will provide a totally different experience. SkyScreamer will take flight in Spring 2012.


http://www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexas/news_skyscreamer2012.aspx

Cevallos Street Lofts look pretty much finished.
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http://livethecl.com/photos/

Forest Park Medical Center
http://www.forestparksanantonio.com/images/SanAntonioRendering.jpg
http://www.forestparksanantonio.com/

Forest Park Medical Center
http://www.forestparksanantonio.com/images/SanAntonioRendering.jpg
http://www.forestparksanantonio.com/

Casino or Hospital?

^^A hospital with the exterior appearance of a casino/hotel.

HDRC: River North hotel; Riverbend Garage’s new look (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2012/01/hdrc-river-north-hotel-riverbend-garages-new-look/)
Wyndham Garden River North, 103 W. Ninth Street
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2012/01/paradigm1.jpg
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2012/01/paradigm5.jpg
Paradigm Hotel SA Riverwalk is a 131-room Wyndham Garden River North on the northwest bank of the Museum Reach portion of the River Walk. In November, the project was presented to the HDRC, but it was sent back citing concerns over its “architectural style.”

Paradigm has built 12 hotels citywide, but this is its first in downtown S.A. In 2007, it purchased the land along the Museum Reach portion of the River Walk — also within the River North stretch envisioned for redevelopment — building a hotel.

Sanford said the Wyndham Garden is a project which exceeds $10 million. If Paradigm clears the HDRC hurdle today, developers begin the construction permitting process, and hope to break ground in March. If so, the goal would be to have the hotel built in 12 months.

The mere mention of another hotel on the River Walk, especially along the Museum Reach which was constructed as a destination for locals, is sure to draw the ire of many locals who pay attention to these things.

Sanford defended his project citing the number of residential projects already built or underway: 1221 Broadway, the Pearl’s Can Plant Apartments, The Mosaic and 1800 Broadway. The Wyndham Garden, Sanford says, will provide balance to the Museum Reach.

Sanford says he is planning a three-story, 22,000-square-foot office building in the vicinity of the Wyndham Garden, and that he is in the very preliminary stages in a partnership with other developments.

Blue Star to make room for retail (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Blue-Star-to-make-room-for-retail-2737881.php)

For the past 25 years, the Blue Star Arts Complex has been a haven for the arts. Now its owner is looking to make room for more retail.

James Lifshutz, the property's owner, said that he's looking to increase foot traffic at the complex by adding retail in space along South Alamo Street.

Currently, he's in talks with gallery owners to find a way to reconfigure and update the buildings to make space for new retail tenants.

“We're looking to reconfigure the frontage along Alamo Street to create better retail and several of the artist-run galleries will be affected. So we're working with them to try and figure out a way to keep them there. I'm hopeful and expectant that we'll be able to keep them there. Not in their existing spaces, but in reconfigured space.”

The plan is in preliminary stages, but Lifshutz said he hopes to have new tenants in place by midyear. The property owner already has talked to several interested parties that could bring a neighborhood grocery market, coffee shop, bakery and an icehouse with a music venue. Some of the prospective tenants Lifshutz has spoken to also have existing businesses locally and in Austin, he said.

“This is not Payless Shoes. This will be retail that enhances and improves the life of an arts community,” Lifshutz said.

No leases have been signed for any of the space that's expected to be reconfigured. A lease was signed for a new bar, but it's located toward the middle of the complex. Bar 1919 will have the feel of an upscale speakeasy that's expected to open in late March, said Jeremy Jessop, the asset manager for the complex.

While everything is still in the planning stages, Jessop did say they will look to make updates such as adding central air and heat and new walkways to make the area more pedestrian friendly. Also, the galleries could have glass fronts that would allow visitors to enjoy the art without the galleries being open.

Blue Star's current footprint is about 160,000 square feet of art, retail and residential space. The cost for retail space there is about $15 per square foot, Jessop said. With the anticipated changes Lifshutz also said he plans to raise rents there.

Lifshutz added that he plans to secure financing to start construction on the second phase of Blue Star at the old Big Tex property by the end of this year.

“The art is the soul of the complex. With the improved retail, it really fulfills and brings to full blossom the original intent of Blue Star. It was never intended to just be a place where people make, look at, teach, buy and sell art. It was always intended to be all those things along with a vibrant 30-day a month life to it.”

Grocery store eyed for Lavaca neighborhood (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2012/01/grocery-store-eyed-for-lavaca-neighborhood/)

A grocery store and additional housing are being envisioned for the area of the Lavaca neighborhood, just east of downtown, known as Victoria Commons. Land owner San Antonio Housing Authority has gathered input from nearby residents, and was planning to complete a master plan by this month. But SAHA is close to hiring L.A./St. Louis-based McCormack Baron Salazar as the project’s master developer, and therefore is giving the firm an opportunity to weigh in on the master plan before proceeding to the SAHA board and City Council for approval.

The plan is to compliment those buildings, as well as the rest of the Lavaca neighborhood, with mix-use development and additional housing.

The property just south of Chavez, which straddles Labor Street, is where mixed-use projects would go. To make this happen, Victoria Park, southwest of Chavez and Labor, would move to SAHA-owned land a few blocks south of its current location, essentially resulting in a land swap between SAHA and the city.

The grocery store idea came from meetings with Lavaca residents. But, McMurray said, if there are plans for a grocery store to be built elsewhere in the area, SAHA won’t interfere with those plans.

“If some other grocer was going to provide one downtown, we certainly wouldn’t compete with that,” McMurray said. “But, for sure, what we are planning is both residential and commercial.”

McMurray could not give a timetable for when the master plan would reach the SAHA board and, ultimately, City Council. But he did say he hopes the first phase of the Victoria Commons plan breaks ground this year.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377421_283496641694415_258719814172098_939640_2049254029_n.jpg

Here are some concepts on their facebook page. :cheers:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389968_283497171694362_258719814172098_939645_367085813_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/389968_283497175027695_258719814172098_939646_1247852599_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.283496105027802.74615.258719814172098&type=3

Santikos to construct eighth S.A. theater

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/10/27/10/2191908/5/628x471.jpg

http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/10/27/10/2191909/7/628x471.jpg

By Valentino Lucio Updated 09:03 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2012

For some moviegoers, the coming attractions are something to look forward to. Well, this coming attraction isn't a new movie but a new movie theater.

San Antonio-based Santikos Theatres has plans to build its eighth theater in the Alamo City on 26 acres at Potranco Road and Loop 1604 on the city's far West Side. Santikos expects to break ground on the 16-screen Granada Theater on May 1 and expects to complete it by late December, said Chris Taylor, the company's director of operations.

The cost of the project was not released.

The nearly 65,000-square-foot cinema also will have a retail component. The company hasn't nailed down a tenant yet, but some of its other theaters include an ice cream shop, sushi bar and dance academy, Taylor said.

The theater's main lobby will have a cafe, entertainment area with video games and areas for birthday parties and special events.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Santikos-to-construct-eighth-S-A-theater-2755492.php

^^A hospital with the exterior appearance of a casino/hotel.

Come in and gamble away your health! Sounds like something the Indians would do in New Mexico or Oklahoma.

Here are some concepts on their facebook page. :cheers:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389968_283497171694362_258719814172098_939645_367085813_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/389968_283497175027695_258719814172098_939646_1247852599_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.283496105027802.74615.258719814172098&type=3

I like this.:cheers:

Hotel Eilan

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/387513_280317792015931_193076157406762_775100_486409372_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/381154_292890344092009_193076157406762_814315_1030303371_n.jpg

The Residence of Eilan

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/303006_266683383379372_193076157406762_744499_436997925_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/310242_266685866712457_193076157406762_744536_248102606_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/382235_266686980045679_193076157406762_744556_601401362_n.jpg

The Trolley

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/420726_313080135406363_193076157406762_860804_2028850887_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/EilanSanAntonio

Here more about Eilan.

http://www.ksat.com/Sustenio-opens-at-SA-resort-hotel/-/478556/8588444/-/14090acz/-/index.html

Sustenio is worth checking out. :-)

VIA receives funds for Ellis Alley restoration (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2012/02/via-receives-funds-for-ellis-alley-restoration/)
VIA Metropolitan Transit has finally secured the funding to completely restore the Ellis Alley Enclave on the near eastside. Located in the 200 block of Chestnut Street, the complex is comprised of six structures in the shadow of the Vidorra condo tower, and is all that remains from the first settlement by African American freedmen in San Antonio.

VIA is slated to receive a city loan and a contribution from the Inner City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #11 totaling $560,000, and is contributing $190,000 of its own money.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2012/02/ellis3.jpg
The San Antonio Conservation Society has agreed to manage the rehabilitation of the three buildings. Once complete, the buildings will be handed back to VIA for leasing.


Apartment construction boom under way in San Antonio
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Apartment-construction-boom-under-way-in-San-3157985.php)

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/10/56/74/2289452/3/628x471.jpg
The Can Plant is under construction at the Pearl Brewery, and is among the projects that should add more than 960 units near downtown in 2012. Rendering courtesy of Embrey Partners Ltd. Photo: COURTESY ILLUSTRATION / Rendering courtesy of Embrey Partners Ltd.

Rents are up, apartments are full, and developers are responding.

More than 4,000 new apartment units should hit the market in the San Antonio area this year, many of them with upscale amenities, as developers and investors respond to demographic trends and the difficulty that would-be first-time homebuyers are having qualifying for a mortgage loan.

Apartment construction slowed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. But the research firm Austin Investor Interests expects, conservatively, 10,000 new units will open in the San Antonio area in the next two years.

“The market weathered that financial storm pretty well,” said Janine Claycomb, research director of the San Antonio division of Austin Investor Interests. “We're in a good place.”

In the fourth quarter of 2011, more than 2,400 new apartment units started the permitting process, the highest quarterly number since the early 1980s.

The new projects are being added largely to the North and Northwest sides of the city, as well as to near-downtown locations such as the Broadway corridor.

HDRC: Hotel planned for former Ace Mart building (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2012/02/hdrc-hotel-planned-for-former-ace-mart-building/)

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2012/02/acemart1.jpg
Agenda item No. 17 shows plans to convert the former Ace Mart building, 411 S. Flores St., into a hotel by something called Ace Flores, LLC. This is a subsidiary of Greenbelt, Md.-based Baywood Hotels, which recently rehabilitated the South Texas Building, 603 Navarro St., into the Home2 Suites by Hilton, and the Neisner building, 409 E. Houston St., into the TownePlace Suites. The company’s San Antonio operations are located at 7300 Blanco Road.



Bond election to be called; More River Walk projects; Pearl updates; and more at this week’s public meetings (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2012/02/bond-election-to-be-called-more-river-walk-projects-pearl-updates-and-more-at-this-weeks-public-meetings/)
Condo project

This rezoning case that council will consider on Thursday has to do with a new condominium project just north of downtown at 1530-1542 N. Alamo St. The land is owned by real estate investor Mitch McManus who rehabilitated the building at 207 Broadway. Click here for more information.

Wyndham Garden River North
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/files/2012/02/garden.jpg
Developer Timothy K. Sanford is requesting final approval for his Wyndham Garden River North, 103 W. 9th St., the first new hotel on the Museum Reach of the River Walk. A few concerns aside, the HDRC is likely to grant final approval. Click here for details.

Check out Eilan's updated website.
http://eilan.com/

TEXAS SUB FORUM IS OPEN! LETS MOVE THIS TO THE NEW HOME!

Can't wait for more development in River North.

Closure request suggests River North development (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2012/02/closure-request-suggests-river-north-development/)
A request to close a 16-foot-wide right of way south of 12th Street and the 1221 Broadway apartment complex, between Avenue A and Avenue B, lands on the Planning Commission agenda Wednesday. A.A. Seeligson, Jr. River North Ltd., a partnership which includes Hixon Properties Inc., is petitioning the city to gain ownership for “potential future development,” according to the agenda.

“We own some property in that area,” said John Beauchamp, with Hixon. “Before we get too deep in the planning, we need to know what property we own. We are just trying to own the property to allow us to develop something.”

Beauchamp said it’s too early to talk about plans.

The Seeligson partnership owns 1.4755 acres of land around the alley way, and 1.141 acres of land just west of 1221 Broadway, according to public records. Both clusters of land also abut the Museum Reach segment of the River Walk.