Goodwill San Antonio Purchases Downtown Building to Enhance Training Opportunities
San Antonio – In a bold move amid a trend of companies leaving downtown areas in favor of suburbs, Goodwill San Antonio has purchased a largely vacant downtown building with plans to broaden its training possibilities.
A Step Forward for Workforce Development
The non-profit organization has acquired Rosa Verde Towers, previously a medical office building located at 343 W. Houston St., following an evaluation of various sites within and around the city center. President and CEO of Goodwill San Antonio, Carlos Contreras, asserts that the new acquisition is a decisive investment in not only widening workforce training but also revitalizing downtown San Antonio. “Goodwill coming in is going to be able to really make an investment not only in expanding workforce training, but make an investment in the heart of downtown and activate a building that otherwise could have been sitting vacant for quite some time,” he stated.
Advantages of the Rosa Verde Towers Acquisition
The 141,000-square-foot Rosa Verde Towers building boasts an advantageous location, being just a block away from Goodwill’s offices, store and its biggest training facility. The building’s accessibility via public transportation is also a key factor for those attending its training programs. Furthermore, the compelling price of less than $40 per square foot made the purchase irresistible, according to Contreras.
Increasing Training Programs
Goodwill plans to significantly expand its training programs now that it has increased its operational footprint. Currently, the organization provides training for new commercial truck drivers, pharmacy technicians, healthcare aids, and logistics, warehousing, and construction workers. It also hosts job fairs with local employers.
Future Plans
In the near future, Rosa Verde Towers will host Goodwill’s nursing training, administrative offices, and an advanced manufacturing program. This program is designed to meet the growing demand for employees at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc., Navistar International Corp., JCB, and other companies with plants in the area. According to Contreras, there has been a steady increase in people seeking training and employment through Goodwill.
The cost of renovating the building is yet to be determined, but Contreras envisions rolling out a campaign to raise funds for this purpose. Work on the building will be done in phases, leading to some uncertainty as to when Goodwill will be able to move in fully.
A Bright Future for Downtown
Contreras remains optimistic about downtown San Antonio, despite the recent inclination of businesses to downsize or move out to the suburbs. He pointed out that several real estate development projects, affordable housing initiatives, and the move by the University of Texas to draw more students to the area are significant signals of growth. “I think the future is bright for downtown,” Contreras said.
