San Antonio Pursues New Baseball Stadium with Land Deal Proposal

San Antonio Eyes New Baseball Stadium with Potential Land Deal

In the vibrant city of San Antonio, excitement is building around a new home for the San Antonio Missions baseball team. The team’s ownership group has been hard at work, and the final piece of land they’re after is a little parking lot that belongs to the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). Located near the northern end of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park, this parking lot is seen as crucial for the proposed downtown stadium.

Understanding the Plans

The coveted 2.3-acre parking lot sits snugly at the crossroads of Camaron Street, North Flores Street, West Martin Street, and Kingsbury Street. It’s a central spot, surrounded by SAISD’s headquarters and several educational institutions including Fox Tech High School, CAST Tech, and Advanced Learning Academy.

For the past couple of years, the development firm Weston Urban has been eyeing this property. Co-founders Randy Smith and Graham Weston are also part of the Missions’ ownership group, and they see this land as the missing puzzle piece in their plans to establish a thriving new stadium. Much of the surrounding land is already under their control, having been purchased or leased as part of the larger project.

A Twisted Path to Acquisition

Interestingly, this little piece of land was once home to the Fox Tech baseball field before it transitioned into a parking lot. Last year, Weston Urban proposed trading 2.2 acres of land they owned in exchange for the parking lot, but that swap fell through. Attempts have continued this year, although the district deemed the offers insufficient for their requirements.

One twist in this tale is that selling to a single buyer isn’t straightforward for SAISD. They have to conduct an open advertisement process that could pose challenges and create uncertainty. To navigate around this, Bexar County stepped in to suggest a solution that would benefit both the county and the school district.

County’s Proposal and Financial Aspects

County officials are exploring options to purchase the parking lot for the Missions and are even considering building a parking garage to help out SAISD. This proposed garage would have around 250 spaces and could cost an estimated $5 million. What’s even better? The county would lease this garage back to the district for free, making it a win-win for both parties.

County Manager David Smith mentioned that the district could keep the garage at the end of the lease period. With the city handling the financial maneuvering here, the county might also get funding through tax and revenue bonds or other sources. Meanwhile, they’re also in talks to adjust terms on an existing parking garage lease to further ease the district’s financial strain.

Community Reactions and Financial Projections

As excitement grows, there are some concerns. A recent study revealed that SAISD might not benefit as much from the stadium deal as initially thought. While there’s major potential for tax revenues from the proposed development estimated around $575 million, SAISD’s expected share stands at a meager $29,325 over the next five years, far below previous estimates. Still, the district could see around $2.1 million in debt payments that may help improve their financial health.

Next Steps

The county’s move to acquire the parking lot and the corresponding negotiations will need the green light from both the school board and county commissioners. It’s a delicate balance of community needs and aspirations for a new ballpark, and everyone is curious to see how it will unfold.

In summary, as San Antonio aims for a new chapter in its baseball history, all eyes are on the county’s negotiations and community feedback. With a touch of collaboration and creativity, the city could soon welcome a new stadium that will bring joy and excitement for years to come!