UTSA downtown expansion now hinges on hunt for more funding
By W. Scott Bailey – Senior Reporter, San Antonio Business Journal
Feb 3, 2020, 12:06pm CST
University of Texas at San Antonio president Taylor Eighmy will have to make another pitch to state officials for funding to support his vision for the school's downtown campus expansion.
After securing land from the city of San Antonio east of Interstate 35, the priority now for UTSA is to close on roughly two acres owned by Bexar County tucked between the former city lots.
“We want to buy that property,” Eighmy said.
The property is between Dolorosa and Nueva streets. An aging jail sits on part of the acreage, which Bexar County Commissioners agreed on Jan. 28 to sell to UTSA for $5.7 million. The plan is to build a 250,000-square-foot structure on the county site that would serve as a new home for UTSA’s College of Business, according to Eighmy. UTSA requested $126 million to cover design and construction costs for the project, but the Texas Legislature did not act on the request during its last session.
University officials will try and make their case for funding during the 2021 legislative session, which means UTSA may have to make a deal for the property before securing the larger funding.
Separately, UTSA is advancing plans to develop the two city parcels, and work on that land will likely kickstart the downtown expansion.
“We expect the first brick and mortar project to be our School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration Center,” Eighmy said.
That building is earmarked for the former city lot east of the county property.
“We have (a request for qualifications) on the street right now to get us closer to selecting the design build team for the project,” Eighmy said. “We expect occupancy of this building in late 2022.”
Roughly 16 months ago, UTSA was preparing to recruit developers interested in submitting proposals for its two-acre site near Cattleman Square west of Interstate 35. At the time, Eighmy envisioned a multistory tower that would house a mix of residential, academic and retail space.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff believes a land deal with UTSA will have a far-reaching impact, replacing an eyesore with new construction that might entice more development.
“It’s critical we get the deal done. I think we will,” he said. “That whole area will take on a new look.”