SAN ANTONIO | Suburban and Metro Development Thread

[Trae]

Of course it isn't. It is just a lot more expensive when you don't have federal funding, and why would a transit agency build a light rail line if their LRT (in SA's case BRT) doesn't have high ridership itself?

[sirkingwilliam]

Originally Posted by Trae

Of course it isn't. It is just a lot more expensive when you don't have federal funding, and why would a transit agency build a light rail line if their LRT (in SA's case BRT) doesn't have high ridership itself?

Because they're thinking long term. They're seeing that it makes sense to implement light rail as traffic congestion increases. Btw, SA's yet-to-be-constructed BRT doesn't have high ridership? I'd think so, seeing how it has yet to be constructed.

[Trae]

I'm not saying it doesn't have high ridership (well, it doesn't since it isn't even constructed yet), but just saying a "what if" it doesn't have high ridership. And about that BRT stuff. Yeah it is more financially feasible, but there is always going to be a rail-bias. Actually, BRT may not be financially feasible. METRO (Houston) was going to have BRT for four lines, but they found that putting in LRT tracks, then covering them up and putting a bus in its own lane would cost about the same as just having the LRT tracks in there in the first place (the reason why METRO has completely scrapped BRT plans for the core lines, only the suburban lines will have BRT/Signature Bus).

[sirkingwilliam]

Like I said, plans are to eventually transition the BRT lines into LRT lines.

[Trae]

^^Which is more expensive, like I said (depending on how the bus lane is built).

[sirkingwilliam]

I drove by the Quarry tonight and the two buildings under construction are quite impressive.

[sirkingwilliam]

I found a (small) rendering of the 1.1 million square foot Stevens Ranch Town Center to be built in far west Bexar county.

[Schertz1]

JW Marriott

Top CEOs and Golf Legends Descend on San Antonio for Milestone Announcement
Thursday October 18, 6:27 pm ET
Groundbreaking Celebrated for Future JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa


SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a celebration as grand as Texas itself, top CEOs from across the nation gathered in San Antonio to celebrate the official groundbreaking for the future JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.
Source: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa


· Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff greets Marriott CEO Bill Marriott at the groundbreaking celebration for the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo: Business Wire). View Multimedia Gallery




This momentous event drew attendance and special remarks from partners in the resort’s development including Marriott CEO Bill Marriott, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, Temple-Inland CEO and Chairman Kenny Jastrow, Global-Miller CEO Jim Miller and Cathy Coughlin, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President and Global Marketing Officer. Also taking part were renowned golf course architect Pete Dye and Champions Tour player Bruce Lietzke, who are teaming up on the design of one of the two golf courses at TPC San Antonio, as well as local elected officials and community leaders, including Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.

“This is an exciting project unlike anything in San Antonio or the rest of the country. It is unique, distinct and really positions San Antonio as a major golf destination,” said Judge Wolff.

The event’s more than 250 guests were treated to breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country from the Resort’s hilltop perch and exclusive previews of the numerous features and amenities it will offer upon its opening in March 2010. The 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa represents the latest evolution of JW’s collection of distinctive hotels and will be home to two 18-hole Tournament Players Club (TPC) golf courses.

“We love San Antonio,” said Marriott CEO Bill Marriott. “We began our commitment here 30 years ago with the Riverwalk Marriott, and about a decade later added our Rivercenter Hotel. And today we mark the next era for Marriott in San Antonio with this spectacular JW Resort.”

The Resort’s 36 holes of TPC championship golf is one of the most highly anticipated among golf resorts with its challenging courses and scenic views.

The courses are being designed by two of the most respected forces in the golf industry, Dye and Greg Norman. Tour professionals Sergio Garcia and Lietzke are serving as Player Consultants for TPC San Antonio. Golf Course Properties, Inc., a subsidiary of PGA TOUR, will manage the courses.

“San Antonio obviously is very special to the PGA TOUR with two long-running tournaments that are sponsored by two exceptional local companies in the Valero Texas Open on the PGA TOUR and the AT&T Championship on the Champions Tour,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “We’re extremely pleased to further our ties to the area through TPC San Antonio, which as part of the JW Marriott complex will provide a world-class golf experience through two outstanding golf courses.”

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and TPC San Antonio are part of a larger master-planned development known as Cibolo Canyons. Developed by Forestar Real Estate Group, a Temple-Inland company, Cibolo Canyons is composed of 2,800 acres of stunning landscape and includes a master-planned community distinguished by rustic heritage and sophisticated style.

“Today, we celebrate the groundbreaking of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa and two new PGA TOUR golf courses that together form the new ‘Brightest Star in Texas.’ Marriott, the leader in hospitality, and the PGA TOUR, the leader in golf, have come together in Cibolo Canyons to create among one of the world’s premier golf resorts,” said Temple-Inland CEO and Chairman Kenny Jastrow. “Congratulations to government, community, and business leaders in San Antonio for your vision and support to make San Antonio the center of golf and America’s greatest destination city.”

Located just 20 minutes from the San Antonio International Airport, Cibolo Canyons and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa offer the beauty of the Texas Hill Country combined with nearby city and resort luxury conveniences. The Resort’s amenities and features will include:

World Class Accommodations Blended with Texas Hospitality

The Resort’s 1,002-rooms, including 85 suites, will reflect the comfortable style and hospitality of the Texas Hill Country. The spacious rooms will feature custom designed furniture and finishes that make use of hand-tooled leather, copper and ironwork used throughout the property. Spacious bathrooms will feature the space and serenity that visitors expect from a luxury resort experience.

Unmatched Convention and Meeting Facilities

With over 140,000 square feet of customizable indoor space, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa will offer the most expansive event and convention space in the region. The Resort will have a host of options available to accommodate groups both large and small, including:


40,000 square foot Grand Ballroom
40,000 square foot Exhibit Hall
21,000 square foot Junior Ballroom
10,000+ square foot Pre-Function Space
19 Meeting Breakout Rooms
3 distinctive outdoor venues, ideal for weddings and receptions
Relaxation and Rejuvenation

The Resort’s 26,000 square-foot spa will offer 30 treatment rooms, including two couple’s treatment suites with fireplaces. Two outdoor private treatment rooms will also be available. A complete fitness center and studio will feature the latest in cardio-training equipment, free weights, and stationary weight training equipment as well as yoga and other fitness classes. Between treatments, guests will enjoy the peaceful serenity of the private, lagoon-like pool, healthy refreshments at the spa’s café or shop at the spa’s boutique.

Exhilarating Water Features for the Entire Family

The ultimate in outdoor fun and relaxation combines a 650-foot rapid river ride, slides, an 1100 foot long lazy river with children’s pools, a serene adult pool, hot and cold plunge pools, whirlpools, and an expansive activity pool.

Culinary Delights, Boutique Shopping and Sports – Texas Style

Resort guests will find culinary delights and boutique shopping awaiting them at every corner. The Resort’s three-meals-a-day restaurant will serve authentic Texas cuisine that captures the unique flavors of the Texas Hill Country. Guests will also enjoy shopping in the area’s high-end boutiques and shops. There’s nothing bigger in Texas than the love of sports and guests can enjoy the Resort’s media rich sports bar that puts them right in the middle of the action with wall-to-wall multi-media screens featuring a variety of sport channels.

Additional information: www.jwsanantonio.com

The JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts collection of hotels incorporate dramatic, luxurious interiors with warm, gracious service. Spacious, uncluttered rooms, fine restaurants serving healthy cuisine, and well-equipped fitness centers allow the JW Marriott guest to minimize stress and maintain their personal well-being on the road.

The JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts Collection has doubled in size over the past three years, growing in gateway cities, established business destinations and emerging luxury and resort markets worldwide. JW hotels can be found across the U.S., as well as in China, Ecuador, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, the United Arab Emerites, Bangkok, Peru, India, Egypt, Romania, Italy and Venezuela.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR - News) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,900 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

TPC NETWORK-Licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 17 premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties designed by some of golf’s most elite architects. Nine of the clubs are operated by affiliates of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, Inc. Each TPC has hosted or has been designed to host TOUR-sponsored golf tournaments. Since the TPC Sawgrass first opened its world renowned Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provided recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world’s best golfers compete.

Distinctive in character but consistent in quality, TPCs are known for their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. To date, all 17 TPCs are certified as Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Systems. The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR’s giving back mission through support of charitable and community-based programs. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5522241



Contact:
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Anamaria Suescun-Fast or Marcie Casas, 210-223-2772

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

[alexjon]

The Fred road corridor is immense as far as ridership goes-- I think LRT would work very well there.

I know there have been times when I've seen 3 or 4 buses within 2 blocks of eachother, all full. And during the weekday, the buses are almost always full from start of the day to end of day.

What is the daily ridership on the fred road corridor? Anyone have those figures? I mean everything from the 92 to the Vance Jackson bus.

[sirkingwilliam]

I have yet to find that information Alex.

[sirkingwilliam]

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Screencaps

[satxgreen]

[M1EK]

Well, good to know San Antonio has left the 1980s and is now proudly in the 1990s with these mixed-use lifestyle centers. Maybe by 2017, they'll be building VMU to the actual street instead of to an internal parking system.

[sirkingwilliam]

The small foot print of land that this is being built and with everything they're putting in it only allow for parking structures for residents and shoppers (there's also the parking spaces in front of the stores) which is why they are building internal 4-story parking garages. There's nothing "90's" about that design.

[alexjon]

It's very Seattle

[jaga185]

I like it, and can't wait until it's done. It's the final piece of the puzzle for the Quarry. I probably won't ever live or shop there, but still it looks cool.

[M1EK]

Originally Posted by sirkingwilliam

The small foot print of land that this is being built and with everything they're putting in it only allow for parking structures for residents and shoppers (there's also the parking spaces in front of the stores) which is why they are building internal 4-story parking garages. There's nothing "90's" about that design.

It's exactly 90s - it's the standard power / lifestyle center design (focused inwards, on a too-wide internal street which is really nothing more than a parking aisle, rather than outwards on the public roadway). The last gasp of suburban strip design by those who finally learned better through trial-and-error, except SA didn't get the message.

Maybe the picture's just bad, but this sure as heck looks like one of those typical late 1990s suburban attempts to build a "town center" - which means, drive inside, park, and walk around while dodging other people trying to park. If you're going to build around an internal circulator roadway rather than out to the public street, you could at least build to a narrow one, like the Domain did in Austin, where you still get something approaching an urban feel.

[sirkingwilliam]

Wow, I've never seem someone nit pick over the smallest things. You are, simply put, grasping.

[sirkingwilliam]

Just to reiterate what I said before, this is a small piece of land they're building all this on, they were quite limited in how they could design with all the residential and office being put in. For 12 acres, they go a pretty damn good job accomplishing something. Since you seem to categorize this design as 90's well, late 90's, could you provide some examples of developments built in the 90's with this type of layout.

[verbl]

Originally Posted by M1EK

It's exactly 90s - it's the standard power / lifestyle center design (focused inwards, on a too-wide internal street which is really nothing more than a parking aisle, rather than outwards on the public roadway). The last gasp of suburban strip design by those who finally learned better through trial-and-error, except SA didn't get the message.

Maybe the picture's just bad, but this sure as heck looks like one of those typical late 1990s suburban attempts to build a "town center" - which means, drive inside, park, and walk around while dodging other people trying to park. If you're going to build around an internal circulator roadway rather than out to the public street, you could at least build to a narrow one, like the Domain did in Austin, where you still get something approaching an urban feel.

Wow did SA touch you as a child? why do you hate so much?