Work begins at PGA site
Web Posted: 06/01/2007 10:31 PM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business...t.2d9bdee.html
Melissa S. Monroe
Express-News Business Writer
A month before a deadline to begin construction on the Cibolo Canyons PGA Tour golf resort, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Friday that work was under way.
He made the announcement at the northern Bexar County construction site, with Caterpillar tractors in the background near freshly turned dirt. While "it's been a rocky road," he said, "today you can see construction being done."
The work — on the underground sewage system — actually was not visible from the news conference because some blasting was taking place near the work site. The sewage work began a little more than a week ago, and construction on the golf courses will begin later this month or early in July.
"This is going to be a top environmental project that you won't see anywhere in the state of Texas," Wolff said at a media conference at the Cibolo Canyons construction site. "It's on schedule, and it's meeting the requirements for the nonannexation agreement."
Wolff worked with San Antonio-area legislators to push the deal through.
A PGA Tour representative has said the project will generate more than 2,000 permanent jobs, 5,000 construction jobs and more than $1 billion in tax revenues during the next 25 years.
The 29-year nonannexation agreement, which allows the operator of the resort to use its own tax proceeds to fund improvements on the property, would have expired next month if construction had not started by July 1. That deadline was approved in October, when the City Council approved a six-month extension of the construction date.
The agreement also stated that project developers must meet certain construction deadlines, wage guarantees and environmental safeguards. Developers also were given 18 months to complete construction after the July 1 start date.
Throughout the eight-year fight to build the resort, opponents have expressed concerns that the golf courses would endanger San Antonio's water source since they're partly over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and would use Edwards water.
"On behalf of Save Our Aquifer, it's a sad day for democracy and the people of San Antonio for generations to come, especially at a time when water is precious around world," said Amy Kastely, a pro bono attorney representing Save Our Aquifer. "San Antonio will be known as a city willing to pollute one of the world's largest aquifers merely to have a playground for the rich."
Even though the city has been pressing for work to go forward, issues with the Marriott parent company have delayed developer Forestar Real Estate, formerly Lumbermen's Investment Corp., said John Pierret, executive vice president of Forestar development.
Marriott had faced some setbacks because of high oil prices following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Pierret said. The company also wanted to have full construction drawings done of the 1,000-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa before work began.
The hotel originally was planned with 800 rooms. The plans were expanded last year.
Pierret said he had hoped work would start last year. Marriott chose not to comment at Friday's news conference and funneled media questions through Pierret.
The JW Marriott, Marriott's high-end brand, will be one of the largest hotels in San Antonio when completed in January 2010. It will feature 138,000 square feet of meeting space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and a 26,000-square-foot spa. The grounds of the hotel will mirror the natural Hill Country landscape to provide a habitat for deer, birds and other wildlife.
Along with the hotel, two 18-hole courses also will be completed by 2010 to be a part of the Tournament Players Clubs network that hosts many PGA Tours. Golf industry legends Pete Dye and Greg Norman will design the courses.
In contrast to the hotel, the residential portion of the project has been going full speed ahead with about 500 of the 1,800 lots sold to home developers.
The Cibolo Canyons residential community will have homes ranging from the $200,000s to the million-dollar mark. An amenity center, currently under construction, will include a lazy river, lap pool, soccer field and community meeting areas.
Construction also is under way for Cibolo Canyons Parkway to Evans Road, which is expected to be completed this fall.
Pierret said it has taken him almost eight years to see this project come to life, and Wolff added that it has been Pierret's tenacity that has seen it come this far.
"With San Antonio's climate and terrain, there's no reason why San Antonio shouldn't be a great golf destination," Wolff said.
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