SAN ANTONIO | Suburban and Metro Development Thread

[kingkirbythe....]

533 acres of pristine riverfront land in Hays County conserved for new preserve, park

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Boy-Scout-nature-area-in-Hays-County-17192770.php

Just north of Canyon Lake, through sprawling hills, limestone bluffs and pristine springs, El Rancho Cima was a couple-thousand-acre spot just for Boy Scouts. Troops of junior wilderness rangers would climb through obstacle courses, build fires by themselves, learn to track paw prints in the dirt and camp by the meandering Blanco River.

Since the 1950s, the area has been untouched by development. But in 2018, the Houston chapter of the Boy Scouts put the entire 2,500 acres on the market — leaving the historic area up for grabs and potential housing.

In an effort to preserve El Rancho Cima’s past and conserve its ecosystem in perpetuity, Hays County officials and The Nature Conservancy of Texas partnered to buy roughly 533 acres of the property near the Blanco River waterfront.

A conservation easement granted to the conservancy by the county in early May for $13 million will protect a large portion of the river from potential pollution; preserve the habitat for endangered species, such as the golden-cheeked warbler; and eventually facilitate opening the property as a public park.

“Hays County and The Nature Conservancy have long recognized that the Blanco River is a key conservation priority, protecting as much as possible of the Blanco River to keep it pristine like it is now,” said Jeff Francell, associate director of land protection for The Nature Conservancy. “This one piece of property will protect more than a mile on both sides of the river and save it for the future.”

[JACKinBeantown]

^^ Some good news came out of Texas yesterday.

[Keegan-B-SATX]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

^^ Some good news came out of Texas yesterday.

If you're referring to what I think you're referring to. Are you serious?? Show some respect.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

533 acres of pristine riverfront land in Hays County conserved for new preserve, park

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Boy-Scout-nature-area-in-Hays-County-17192770.php

Just north of Canyon Lake, through sprawling hills, limestone bluffs and pristine springs, El Rancho Cima was a couple-thousand-acre spot just for Boy Scouts. Troops of junior wilderness rangers would climb through obstacle courses, build fires by themselves, learn to track paw prints in the dirt and camp by the meandering Blanco River.

Since the 1950s, the area has been untouched by development. But in 2018, the Houston chapter of the Boy Scouts put the entire 2,500 acres on the market — leaving the historic area up for grabs and potential housing.

In an effort to preserve El Rancho Cima’s past and conserve its ecosystem in perpetuity, Hays County officials and The Nature Conservancy of Texas partnered to buy roughly 533 acres of the property near the Blanco River waterfront.

A conservation easement granted to the conservancy by the county in early May for $13 million will protect a large portion of the river from potential pollution; preserve the habitat for endangered species, such as the golden-cheeked warbler; and eventually facilitate opening the property as a public park.

“Hays County and The Nature Conservancy have long recognized that the Blanco River is a key conservation priority, protecting as much as possible of the Blanco River to keep it pristine like it is now,” said Jeff Francell, associate director of land protection for The Nature Conservancy. “This one piece of property will protect more than a mile on both sides of the river and save it for the future.”

You do realize Hays county is in Austin's metro area?!?

[JACKinBeantown]

^^ Thanks.

[kingkirbythe....]

Rental home operator Tricon Residential plans 180-home community in fast-growing New Braunfels

https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/New-Braunfels-rental-homes-Tricon-17201890.php

One of the largest rental home operators in North America is expanding in Texas with a rental community in fast-growing New Braunfels.

Toronto-based Tricon Residential is working with HHS Residential, part of Highland Homes, to build 180 single-family rental homes near The Barndominium venue off Texas 46.

Known as Tricon Trail Creek, the community will include three- and four-bedroom homes with two-car garages, stainless steel appliances and smart home technology as well as trails, a dog park, barbecue grills and a playground.

...

Rent will be about $2,250 a month.

Tricon owns and operates about 37,000 single-family rental homes and apartments in the U.S. and Canada.

The company is focusing on the Sun Belt. The New Braunfels project is the third of its 13 planned rental home communities in Texas, which include three in the San Antonio area, three in the Houston area, two in the Austin area and five in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Rental home operator Tricon Residential plans 180-home community in fast-growing New Braunfels

https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/New-Braunfels-rental-homes-Tricon-17201890.php

One of the largest rental home operators in North America is expanding in Texas with a rental community in fast-growing New Braunfels.

Toronto-based Tricon Residential is working with HHS Residential, part of Highland Homes, to build 180 single-family rental homes near The Barndominium venue off Texas 46.

Known as Tricon Trail Creek, the community will include three- and four-bedroom homes with two-car garages, stainless steel appliances and smart home technology as well as trails, a dog park, barbecue grills and a playground.

...

Rent will be about $2,250 a month.

Tricon owns and operates about 37,000 single-family rental homes and apartments in the U.S. and Canada.

The company is focusing on the Sun Belt. The New Braunfels project is the third of its 13 planned rental home communities in Texas, which include three in the San Antonio area, three in the Houston area, two in the Austin area and five in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

This is one of the reasons it is becoming more and more difficult for the average citizen to own a home. Corporations are buying houses and/or plots of land to build houses and renting them out. People can't afford to compete with them to purchase the houses, so they're stuck renting forever and never being able to save the equity to even have a slim chance of competing for the purchase. Yes, they're supplying housing, but it's not a win-win situation.

[kingkirbythe....]

Very true.

[forward looking]

I too, have noted your mention of these corporate housing takeover types.
They are behind the future development in New Braunfels. These same type people are into a lot of other people for student loans too.
As though they can keep the population in peonage without that paid off home for their old age. What can be happening here?
One has to build their own house.

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

This is one of the reasons it is becoming more and more difficult for the average citizen to own a home. Corporations are buying houses and/or plots of land to build houses and renting them out. People can't afford to compete with them to purchase the houses, so they're stuck renting forever and never being able to save the equity to even have a slim chance of competing for the purchase. Yes, they're supplying housing, but it's not a win-win situation.

[theOGalexd]

Originally Posted by forward looking

I too, have noted your mention of these corporate housing takeover types.
They are behind the future development in New Braunfels. These same type people are into a lot of other people for student loans too.
As though they can keep the population in peonage without that paid off home for their old age. What can be happening here?
One has to build their own house.

I'm very, very pro capitalism/free market but at some point I think there needs to be some kind of regulations against these hedge funds from buying up houses/property in droves. This is becoming one of those "you'll own nothing" situations.

[Kumdogmillionaire]

Originally Posted by theOGalexd

I'm very, very pro capitalism/free market but at some point I think there needs to be some kind of regulations against these hedge funds from buying up houses/property in droves. This is becoming one of those "you'll own nothing" situations.

I say this with no intent to start a debate or appear aggressive, but the last 20 years have made me wonder how people can hold such an opinion of supporting the very system that has proven to be incapable of being trusted to run itself ethically. Even when regulations are installed, there always seem to be intentionally legislated loopholes. Both parties' king makers seem happily complicit in this too, so this upcoming generation of prospective homeowners are on the outside looking in for God knows how long... granted this issue is far greater outside of San Antonio. Relatively speaking, even with all the nefarious moves made by corporate America in recent history, San Antonio is far more equipped to withstand demand for housing compared to comparable cities like Atlanta, Austin, San Jose, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle, Miami, etc.

[kingkirbythe....]

Originally Posted by Kumdogmillionaire

I say this with no intent to start a debate or appear aggressive, but the last 20 years have made me wonder how people can hold such an opinion of supporting the very system that has proven to be incapable of being trusted to run itself ethically. Even when regulations are installed, there always seem to be intentionally legislated loopholes. Both parties' king makers seem happily complicit in this too, so this upcoming generation of prospective homeowners are on the outside looking in for God knows how long...

Ditto.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by Kumdogmillionaire

I say this with no intent to start a debate or appear aggressive, but the last 20 years have made me wonder how people can hold such an opinion of supporting the very system that has proven to be incapable of being trusted to run itself ethically. Even when regulations are installed, there always seem to be intentionally legislated loopholes. Both parties' king makers seem happily complicit in this too, so this upcoming generation of prospective homeowners are on the outside looking in for God knows how long... granted this issue is far greater outside of San Antonio. Relatively speaking, even with all the nefarious moves made by corporate America in recent history, San Antonio is far more equipped to withstand demand for housing compared to comparable cities like Atlanta, Austin, San Jose, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle, Miami, etc.

I think you're saying you agree with the seeming consensus of opinion. Is that right?

[forward looking]

Hell, everybody who is anybody has lobbyists working on loopholes around the clock. Remember when the lobbyist was shot down in D.C. while running the bases at a baseball game- by some hilltop sniper around five years ago?? I was very happy when he recovered. I wonder if he was awarded a medal for that?
Big Oil, Big Pharma, etc.etc.etc.etc. Democracy is the worst form of government except for all of the other forms of Govt. ever tried. Birds fly upside down over the D.C. Capitol dome.

I once met a patent lawyer that worked in China whom also, was a professor @ the University of Michigan. We were talking for a little while when he looked at me with raised eyebrows and a grin and confided," It is a difficult job over there, he said, and a lot like the movie "Mr. Smith goes to Washington."
I had to grin back.

Originally Posted by Kumdogmillionaire

the last 20 years have made me wonder how people can hold such an opinion of supporting the very system that has proven to be incapable of being trusted to run itself ethically. Even when regulations are installed, there always seem to be intentionally legislated loopholes. Both parties' king makers seem happily complicit in this too,

[kingkirbythe....]

Santikos sells nearly 30 acres of land near Rolling Oaks Mall to buyers planning to build apartments

https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/Santikos-sells-land-San-Antonio-17230182.php

Santikos Enterprises has sold off more land, this time a vacant swath near Rolling Oaks Mall in Northeast San Antonio to buyers who plan to build apartments.

A partnership affiliated with Atlanta-based Wood Partners and Washington, D.C.-based Carlyle Group last week bought nearly 30 acres at Loop 1604 and Green Mountain Road from Santikos for an undisclosed price.

Construction on a 366-unit complex is expected to start in the next few months and wrap up in May 2023, said Bart Barrett, managing director at Wood Partners.

San Antonio’s growing population, the property’s proximity to retail stores and employers such as Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union and access to New Braunfels, San Marcos and Austin made it an attractive acquisition, Barrett said.

On ExpressNews.com: Land once eyed for Santikos theater on San Antonio’s far West Side being developed as apartments

“San Antonio is a market we’ve been eyeing for quite some time,” he said.

Wood Partners builds and manages multifamily properties across the U.S. and Carlyle Group is a private equity firm. Santikos declined to comment on the sale.

In April, the regional movie theater company sold nearly 21 acres close to Loop 1604 and Potranco Road to a company affiliated with the Lynd Group.

The company once planned to build a 65,000-square-foot theater called the Granada at the site but ultimately built its Casa Blanca megaplex about four miles north.

Lynd is partnering with the San Antonio Housing Authority to develop a 360-unit complex.

A SAHA affiliate will lease the land to Lynd, exempting it from property taxes under state law. The company also will not have to pay sales taxes on purchases made for construction.

Forty percent of the units at the complex will be for residents making up to 80 percent of the area median income and 10 percent will be for residents earning up to 60 percent of the median income.

The rest will be rented at market rates.

Rents will range from $834 for the lower-priced units to $1,865 for the largest market rate units, a SAHA spokesperson said.

[forward looking]

What system is there, kumdog? From what I have heard in the 8 hour. news cycles the big oil companies are the ones behind the recent gigantic rise in gasoline prices. I am beginning to believe this. Soon prices for gasoline will reach a 100% rise. Because of one Russian pipeline ceasing flow?
Home heating prices will also, be through the roof next winter. I wonder where all this excess money is being pumped too? No one has thought of asking I guess. To the "Nine families" I guess.
I* believe, have heard, that the housing market is being over valued again and many of the same legislative loophole finding tricks are being used to inflate the prices. Not all of them but some. Gone is the risk of concealing and selling high risk real estate accounts within low risk investment portfolios to investors. Greed.
We are living within a Real Estate bubble, again. And. Then, another economic crash when reality sets in afterward. Not as bad as the crash of 08' it is said. I know this, I have been in the same house and the value has reached what it was back in 08'.
What in hell is Wall St. unethically, doing now? Money is the root of all evil. This old adage must be at least partly true.

Originally Posted by Kumdogmillionaire

I say this with no intent to start a debate or appear aggressive, but the last 20 years have made me wonder how people can hold such an opinion of supporting the very system that has proven to be incapable of being trusted to run itself ethically. Even when regulations are installed, there always seem to be intentionally legislated loopholes. Both parties' king makers seem happily complicit in this too,

[Kumdogmillionaire]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

I think you're saying you agree with the seeming consensus of opinion. Is that right?

Sort of? I framed my comment with that jumping off point that I wasn't trying to start a fight with anyone. The commenter I replied to said they are pro-capitalism and pro-free market which is a super common stance in Texas despite that ideology destroying the working and middle class 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵. So my point was that I can't imagine being pro-free market in 2022. Sorry for the rant

[Kumdogmillionaire]

Originally Posted by forward looking

Hell, everybody who is anybody has lobbyists working on loopholes around the clock. Remember when the lobbyist was shot down in D.C. while running the bases at a baseball game- by some hilltop sniper around five years ago?? I was very happy when he recovered. I wonder if he was awarded a medal for that?
Big Oil, Big Pharma, etc.etc.etc.etc. Democracy is the worst form of government except for all of the other forms of Govt. ever tried. Birds fly upside down over the D.C. Capitol dome.

I once met a patent lawyer that worked in China whom also, was a professor @ the University of Michigan. We were talking for a little while when he looked at me with raised eyebrows and a grin and confided," It is a difficult job over there, he said, and a lot like the movie "Mr. Smith goes to Washington."
I had to grin back.

Lmao, one can only imagine how being a patent attorney is hard to find work in a nation (China) with no patent laws Anyway, the issue isn't necessarily with Democracy, it's with the economic system that is able to manipulate democracy so effectively. Just my two cents

[sirkingwilliam]

Take the political discussion to off topic thread please.

[forward looking]

Sure. Democracy and Capitalism are not interchangeable terms.
From the little we spoke I was under the impression that it is extremely difficult to get a patent for anything in China. But. One can, do it. Thus the metaphorical crack about the naivete of the- Mr. Smith goes to Washington movie.
There is more red tape revolving around patent laws over there than even in Washington D.C.

Originally Posted by Kumdogmillionaire

Lmao, one can only imagine how being a patent attorney is hard to find work in a nation (China) with no patent laws Anyway, the issue isn't necessarily with Democracy, it's with the economic system that is able to manipulate democracy so effectively. Just my two cents