Major Retail Center planned for the South Side.

[TimManuParker]

Brooks deal will turn area into retail center

Web Posted: 11/16/2004 12:00 AM CST

Adolfo Pesquera
Express-News Business Writer

The Brooks Development Authority finalized an agreement Monday on a deal that will lead to development of a major retail center at Brooks City-Base.

The authority sold 62 acres of the base's land to Wal-Mart and a San Antonio developer for construction of a Wal-Mart SuperCenter that will anchor the development to be known as City-Base Landing Shopping Center.

Numerous companies have agreed to locate businesses alongside Wal-Mart, including Office Depot, Chili's, Starbucks, Broadway Bank, Wells Fargo, Buffalo Wild Wings, Longhorn Café, Fashion 5, Chick-Fil-A, EB Games and City-Base Laundry.

"We're going to reorient the South Side shopping patterns," predicted Mark Granados, the managing partner and developer of Dellview Marketplace, another Wal-Mart-anchored shopping center on Vance Jackson Road.

"Traditionally, South Park Mall has been the anchor. When we're through, (the Southeast Military Drive at Goliad Road intersection) will have more retail square footage."

Interstate 37 at Military Drive will become the shopping destination for the Southeast Side and for outlying communities such as Floresville, La Vernia, Pleasanton and Seguin, he said.

At completion, City-Base Landing is to employ close to 1,000 people and have 570,000 square feet of retail space. About 200,000 square feet of that will be for the Wal-Mart SuperCenter.

"City-Base Landing will be the front door to Brooks City-Base technology park," Councilman Ron Segovia said. "This shopping center will be a valuable addition to Southeast San Antonio."

The Military Drive and Goliad Road area has been enjoying a rebirth over the past couple of years. In the spring, Target Corp. opened a store across the street from the City-Base Landing site, and other companies are rehabilitating old strip centers nearby or building new projects.

Granados acknowledged the project has been difficult and involved nearly two years of negotiations. The preferred site was in need of major infrastructure improvements.

A $10.5 million city public works project began in August to eliminate flooding on the project site, Goliad Road and the adjacent section of Southeast Military Drive. Upgrades also are being done to the water, electric and gas systems and a new boulevard is to be built at the authority's expense.

City-Base Landing Boulevard will ring the property, providing access to Goliad, Military and the base.

Brooks City-Base is a unique partnership between the city and the Air Force.

The city controls the land and is responsible for its commercial development, providing savings to the military and allowing it to concentrate on its missions.

Authority Chairman Howard Peak believes the retail development could make Brooks more attractive to prospective high-tech tenants.

High on his wish list is the construction of a new office complex.

Most of the base's buildings were built before 1970, and some date to World War II.

"The revenue generated for the BDA by the sale of the property will be used to improve infrastructure (and) enhance the quality of life for current and future tenants, residents and neighbors," Peak said.

He added it also would help the base attract and retain high-wage medical, scientific, defense and homeland security jobs.

The price of the retail deal was not disclosed, but Hill-Granados partners purchased their share in two phases. They bought a 6.8-acre section in October for $3.3 million, according to county records. Wal-Mart owns 40 acres.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business....5eaa5166.html

[Hec]

I live less than a mile away from Goliad and Military Dr. i can't wait for the shoping center opens. I hope a Loew's comes too. I hate the Home Depot on Fair Ave. I finally don't have to drive 10+ miles to get a decent meal.(Patty's Taco house not included)

[FREE BEER]

SOUTH SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE!