Cutting a New Path of Growth by Kim Gatley Sr. V.P. & Director of Research REOC San Antonio The growing oil production in San Antonio’s nearby Eagle Ford Shale Oil Fields is an emerging economic force creating opportunities in San Antonio and southern-tier communities such as Pearsall, Pleasanton, Floresville, and Karnes City. By some accounts, the frenzied ramp-up in oil production has slowed somewhat but experts agree that activity is still strong as oilfield service companies focus on running more efficiently. University of Texas at San Antonio researchers recently reported that activities in the Eagle Ford Shale accounted for roughly 116,000 jobs and generated $61 billion dollars in economic impact in 2012. Within the next ten years those numbers are expected to grow to $89 billion and 127,000 jobs. This translates into continued growth opportunities for the San Antonio region.
The 35-mile stretch between San Antonio and Pleasanton, where population has grown by 30% over the past few years, is a likely path of new growth. Blazing the trail is the Eagle Ford Industrial Park located at the junction of I-37 and FM 536, just 8 miles south of the newly completed Halliburton Operations Facility at Loop 1604. In the middle of what used to be ranch land now stands a row of light industrial buildings, home to a handful of companies situated along Eagle Ford Drive. The growing industrial park offers opportunities for both users and investors and serves to bridge the distance between San Antonio’s workforce and the nearby oilfields. Fifteen miles north of San Antonio the city of Bulverde is another area where growth appears to be forthcoming. The planned development of Singing Hills – a 250-acre mixed-use project near the intersection of U.S. 281 and Highway 46 – is slated to bring needed infrastructure improvements to the area; this will support both commercial and residential development while bringing vital retail
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services to the region. Converse is one of several northeast satellite communities situated in what is often referred to as the Randolph Metrocom area because of its proximity to Randolph Air Force Base. With a population of nearly 20,000 people, Converse is strategically located on Loop 1604 between Interstate 35 and Interstate 10 and yet, “it is almost as if it is undiscovered territory, an untapped jewel for development,” says Kate Silvas, Executive Director of Economic Development (EDC) for the City of Converse. Accordingly, the city has recently developed a strategic master plan to encourage growth intended to create a new commercial development corridor in the city. The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) has plans to extend water and sewer services. SARA currently has two permitted, but not yet operational, wastewater facilities to service future development in the IH-10/Loop 1604 interchange area. Infrastructure improvements promise to open up significant opportunity for the region and will support the establishment of quick-serve restaurants, gas stations and additional retail. The latest traffic counts from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) indicate that 31,000 cars pass through Converse on 1604 every day – up 35% over the past decade. Loop 1604 traverses most of Converse as a four-lane expressway; however, near the edge of the community, traffic is restricted to a two-lane thoroughfare. Bexar County and TxDOT have partnered on a pass-through financing arrangement to improve the portion of 1604 which spans 2.79 miles between Lower Seguin Road and IH-10 from two-lanes to four lanes to accommodate the high volume of trucks and commuter traffic. The contract has been awarded to Texas Sterling with plans to begin work in early March; the project is projected to take approximately eighteen months to complete. The area has seen a 24% population growth over the decade between 1990 and 2000 and has a 21% growth rate projected for the five-year period ending 2016. Converse and the surrounding areas are seeing significant growth in residential building. Major employers located in Converse include: Randolph AFB (9,000); Judson ISD (800+); City of Converse (148), and others, including Walmart, Meadow Burke Products, Ingram Ready Mix and Acme Brick/Featherlite. There are over 200 busi-
nesses located in Converse and there are currently several available land tracts along the busy Loop 1604 corridor that have been identified for development. The city of Converse is looking to attract a variety of commercial development including retail, automotive dealerships, medical, office, hospitality and entertainment venues. Industrial development is also being encouraged (oilfield service providers and other Eagle Ford Shale-related businesses along with information technology, manufacturing and construction). Several new businesses have opened in Converse over the last couple of years. Most recently, Nat G, a Compressed Natural Gas Solutions company based in Houston selected Converse for its expansion plans. Converse began construction of a new elementary school located along Loop 1604 at Coppergate scheduled to open in August 2014 to accommodate 800 students.
Available for Development Location Size 1604 Rocket Lane
51.5 ac.
1604 Rocket Lane
28.76 ac.
1604 Hanover Cove
27.31 ac.
1604 Lower Seguin
24.72 ac.
1604 Autum Run
22.0 ac.
1604/Coppergate
15.48 ac.
FM78/Knuepper Road
27.63 ac.