An Austin developer already working on projects near Pearl and on the South Side is investing in Cattleman Square, a dilapidated area west of downtown peppered with government facilities, industrial buildings and empty lots.
Sabot Development recently bought the National Grocer Co. building at 421 N. Medina St. and 3.3 acres of vacant land behind the Scobey complex and VIA Metropolitan Transit’s headquarters.
Jim Young, a San Antonio native and U.S. Army veteran who leads Sabot, said he’d been eyeing the empty 70,416-square-foot building for years.
“I’m a history nerd. I just thought it was beautiful property and in a great location,” he said. “I like old buildings and architecture.”
An old LoopNet listing indicates the structure was built in 1920 but the Bexar Appraisal District pegs the year as 1950. Sabot acquired it and the land from Medina Martin Ltd. for an undisclosed price.
Young said he’s not decided what to do with the property and will solicit input from neighbors.
“I’d like to brainstorm on it for a few months,” he said. “I’d love to be part of a redevelopment of that area.”
Sabot Development recently purchased the National Grocer Co. building at 421 N. Medina St. west of downtown San Antonio.
Other projects
In Tobin Hill, Sabot plans to build 299 apartments and about 12,000 square feet of retail space on a block bounded by East Euclid, East Myrtle, East Elmira and East Locust streets.
On the South Side, the firm could build as many as 380 apartments on the 9400 block of Southeast Loop 410. Young said he’s getting residents’ input before designing the development.
He’s also worked on projects in San Marcos and Austin.
While apartments, offices and retail buildings have been going up downtown and neighborhoods nearby, little development has spilled into the Cattleman Square area.
As the University of Texas at San Antonio expands its downtown campus, San Pedro Creek undergoes improvements and Weston Urban begins residential developments, some residents say that will change.
The area is cut off by railroad tracks and a highway and is home to the Bexar County Adult Detention Center and Haven for Hope homeless shelter.
Young’s property surrounds the Scobey complex, a row of vacant industrial buildings owned by VIA. The transportation agency has an agreement with San Antonio developer DreamOn Group to turn the complex into a mixed-use development with housing, commercial and retail space, and other components.
The buildings are next to VIA’s headquarters and near its Centro Plaza transit center.
Julissa Carielo and Rene Garcia formed DreamOn in 2019. Carielo started contracting firm Tejas Premier Building Contractor Inc. and Garcia spent over 35 years working for the Zachry family in construction and development.
DreamOn presented several options to VIA for the agency’s role in the project, which its board and staff are discussing, Carielo said. After they approve an option, DreamOn would conduct survey and environmental work and develop designs.
Sabot Development recently purchased the National Grocer Co. building at 421 N. Medina St. west of downtown San Antonio.
Previous efforts
Local developer Ed Cross’ previous attempts to revitalize the buildings fizzled.
He purchased the property in 1999 and pitched it as a potential headquarters for the San Antonio Water System and San Antonio Police Department, but both organizations chose other locations.
A deal to sell it to another developer who wanted to convert it to offices and multifamily units also fell through. In 2017, VIA bought it for $5.2 million from two partnerships managed by Cross.
DreamOn is interested in partnering with nearby property owners to broaden the development. The firm is working with the Geyser Group, a real estate investor that will help with financing, and has worked with Young, Carielo said.
“We are looking to meet and collaborate as much as we can … to really help expand this project to be more of a district improvement instead of just the five buildings,” she said.
“What we want is to bring life into those buildings in a way that serves the community. We also believe that the (Centro) Plaza is a main attraction that could be activated differently as well,” she said. “If we can provide mixed use of housing, but also business space and retail space and food and beverage, then it will turn into another place to come and enjoy.”
madison.iszler@express-news.net