San Antonio River Authority and Archdiocese Reach Agreement on Sale of Property

The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and the Archdiocese of San Antonio have reached an agreement for the sale of 11 ∏ acres that will be utilized in the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project. Per the agreement, SARA will pay the Archdiocese $450,000 for the property and guarantee the Mission Concepcíon Multi-Sports Complex vehicle access to Theo Ave.

Responding to the day’s outcome, Father Martin Leopold, Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of San Antonio said, "I am pleased that the mediation succeeded so quickly and that we can move forward in the same spirit of cooperation that has existed throughout this process. I am grateful for the goodwill effort and hard work on the part of both parties.”

“The San Antonio River Improvements Project has been under development for many years and SARA has represented the public interest in other similar routine property negotiations,” said Suzanne Scott, SARA’s General Manager. “The mediation process worked well as both parties negotiated in good faith and we were able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. We are pleased with the outcome and are ready to continue the construction of the Mission Reach project.”



As part of the agreement, SARA will use the newly acquired property as part of the Mission Reach Phase 2A project, which broke ground on February 13th. The $22.3 million Mission Reach Phase 2A project, which was awarded to Zachry Construction Corp., will begin just south of the confluence of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek and continue approximately one mile downstream. Over 800,000 cubic yards of soil will be excavated and over 2,200 trees, 40 acres of riparian habitat, 6 riffle structures and 2 embayments will be reestablished. Over 1.2 miles of trails and a pedestrian bridge will be constructed as part of the base project.

Bexar County Venue Tax funding will add street connections at Theo Ave. and Mission Rd, additional trails and upgraded trail surface, shade structures, a second pedestrian bridge and the Mission Concepcíon portal. Bexar County uses a combination of venue and flood control taxes to act as the primary funding partner for the Mission Reach project. The balance of funding comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, City of San Antonio, SARA and San Antonio River Foundation. Additionally, a $16 million regional sports complex, known as the Mission Concepcíon Multi-Sports Complex, will be constructed with Bexar County Venue Tax funding on Archdiocese property adjacent to the property transferred to SARA in the agreement. In total, over $40 million of public investment in the Mission Reach Phase 2A project, Mission Concepcíon Multi-Sports Complex and proposed Theo Ave. realignment will be allocated in the immediate area near Theo Ave. and the San Antonio River. This significant investment is the result of a multi-faceted partnership between Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, SARA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the San Antonio River Foundation, National Park Service and the Archdiocese.

Father Leopold, commenting on the positive impact the River project will have on the whole community, said, “The Archdiocese has always been in support of the goals of the San Antonio River Improvements Project and we are proud to be a partner in making this south side dream a reality.”