Growth Prompts Mixed-Use Development in San Antonio Suburb

Another town on the outskirts of San Antonio is working to capitalize on the metro’s rapid growth, while maintaining its small-town charm.

The city of Pleasanton, about 35 miles south of the Alamo City, aims to revamp its downtown to accommodate booming population growth, with Canada-based Stantec aiding redevelopment efforts, the San Antonio Business Journal reported.

Plans call for an overhaul of Main Street and the conversion of an elementary school as part of a 22-acre mixed-use development, serving as a “central hub” for the town of roughly 11,000 people. Costs and funding sources weren’t reported.

Stantect will oversee design and planning, incorporating community feedback for various aspects of the project, such as architecture, landscaping and overall master plan. Construction is set to begin this fall.

The development is expected to yield 200 multifamily units across three buildings, encompassing affordable and market-rate options. It’s also slated for retail and office space, accompanied by ample parking. The gymnasium of a former elementary school will be converted into an event center and live music venue.

“It has taken years of planning and searching for funding sources, but I believe this project will provide everything our community has been waiting for,” Johnny Huizar, Pleasanton’s city manager, told the outlet.

Stantec principal Eduardo Garcia called the project a “rebirth that will create a vibrant downtown core,” while maintaining its “historic character.”

Other small towns outside San Antonio have similar plans up their sleeves. In Seguin, for instance, officials are working to revitalize the downtown by repurposing underutilized and unoccupied office spaces, capitalizing on incoming growth without causing existing businesses to relocate.

—Quinn Donoghue