The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) is reaching out to the public for input regarding the potential sale of land that could see the construction of a new $160 million stadium for the San Antonio Missions, the AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres. According to a report by the San Antonio Report, the district has scheduled a community meeting for October 7 at 6 p.m. to discuss the 2.3-acre tract on Camaron Street. The site, currently occupied by the Soap Factory apartment complex, is being considered for demolition to make way for the sports facility.
The urgency of this discussion is framed by a deadline from the MLB, reported to be October 15, for new ownership to demonstrate a plan for the stadium's construction. The school board has been pressed by residents of the Soap Factory, during a September 16 meeting, to take a critical stance on the development, urging trustees to "play hardball" against the San Antonio Missions ownership and Weston Urban, the developer owning the endangered apartments. Despite the pressing concern, what remains in the air, are the particulars of which entity would ultimately purchase the land if the sale is greenlit.
In a companion piece, KSAT reports that the broader outlines of a deal involving the San Antonio City Council, Bexar County, Weston Urban, and the ownership group known as Designated Bidders were approved last week. This multilateral agreement underpins the initiative for the stadium construction along San Pedro Creek in downtown San Antonio.
The following day, on October 8, Bexar County Commissioners are slated to convene potentially to decide on this deal. However, a representative for County Judge Peter Sakai indicated that a vote is not yet scheduled.
