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The land transfer is being facilitated by the San Antonio River Authority, which originally acquired the property in 2007. Under the new arrangement, the Brooks Development Authority will oversee essential site preparations, including platting, utility installation, and road construction. This initiative, referred to as “Project Oso,” is designed to make the site shovel-ready for large-scale commercial and industrial facilities.
Strategic Expansion and Economic Growth
Since its inception in 2002, the Brooks Development Authority has overseen the redevelopment of the 1,308-acre Brooks Air Force Base. Over the past two decades, the site has evolved into a thriving hub featuring a mix of residential, commercial, and public infrastructure, including schools, a hospital, and manufacturing facilities. Currently, the area supports over 3,000 jobs and provides housing for more than 1,400 residents, contributing to a significant rise in local property values.
Leo Gomez, CEO of the Brooks Development Authority, stated that the new Southton Road project serves as a model for future regional development. By preparing large tracts of land near key infrastructure—such as highways, railways, and the proposed South Texas Parkway—the authority aims to enhance San Antonio’s competitiveness in attracting major corporate investment. Gomez emphasized that the organization is no longer limiting its scope to the original base footprint, noting that the region is eager for further economic expansion.
Public Collaboration and Future Development
The 243-acre site will remain under public ownership, as both the San Antonio River Authority and the Brooks Development Authority are government entities. While the land is being transferred to Brooks for development oversight, the San Antonio River Authority will retain permission to use portions of the property for storing materials related to ongoing creek restoration projects on the city’s West Side.
The development authority plans to invest its own capital into the site’s infrastructure and may seek additional financial support from city or county sources. This project is part of a broader strategy that has seen the authority acquire other properties in recent years, including a 158-acre former golf course now slated for public use and a 55-acre site near the San Antonio State Hospital dedicated to affordable housing. According to Derek Boese, general manager of the San Antonio River Authority, the collaboration represents a strategic commitment to the long-term economic future of the South Side.
