Dec. 16, 2024 – The San Antonio ISD Board of Trustees tonight heard a staff update on the progress of negotiations between the district, county, city, developers and Missions’ ownership related to the potential sale or exchange of district property for a proposed multi-purpose facility with approximately 4,500 fixed seats and capacity for approximately 7,500 to be used for professional minor league baseball, college and high school games, other non-professional sporting events, conventions, meetings, festivals, special events, and community events. The trustees directed the superintendent to enter into a non-binding MOU outlining the terms for continued negotiations with all parties.
“We have given direction to the superintendent to prepare and enter into a non-binding memorandum of understanding, and to use that as a basis to continue negotiations with the relevant parties in order to develop a final contract,” said SAISD Board President Christina Martinez.
A non-binding MOU is intended to constitute an expression and mutual understanding of the parties’ willingness to work collaboratively in support of the terms and conditions of the proposed transaction. If all parties come to an agreement during negotiations, the next step would be to collaborate on applicable contracts and agreements that would be approved by the respective governing bodies and boards.
Last month during their Nov. 18 board meeting, SAISD trustees approved, with some revisions, the superintendent’s recommendation related to the district’s property on Camaron Street, which is sought for a potential new multi-purpose facility to be used in part to host the Missions baseball team. At that time, the trustees directed the superintendent to notify all parties involved. In advising the other parties, these entities indicated they wanted further conversation and formal discussion. Two trustees accompanied the superintendent during these discussions in late November and early December. All trustees were briefed on the progress of the discussions during an executive session on Monday, Dec. 9.
“We are pleased that all parties are collaborating to uphold the district’s values of keeping students and their families at the forefront of our conversations,” SAISD Superintendent Jaime Aquino said. “We know that a vibrant downtown community includes family affordable housing, close proximity to quality schools, and robust economic development. I am proud that we are united on this.”
During the SAISD board presentation tonight, staff outlined the status of current negotiations as it related to the original five elements the trustees approved on Nov. 18:
• Original: Appoint the SAISD superintendent or designee to a seat on the Houston Street Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ). Status: This element was revised to propose the appointment of an SAISD Board-appointed designee to a seat on the San Antonio Housing Trust (SAHT) Board, where there is greater opportunity to have more impact on family affordable housing in the urban core.
• Original: Fund new construction of a building for the Advanced Learning Academy (ALA). Status: The Developer has agreed to work with SAISD to evaluate opportunities closer to the Fox Tech campus and on/near the Euclid campus to accommodate PK-5 ALA. SAISD would be responsible for funding the construction of the new school. This proposal hinges on the developers’ success in completing a land purchase agreeable to SAISD.
• Original: Provide necessary parking with safe passage to the Fox Tech campus. Status: Parking would be located on the same side of the street as the Fox Tech campus to avoid students, staff, and families having to cross S. Flores St. Temporary parking will be provided during the construction of the Fox Tech parking garage.
• Original: Provide $400,000 per year to compensate for the loss of interest that could have been earned by SAISD if SAISD was to have sold the property through a sealed bid process. Status: This element was revised by the county’s agreement to waive parking garage fees (currently $432,000 per year) for SAISD’s use of the Quincy parking garage and to incur no fees for the use of the new Fox Tech garage in exchange for the 2.3-acre tract. The waiving of fees is equivalent to the lost earnings if SAISD was to have sold the property through a sealed bid process. SAISD would take care of the regular security, maintenance and operations of both garages, and the county retains public parking fees and major capital improvements. At the conclusion of the leases (about 30 years), SAISD would own both garages.
• Original: Guarantee affordable housing in SAISD attendance zones. Status: This element was revised to propose that the city and county adopt five-year measurable housing goals with a focus on family affordable housing (2-3 bedrooms) in the urban core, including SAISD’s attendance zones. The district’s participation as a board member on the San Antonio Housing Trust will be especially impactful in increasing affordable and appropriate housing for its families.