City of San Antonio Leaders Announce Deal with Frost and Weston Urban that Will Result in New Tower Downtown

SAN ANTONIO, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayor Ivy R. Taylor, Dick Evans of Frost and Graham Weston of Weston Urban announced today that the City, Weston Urban and Frost have negotiated a deal that will result in a consolidated office tower for City operations, facilitate the development of 265 new housing units in the Central Business District and forever alter San Antonio's skyline with the construction of the first new office tower downtown since 1989. The new tower will house the headquarters for Frost Bank.

In June 2014, the City of San Antonio received an unsolicited proposal under the Public Private Partnership Guidelines from Weston Urban and Frost that would consolidate City offices and catalyze housing, office and retail development in the city's core. In accordance with the guidelines and at the invitation of the City, Weston Urban and Frost submitted a more detailed proposal in August 2014.

"As mayor, I couldn't be more thrilled about this Public Private Partnership with Weston Urban and Frost," Mayor Taylor said. "In addition to providing valuable downtown housing, it will enable the City to consolidate operations into City-owned buildings downtown. The economic impact is huge – in addition to the new tower and housing, it will provide much needed retail opportunities along our two major retail corridors, West Commerce and Houston streets."

"This transaction will centralize approximately 1,400 employees into three City-owned buildings," City Manager Sheryl Sculley said. "Currently, the City of San Antonio leases office space in four buildings in the downtown area, costing the City $3.5 million annually. This transaction will result in a net savings to the City's budget. Additionally, it will provide more housing in the core of our downtown and facilitate the construction of the first tower in 26 years."  

The City will sell the Municipal Plaza Building at 114 West Commerce and properties at 319 West Travis and 403 North Flores to Weston Urban. These properties along with the properties that Frost will sell to Weston Urban will facilitate the creation of 265 new housing units downtown. Frost will sell the Frost Bank Tower and 732 space parking garage to the City of San Antonio. Weston Urban will construct a new 400,000 square foot office tower to serve as Frost Bank's headquarters, with Frost as the named tenant, on the Frost Motor Bank and surface parking lot at the corner of Flores and Houston streets.

"Frost has been an integral part of downtown San Antonio since our company first opened its doors on Main Plaza nearly 150 years ago," said Evans, Frost chairman and CEO. "As a long-time supporter of downtown initiatives, Frost is committed to the continued growth of San Antonio's urban core. We are very pleased to see this project moving forward, as it will allow us to maintain our corporate headquarters downtown in an iconic new skyscraper, where we will be the named tenant."

"This project will continue the incredible momentum we are experiencing in downtown San Antonio," Weston said. "When complete, this will be the first office tower built downtown in three decades. Its proximity to the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project makes it an extremely desirable location. While the tower will forever change our city's skyline, we're equally excited about the proposal on the whole and creating unique housing options in the core."

A public hearing on the proposal and comprehensive development agreement is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 28 in City Council Chambers. City Council will take action on the agreement at the June 4, 2015 City Council meeting.

City on the Rise: San Antonio

San Antonio is a city on the rise for the new face of America—a diverse, progressive and globally competitive city with a solid vision for national and international economic development. The City of San Antonio maintains a strong financial position with a "AAA" general obligation bond rating from all three major rating agencies. In 2014, Forbes labeled San Antonio the "Best City in the Southwest" for adults ages 18-34 for its dynamic economy, employment opportunities and affordable living. As the seventh-largest city in the United States, San Antonio is experiencing solid economic growth in 21st century industries such as bioscience, aerospace, cybersecurity and healthcare, which contribute billions to the local economy. San Antonio has also positioned itself at the forefront of the New Energy Economy in the United States, committed to investing and creating employment opportunities in green industries. San Antonio continues to experience the addition of missions at its several military commands, further fostering a significant relationship spanning more than 200 years. Thirty-one million visitors come to San Antonio every year, generating more than $13.4 billion annually and making the travel industry a vital asset to the city's economic health. For more information, visit www.sanantonio.gov.

SOURCE City of San Antonio

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