Why the best shot in town at the new stadium might not be downtown

SAN ANTONIO – Developing a baseball stadium downtown could trigger ancillary development in downtown San Antonio, but after years of discussion and at least one study that explored multiple sites, a more viable home for a baseball stadium may be outside of downtown.

But even that could depend on a second tenant sharing the stadium with the Double-A San Antonio Missions.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who months ago confirmed that several groups were exploring sites near San Pedro Creek and at the former Lone Star Brewery, as well as in North San Antonio, now says the latter option may have “the best chance.” for promotion.

In 2016, I reported that a study by Barrett Sports Group commissioned by the City of San Antonio looked at several potential downtown venues initially identified by a separate group, Brailsford & Dunlavey, as “Tier 1” candidates. They included land near Market and Alamo streets, where Hemisphere Civic Park is currently under construction, as well as a site near Broadway Street and a site to the west near San Pedro Creek.

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Collecting land near San Pedro Creek can be a difficult task.

And Wolfe, who in 1994 spearheaded the development of the stadium near Port San Antonio that now bears his name, said infrastructure at the Lone Star site, including railroad tracks, could be an obstacle.

Meanwhile, the North site, depending on where it is located, could potentially draw UTSA’s interest as the university works to improve its athletics facilities to facilitate the move to the American Athletic Conference in 2023.

“If something was up north, obviously it has a better chance for our involvement and collaboration,” said UTSA President Taylor Aimee.

While playing six college football games at the Alamodome has its advantages for a university that is currently unable to build a stadium closer to campus, playing baseball downtown with a full schedule would present logistical challenges for the Roadrunners.

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According to Wolff, the university’s involvement will be key to the North Side stadium project.

“To get public support, UTSA would have to be included,” he said.

UTSA officials emphasized that they want what’s best for baseball and San Antonio and aren’t trying to push stadium discussions away from downtown.

“There is a very strong effort in the city center. And obviously there’s a second effort that could be important that involves the North Side,” Aimee said. “We’re just letting the process take its course. We’re available, depending on what happens.”

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by a partnership between KSAT and the San Antonio Business Journal.

Click here to read the story in the San Antonio Business Journal.

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