Reuse Possibilities Mulled for Federally Owned Buildings

San Antonio’s John H. Wood Federal Courthouse and adjacent multistory government building were built decades ago. Now, the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. and Urban Land Institute experts are discussing re-use ideas for the buildings on César Chávez Boulevard.

Federal officials agreed to swap the courthouse and next-door building for land to the west of Hemisfair, on which work has begun on the $144 million replacement courthouse. Depending on what city leaders decide, the buildings could have a second life as housing and/or entertainment space on the southern edge of the 1968 World’s Fair site.

“It’s an important piece in the restitching and blending back of neighborhoods,” Continental Development Corp.’s Alex Rose told the San Antonio Business Journal. Rose, who heads the ULI group that consulted with the HPARC, added that the physical structure could be adapted to residential use.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Amy Sorter