DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
Acquisition of street right-of-way known as Avenue B, between Newell Avenue and Pearl Parkway, for City of San Antonio use.
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the City of San Antonio to acquire and accept a portion of a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) roadway, known as Avenue B, between Newell Avenue and Pearl Parkway, of which payment for the property has been waived by TxDOT under the Texas Transportation Code 202.021(e), and the City of San Antonio will assume jurisdiction, control and maintenance of the right-of-way for public road purposes.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Silver Ventures is a private equity firm that is working to make numerous improvements in the Pearl Brewery area. Recently, Silver Ventures has sought to develop an office building and parking lot adjacent to Avenue B and U.S. Highway 281. The majority of Avenue B from Pearl Parkway to E. Josephine is already City-owned right-of-way, however the section of Avenue B from Pearl Parkway to Newell is TxDOT owned right-of way.
Silver Ventures, in conjunction with Pape-Dawson Engineers, reached out to TxDOT to determine the feasibility of reconfiguring the roadway from a one-way to a two-way street. Under TxDOT guidelines, TxDOT does not allow two-way frontage roads. Avenue B was still classified as frontage road. It was determined that because TxDOT does not use Avenue B as a frontage road any longer, the street could be conveyed to the City, free of charge. The City stands to benefit from the acquisition of the roadway and conversion to a two-way roadway as this improves mobility and traffic movement. Silver Ventures also benefits from the conversion to a two-way roadway as it improves access to the proposed office building and parking lot.
Silver Ventures, in partnership with Pape-Dawson Engineers, will work to design the road...
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