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In July 2007, Citizen Committees were formed to research, develop and recommend to Commissioners Court projects that met a community need, appealed to visitors, and improved our local economy. In May 2008, Bexar County citizens approved extending the visitor tax, a financing tool combining a 1.75% hotel/motel occupancy tax and a 5% short-term rental tax to fund and develop new community venue projects.
SOAR STAR Soccer Complex nears completion
The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation is close to completing the 77-acre South Texas Area Regional (STAR) Soccer Complex and the adjoining "Morgan's Wonderland", Special Needs Park. As the final phase of construction is completed, the project team reports that they have utilized small, minority or women owned businesses for 26% of the construction and 78% was by local companies.
The STAR Soccer facility includes the following amenities:
- 75-acre regional soccer
complex
- 13 full size fields (225' by 330')
The Hon. Nelson Wolff at an event highlighting the new soccer fields.
- Fully lit and maintained 
- Ample parking
- Restrooms
- Vending/concessions
- Two playground areas
The grand opening is scheduled for March 1, 2010.
For more information on the SOAR STAR Soccer Complex, contact Karen Jensen (210) 495-8686
(Source: starsoccersa.com)
Performing Arts Center Foundation
selects Construction Team
The Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation has selected the team that will convert the auditorium into a world class event space for local arts organizations. San Antonio based, Zachry Construction Corp. and the Linbeck Group from Houston will lead the construction efforts to turn the Municipal Auditorium into the Performing Arts Center. Linbeck's is credited with building such projects as the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and Zachry has been involved with many iconic projects in the Bexar County area, including the Museum Reach portion of the San Antonio River Improvement and the Haven for Hope complex.
The project is funded by $100 million from the Bexar County venue tax and $32 million from private fundraising. The Foundation expects construction of the Center to begin in June 2011 with an anticipated completion in September 2013. The selection of Zachry and Linbeck completes the team that will transform the 1926 structure into a state of the art performance hall. They will work with the designers, Marmon Mok Architecture and LMN Architects, and the project management firm, the Projects Group. The new performing arts center will include a 1,750-seat  performance hall, a studio theater/rehearsal hall, and the building will also connect to the River Walk. They plan to keep the building's faade intact, but the roof and the interior of the building will be completely renovated.
For more information about the Bexar County Performing Arts Center, please contact Rodney J. Smith at (210) 223-3333.
Groundbreaking marks beginning
for Briscoe Art Museum Project
Members of the National Western Art Foundation and County Judge Nelson Wolff officially broke ground at the site where an arts pavilion for the Dolph and Janey Briscoe Western Art Museum will be built.
The three-story museum will feature western art from all over  South Texas and is scheduled to open in March 2011. The pavilion will include 5,000 square feet of event space, surrounded by western art and sculptures, that will be available to rent for conferences & receptions.
The construction manager has begun work on the existing building adjacent to the site, which was once the site of the San Antonio Main Library that was built in 1929. For more information about the Briscoe Western Art Museum project, please contact Dan Briggs, (210) 240-5660.
Museum Reach Project Results in Participation by Local Firms
The first phase of the 13-mile San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP), the Museum Reach Urban Segment, opened to the public this past May. The $72 million project extends the world-famous River Walk approximately 1.3 miles from Lexington Avenue to Josephine Street. This marks the first milestone of the more than 10-year  project between Bexar County, the San Antonio River Authority, the City of San Antonio, and the San Antonio River Foundation to create recreational opportunities, spark economic development, restore ecosystems and provide better access to the city's greatest natural resource, the San Antonio River.
During the construction of the Museum Reach Urban Segment, the construction manager reported the use of 84% local firms and 24% small businesses. In addition, half of those companies were owned by minorities, women, or veterans.
(Source: San Antonio River Authority)
 Mission Concepcion Sports Park involves SMWBE firms in early stage
The Mission Concepcion Athletic and Recreational Complex is a multi-sport/multi-use facility that will be built at the site of the historic Mission Concepcion. The project will include:
A gymnasium that will accommodate 6 basketball or 12 volleyball courts
A baseball 4-plex with concessions, restrooms, field lights and bleachers
2 softball & 1 T-ball field
A fully lit 8 lane track & field facility with a soccer/football field
A cross country course
The developer, MCSP, Inc. DBA Youth Sports, reports that the SMWBE participation during the design stage thus far is 35%. Working with Marmon Mok Architecture, members of the design team include Jaster Quintanilla (SMBE), James T. Rodriguez Consulting Engineers (SMDBE), & Dickensheets Design Associates (SWBE).
To get more information on the Mission Concepcion Athletic Complex, please contact James Trimboli, (210) 734-1944.
 Wheatley Heights Project showcased at SMWVBO Conference
The Eastside Christian Action Group that will develop the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, participated in the 2009 Small Minority Woman & Veteran Business Owners Conference on December 9th, 2009 at the Freeman Coliseum. The project team promoted the upcoming opportunities that will be available during the construction of the facility.
The County is committed to providing opportunities for SMWBE through the development of the Community Venues Projects. Those interested in any of the projects, are encouraged to contact the groups that have agreed to oversee the construction & operation of each venture.
The Wheatley Heights Sports Complex will feature:
- Soccer Fields - Pavilion - Site Lighting - Meeting Space - Basketball Courts
- Football Field - Track Fields - Parking - Concessions - Restrooms
For more information about the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, contact Frank Dunn (210) 601-6116.
Commissioner Adkisson speaks to
business owners at the Conference
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