'Urban lite' project under way
10/17/2008
By Creighton A. Welch - Express-News
Site work is under way on a 24-acre commercial mixed-use project that the developer is calling “urban lite.”
Rialto Village will go into the far Northwest Side of San Antonio at Interstate 10 and Ralph Fair Road, and will have 185,000 square feet of retail space, 41,000 square feet of office condos, and five to seven locally owned restaurants.
“Most of Americans would really rather live in the suburbs, but they would like a taste of urban offerings and a place that is rich and colorful,” said Dale Schuparra, president of Schuparra Properties Inc., the project's developer. “I hope this is really kicking off what will be a taste of something new.”
The project will be broken up into about 25 different buildings, which could include some bistro-style restaurants, a salon and day spa, and a boutique fitness center.
Most of the tenants will be local or regional businesses, but the first tenant to officially sign on is a Walgreens, Schuparra said.
Rialto Village also will have outdoor plazas and jogging trails. The most noticeable part of the development will be a 120-foot “renaissance tower” at the entrance of the site. The overpass at Ralph Fair Road will extend directly into Rialto Village's main street.
“I definitely think that location is a terrific location; and when you look at the income level, it's very appealing,” said Ross Partlow of Partlow Properties in Boerne, who is familiar with the area. “There are a lot of rooftops that have gone up; and for neighborhood retail, it's probably underserved. If you try to go out there and compete with The Shops at La Cantera and The Rim, you're going to have a tough time. It's more the neighborhood-type businesses where I think there's some opportunity.”
Schuparra also hopes the village will act as a quasi-downtown and destination spot for the far Northwest Side of the city. He wants guests to experience a quaint and walkable environment where cars aren't needed to drive from store to store.
“We envision Rialto Village as the gathering place for the thousands of people living in the Dominion, Anaqua Springs, Fair Oaks Ranch, Boerne and beyond,” he said. “A lot of people who live that way are decision makers in smaller businesses and would maybe like to work in a place where they can meet friends and walk to lunch.”
The intimate feel that Rialto will have means less night lighting, which is good news for Camp Bullis. The military training ground, which is on the other side of Interstate 10 from Rialto, is facing the consequences of encroaching development. Rialto will use lights that face down so it won't disrupt the base during nighttime training sessions.
“I have spoken with them in regards to the kinds of infrastructure that will be necessary to protect Camp Bullis, and they have agreed to voluntarily participate in the downward lighting,” said Councilwoman Diane Cibrian, who is also chair of the Camp Bullis Joint Land Use Study. “They've been very responsive and have invited us out to their site.”
Rialto Village is scheduled to begin opening in mid-2009. Reata Real Estate Services is handling leasing for the project.
Online: www.mysanantonio.com/business/Urban_lite_project_under_way.html
|
|
