From the cover
Drawing in visitors
BY JARRETT WHITENER
The cost
The approach
Moving forward
The full story
Planned developments
Rowhomes Apartments or condos Parks Parking garage Undetermined Aviation District boundary
The rst property was purchased in September 2021, costing the economic development corpora- tion an estimated $240,723. Since then, more than $500,000 has been spent on property purchases annually, and $240,000 has been spent in 2024. “By consolidating various small lots into one larger tract, it increases the likelihood of attracting the nancial investment needed from the develop- ment community,” Cassata said.
Planned projects for the district include a hotel, housing, trails and parking. City sta will work on the Aviation District over the next decade or more with the properties owned by the corporation serving as encouragement for future development, Cassata said.
City sta said the timeline for the nine properties to be fully built out is around ve years. This process will include nalizing the acquisition of two lots on Bowie Street, which are planned for row home designation. Alongside the acquisition, city sta will look for developers for the project and begin the rezoning and construction of the planned development. Sta will continue working on the project throughout 2024, Cassata said. Universal City resident Miranda Land said she is looking forward to the changes in the district. “I’m excited to see this place evolve,” she said. “I think it needs a lot of work, but there are already some amazing businesses here, and I am hopeful that we can have more places that are unique to this city.”
The Aviation District Master Plan, which covers the area along Pat Booker Road from FM 78 to the area around West Langley Boulevard, was rst presented to Universal City City Council in August 2020. Turner said many of the property owners in the district reached out to city sta , and city o cials have no desire to force people to leave their homes or businesses. Economic Development Director Michael Cassata said the purchased land will be used for new developments on the nine properties that cost the EDC an estimated more than $2 million total. “The caveat is that the market will dictate the viability and timing of the private-side development,” Cassata said. “We anticipate releasing a [request for proposals] for development of these properties within the next year.”
8
2
6
1
7
Property purchase price
1 $240,000 2 $536,213 3 $130,552 4 $534,237 5 $194,650 6 7 8 $174,103* 9 $240,723
9
4
EDC property purchase prices
3
$800K
Total: $2,050,478
78
$600K
$400K
*THE FOLLOWING WERE ALL PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME FOR $174,103. NOTE: ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST DOLLAR
The property at 118 East Langley Blvd. was purchased on Aug. 7.
$200K
N
JARRETT WHITENER COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: CITY OF UNIVERSAL CITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
$0
2021
2022
2023
2024
LIVE OAK 14623 IH-35 N (210) 651-1911
RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244
LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600
STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322
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