Development
BY SIERRA MARTIN
New $151M headquarters slated for New Braunfels Utilities
After considering 17 di erent potential tracts of undeveloped land, New Braunfels Utilities has found the home of its future headquarters. A 70-acre site located o I-35 behind the Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo was purchased by the utility in November. Construction on the $151 mil- lion headquarters is slated to begin in January 2025 and be completed in spring 2027. “This location works really well for where we are on I-35 for getting access to our customers,” NBU Program Portfolio Manager Jacob Tschoepe said. The backstory In 2021, NBU planned to build its headquarters at the Trinity Well Field and Treatment Plant. But after the results of a sta ng study were analyzed, Tschoepe said the 40 acres of property would not support the utilities’ projected growth. “Our fear was that we would not have enough room to expand and handle the continued growth of the New Braunfels community,” Tschoepe said.
The utility plans to move all the employees working out of the NBU Service Station on FM 306 and the Main Plaza o ce into the headquarters. By 2045, NBU anticipates having around 700 people employed at the headquarters. According to NBU o cials, any future plans for the redevelopment of the Main Plaza o ce—which was previously reported to be turned into a bou- tique hotel, restaurant and parking garage—have been put on hold. The framework NBU o cials are working with architects to determine the schematic design of the future headquarters. Once completed, NBU customers would be able to pay bills and receive customer service at the HQ. “We want our customers to know exactly where to go and be able to nd anything they need when it comes to NBU service all in one location, and that’s what our vision is to HQ,” Tschoepe said.
“As this site is quite a bit larger, it gives us that ability to meet and grow along with New Braunfels well into the future.” JACOB TSCHOEPE, NBU PROGRAM PORTFOLIO MANAGER
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