Northeast San Antonio Metrocom Edition | June 2025

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Northeast San Antonio

Metrocom Edition VOLUME 4, ISSUE 9 JUNE 13JULY 14, 2025

2025 Health Care Edition

$146M expansion on the horizon

Hospital looks to improve patient care

Methodist Hospital Northeast is a 237-bed facility that will be expanded by 78 beds after the construction of a three-story tower addition to the campus.

RENDERING COURTESY METHODIST HOSPITAL NORTHEAST

78 beds to the hospital and increasing capacity by 58 rooms, joins expansions completed in 2024, such as Methodist Plaza II and an outpatient surgery department. Northeast Chief Executive Ocer Jerrica George said the priorities behind the expansion are accessibility and additional capacity amid population growth, as well as continued quality care.

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

Methodist Hospital Northeast

Northeast San Antonio’s Methodist Hospital Northeast is continuing expansion in a major way. Over the next two years, the hospital, located at 12412 Judson Road in Live Oak, will be adding a three-story tower. This expansion aims to increase capacity while also enhancing services and the quality of patient care. The tower, a $146 million project adding

Live Oak

CONTINUED ON 14

Also in this issue Impacts: Read about a new Smoothie King opening in Schertz (Page 5)

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INSIDE

Government: Learn about waste rates increasing in Cibolo (Page 8)

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Garden Ridge

Impacts

482

Coming soon

3009

Selma

7 Slim Chickens The restaurant specializes in chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, wings and mason jar desserts, such as the chocolate brownie pudding jar dessert and the strawberry cheesecake jar dessert. • Opens in June • 7022 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio • www.slimchickens.com 8 Cibolo Food Mart Cibolo City Council approved a conditional use permit on March 11 for a convenience store with fuel sales. The convenience store—owned by Samir Maredia—will have a convenience store, gas station and three spaces for future tenants, according to agenda documents. • Opening April 2026 • 1636 FM 1103, Cibolo • No website or phone number available at this time.

VERDE PKWY.

1103

CORPORATE DR.

1604

OLD WIEDERSTEIN RD.

Cibolo

14B

S. MAIN ST.

VALHALLA

MOTTS PKWY.

14A

Live Oak

1518

Universal City

PAT BOOKER RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

4 Sage Rental Services The pump rental business oers submersible pumps, sound accentuated pump enclosures and high volume trash pumps. • Opened in April • 146 Motts Parkway, Cibolo • www.sagerentalservices.com 1518 Schertz

Now open

What’s next

1 Coliseum Trading Cards & Collectibles The business is owned by Josh Felice, who is a disabled veteran. The store also sells board games, plushies and Funko Pop collectibles. • Opened May 1 • 6000 FM 3009, Ste. 202, Schertz • www.tcgcoliseum.com 2 V Dental The general dentistry practice, operated by Brandon Villarreal, oers dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns, veneers and Invisalign. • Opened March 17 • 7689 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 106, Live Oak • www.vdentaltx.com 3 Extended Stay America The hotel chain has a communal area, meeting space, and 24-hour laundry room and 24-hour tness center. • Opened March 20 1604 1976

9 Action Behavior Center Northcli e Academy

The therapy clinic is opening its third Schertz location later this year, according to a listing with the Texas

Department of Licensing and Regulation. • 21430 Old Wiederstein Road, Schertz • www.actionbehavior.com

5 True Texas BBQ The barbecue restaurant—which opened inside H-E-B’s Schertz location—sells a range of meats including prime brisket, St. Louis pork ribs, turkey breast, sauced pulled pork and pork sausage link. • Opened May 7 6 Salata The restaurant chain sells wraps, build-to-order salads and teas. This is also the rst Salata location to have a separate kitchen available for online orders only, Catering Sales Manager Maris Watson said. • Opened May 12 • 18384 I-35 N., Ste. 101, Cibolo • www.salata.com • 17460 I-35 N., Schertz • www.truetxbbq.com

Relocations

10 Alavie Interventional Pain Management The clinic will be relocating from 12702 Toepperwein Road, Ste 104, to 12315 Judson Road, Suite 118 in Live Oak by July 1. Owned by Christian Samuelson and opened in 2018, Alavie Interventional Pain Management oers a wide range of pain management services.

• Relocating by July 1 • www.alaviepain.com

• 17648 Verde Parkway, Schertz • www.extendedstayamerica.com

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BY THOMAS LEFFLER & AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

11 Gameday Men’s Health Owned by Carla Flores and Clark Grabarkewitz, Gameday Men’s Health oers testosterone replacement therapy, vitamin injections, medical weight loss, hair restoration and more. • Opened May 6

Now open

Coming soon

• 17331 I-35 N., Ste. 103, Schertz • www.gamedaymenshealth.com

12 Velma’s Suite Life The salon—owned by Velma Abernathy—relocated from 7521 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 2, Live Oak to 9330 Corporate Drive, Ste. 407, Selma. Velma’s Suite Life oers hair extensions, highlights, women’s

haircuts and more. • Relocated May 19

15 East Coast Phades The barbershop—owned by Steele High School graduate Tommy Catalano—oers men's haircuts and beard trims. • Opened April 9 • 106 S. Main St., Cibolo • https://east-coast-phades.square.site

17 Smoothie King The franchise, owned by mother-son duo Delia Gaona and Isaiah Miguel Gaona, will oer protein bars and smoothies. • Opening mid-November, early December • 18476 I-35 N., Ste. 125, Schertz • www.smoothieking.com

• 9330 Corporate Drive, Ste. 407, Selma • www.vagaro.com/us04/hairbyvelma

In the news

13 Pediatric Heroes Primary Care Clinic Universal City Council approved a special-use permit for the clinic to occupy 2,000 square feet of space in the Coronado Shopping Center June 3. The clinic oers hearing and vision screening, immunizations, blood pressure screenings, and illness and injury treatment.

• There is no opening timeline available. • 958 Coronado Blvd., Universal City • www.pediatricheroes.com

18 Wayback Burgers The burger spot on Pat Booker Road was closed in May according to a lockout notice on the front door. With over 150 locations in the U.S., the Universal City location was one of 13 Wayback Burgers in Texas. • Closed in May • 3142 Pat Booker Road, Ste. 120, Universal City • www.waybackburgers.com

Closings

14 The Chamber (Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Area)

16 La Fiesta Patio Cafe The Tex-Mex restaurant announced on social media May 27 that the location is permanently closed. In business since 1974, the Instagram post apologized for the “unexpected early closure.” Future plans for the business are unknown at this time. • Closed May 27 • 1421 Pat Booker Road, Universal City • www.la©iestapatiocafe.com

The organization will celebrate its 20-year anniversary on June 21. The Chamber looks to improve commerce in Schertz, Cibolo, Selma and surrounding areas through various initiatives, such as luncheons, leadership programs, mentoring and community advocacy. The organization will celebrate its anniversary with a luncheon June 17. • 14A 1730 Schertz Parkway, Schertz 14B 9374 Valhalla, Selma • www.thechamber.info

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Government

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Universal City purchases property for Aviation District plan

an email to Community Impact . The UCEDC negotiated the purchase of the property in November 2020, according to agenda documents. The purchase allows the city to consolidate another lot into a larger area, making it more viable for a mixed-use development, said Michael Cassata, development services and economic development director. “It’s one key component to bringing the master plan to fruition,” Cassata told Community Impact . The property could be used for commercial services, residential, commercial retail or public parking, Cassata said. How we got here Following a May 6 executive session the dais approved the purchase of the property with a 5-1 vote. Council member Phil Vaughan—who had been the single dissenting vote—said it would require a lot of rezoning and force some businesses out, which made him uncomfortable.

Next steps The city will conduct a boundary survey and get an environmental assessment of the property, Turner said in the email. “We will get a title commitment to ensure there are no liens against the property or any unknown easements or conditions on the property that would prevent us from developing it in the future,” she said.

Universal City is one step closer to redevel- oping its East Aviation District after the City Council unanimously approved the purchase of 116 E. Lindbergh Blvd. on nal reading May 20. What residents should know The purchase is part of the city’s Aviation District Masterplan—a 10-15 year plan focused on redeveloping the East Aviation District. The East Aviation District serves as a commercial thoroughfare that is South of Pat Booker Road and a gateway into Randolph Air Force Base. The goal of the plan is to provide a public realm anchored with a well-dened town center and open spaces, according to previous reporting by Community Impact . The property is being purchased with annual funds from Universal City’s Economic Develop- ment Corporation, or UCEDC. However, the city is still in negotiations and not authorized to share the project cost, City Manager Kim Turner said in

Property purchased

Randolph Air Force Base

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

Parking improvements coming to Olympia Hills In a 4-1 vote, Universal City’s City Council awarded a contract to D&D Contractors on May 20 for Olympia Hills’ parking lot, sewer line and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades. Council member Bernard Rubal was the lone dissenting vote. The overview D&D Contractors was the lowest of six bids at $579,222. A total of $565,000 of the improvements will be covered by the Olympia Hills Golf Course Budget, with the remainder covered from Venue Tax. Sewer work is estimated to cost $151,267 out of the $579,222 allocated for the project. Digging deeper Council authorized sta to obtain estimated costs of construction for the expansion of the golf course parking lot in September 2024. City Manager Kim Turner told council that there were

Universal City Council lls vacant seat In a 3-2 vote, Universal City Council appointed William Shelby—a former City Council member—to replace resigned Council member Ashton Bulman during a special meeting May 29. Council members Bernard Rubal and Phil Vaughan were the two dissenting votes. How it happened Shelby’s appointment came after two other motions to appoint potential Council mem- bers Patrick Day and Kenneth Mitts failed. How we got here Bulman resigned from her seat during a May 6 meeting, following claims that she was being bullied. The oce of mayor or a council member becomes vacant upon the death, resignation, recall or removal from oce in any manner authorized by law or forfeiture of oce. When a vacancy occurs on the dais, the remaining members must appoint a qualied person to ll the unexpired term within 30 days, according to the city’s charter. What the dais is saying Council member Bear Goolsby made the motion to appoint Shelby. “I do believe that Shelby has a vision for the city that moves along in the direction that I see the city going,” Goolsby said. Vaughan said he voted not to appoint Shelby because there were other candidates he would prefer to see on council.

Olympia Hill Golf and Event Center

OLYMPIA PKWY.

MOUNT OLYMPUS

1604

1518

UNIVERSAL CITY BLVD.

issues with overow parking at the course going onto city streets and unapproved property. Council member Phil Vaughan said previous discussion centered on sewer line expansion because of the potential expansion of the course’s clubhouse. Public Works Director Randy Luen- smann told Vaughan that completing this work now would be much cheaper than at a future time. Stay tuned As of now, there is no completion timeline available for the project, according to agenda doc- uments. Council is also considering other future improvements to Olympia Hills and is currently waiting on an economic impact analysis of the venue to aid in its decision-making.

Comparing costs Universal City Council approved a contract with D&D Contractors for improvements to the Olympia Hills Golf and Event Center parking lot and sewer lines, according to agenda documents.

$864,528

$865,940

$844,945

$824,114

$773,719

$0 $200K $400K $600K $800K $1M

$579,222

West Hill Paving

D&D Contractors

Dirty Boys

Jerdon Enterprises

Slick City Contractors

Yantis Company

SOURCE: CITY OF UNIVERSAL CITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Live Oak’s 2022 bond projects nearing completion Live Oak City Council awarded a $391.8K contract to Clark Construction of Texas for the fourth and nal phase of its 2022 bond on May 27. In a nutshell pavement, according to agenda documents. How we got here Live Oak voters passed an $18 million bond in 2022 to be used for work on roads, bridges and

1 Baywave 2 Forest Ash 3 Forest Summit

4 Forest Stream 5 Fox Crest

FOREST CORNER RD.

ASHBY POINT

FOREST ASH

sidewalks. Next steps

BAYWAVE

Contract funds will be used for ve improve- ment projects on the following streets: Baywave, Forest Ash, Forest Stream, Forest Summit and Fox Crest. The cost will fund new concrete curbs, adjust existing manholes and adding new

WOODCREST PARK

The nal phase is anticipated to be completed by the end of July, Director of Public Works Mark Wagster said.

MARBLE LAKE

FOX CREST

SOURCE: CITY OF UNIVERSAL CITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Government

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

Cibolo waste costs increase

Cibolo waste collection fees Garbage and recycling pickup costs will increase by $4.94 for Cibolo residents.

What residents should know

Waste and recycling pickup City franchise fee

Household hazardous waste

Recycling once per week

Waste Connections was the least expensive option for receiving solid waste and recycling once per week, along with bulk and brush once every two weeks. Two of the other nalists—Frontier Waste Solutions and Republic Services of San Antonio—would cost $0.98 and $2.08 more for those services, respectively, according to agenda documents. The city’s previous agreement with Republic Services was for twice-a-week solid waste pickup, replaced by once-a-week service with an option to purchase an additional cart for $8.20 per month.

Chipper service

For the rst time since 2019, solid waste and recycling costs will increase for Cibolo residents. “It’s been 20 years since [we’ve] competed this franchise, the only option is to compete it again,” City Manager Wayne Reed said during a January 14 meeting. Cibolo City Council approved a waste and recycling franchise agreement with Waste Connections of Texas on May 13. The monthly cost per household will go from $16.95 to $21.89, eective July 28. The agreement is for a ve-year term and an optional ve-year extension. November 2006 City of Cibolo enters into franchise agreement with Bexar Waste 2017 Bexar Waste acquired by Republic Services of San Antonio February 2025 City issues Request for Proposals for Solid Waste and Recycling services April 2025 Council selects Waste Connections of Texas as vendor May 2025 Council approves franchise agreement July 28, 2025 New services begin

Current: $16.95

$2.09

$2.39

$11.47

As of July 28: $21.89

$0.63

$1.50

$1.99

$17.77

Next steps

More details

Due to the increase, the city will discontinue its chipper service as well as the spring and fall cleanup days, according to agenda documents. All residential customers will receive new 95-gallon carts, and damaged carts will be replaced free of charge during the contract. Pickup schedules will be split into ve dierent sections and will occur Monday through Friday, Waste Connections District Manager Zachary Ryan told council. An ocial schedule will be available by mid-June, and new carts will be delivered in mid-July, Ryan added.

Household Hazardous Waste curbside pickup is also part of the agreement, adding a monthly $1.50 to residents’ bills, according to agenda documents. Waste Connections will also pick up brush and bulk materials up to three cubic yards per house- hold every two weeks. Bids for Cibolo solid waste and recycling services Waste Connections of Texas Republic Services of San Antonio Frontier Waste Solutions

$5 $10 $15 $20

SOURCE: CITY OF CIBOLOCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Waste, recycling, bulk/brush pickup

Household hazardous waste pickup

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Government

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Seven years following the initial approval of the reconstruction of Tolle Road, the project remains at a standstill. The overview In a 4-3 vote on May 13, Cibolo City Council approved a resolution providing notice and intent to acquire property owned by multiple private landowners for the reconstruction of Tolle Road by donation, purchase or eminent domain. Council members Joel Hicks, Katie Cunningham and Norma Sanchez-Stephens were the three dissenting votes. “A lot of these are easement acquisitions, not actual land acquisitions. The land acquisitions are Cibolo looks to buy property for road project

more for the turn lanes,” Public Works Director Julio Gomez said. Zooming in The project—which includes full reconstruction of Tolle Road and drainage improvements in the area—was approved by voters in a November 2018 bond election as part of Proposition C. The city needs to acquire 13 easements for the recon- struction and drainage improvements to handle a ve-year ooding event, according to agenda documents. Easements are the legal right to use someone else’s private property for a specic purpose, according to the Texas State Law Library. In 2024, city sta began working with residents for the right of entry, or ROE, to proceed with sur- vey work and submit wastewater line construction plans to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which received approval in August. By the end of 2024, seven of 13 property owners signed ROE forms, but the remaining six have yet to be signed, which means the city will be unable to proceed to construction, agenda documents state.

Reconstruction project boundaries Tolle Road reconstruction project

1 101 Cibolo Tolle Road 2 143 Tolle Road 3 181 Tolle Road 4 549 Tolle Road 5 626 Tolle Road

6 672 Tolle Road 7 775 Tolle Road 8 591 Country Ln. 9 100 Janoe Ln.

1103

Cibolo

CIBOLO TOLLE RD.

373

354

NOTE: FOUR PROPERTIES ARE NOT LISTED BECAUSE THE PARCEL DID NOT HAVE AN EXACT NUMERICAL ADDRESS.

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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Transportation

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

3 FM 1518 Expansion Project: The expansion project is designed to enhance safety in a 5.6 mile stretch of FM 1518 in the Northeast San Antonio area, from the intersection of 1518 and FM 78 in Cibolo traveling south to I-10 in Selma. Existing roadway will expand to include two 11-foot lanes in each direction. Update: Aztec Way in Cibolo will be closed for an estimated three months beginning May 13, according to an email update from the Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT. • Timeline: spring 2024-2028 • Cost: $73 million • Funding sources: TxDOT

Ongoing projects

DOERR LN.

LOOKOUT RD.

1 Deer Creek Drainage Channel Project: According to the Cibolo Capital Improvements webpage, the city is currently improving Deer Creek Drainage, o Roy Richard Drive and between Deer Creek Boulevard and Dietz Road. Update: Construction is still ongoing. • Timeline: fall 2024-summer 2025 • Cost: $500,000 • Funding source: American Rescue Plan Act 2 Lookout Road Project: The reconstruction of Lookout Road from Schertz Parkway to Doerr Lane is currently in the design phase, according to documents from the May 6 Schertz City Council meeting. Also part of the project are trac signal installation at the Lookout Road and Schertz Parkway intersection, and replacement and upsizing of the existing sanitary sewer main. Update: After the design phase is complete, construction on the project will begin this summer, according to the city’s capital improvement project webpage. • Timeline: summer 2025-March 2026 • Cost: $6.73 million • Funding sources: Economic Development Corporation, city of Selma

ROY RICHARD DR.

DEER CREEK BLVD.

LIVE OAK RD.

1518

SCHERTZ PKWY.

Completed projects

4 Schertz SPAM Resurfacing Project: According to the city’s capital improvements webpage, the project is to preserve streets and increase Pavement Condition Index scores. Update: From April 2-10, various Schertz streets on the northern end of the city were applied with a slurry seal, a thick layer of sand and oil mixture spread on the surface of the street. • Timeline: November 2024-April 2025 • Cost: $2.4 million • Funding source: City bonds

1604

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Education

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

The Judson ISD board of trustees voted unan- imously to keep Judson Middle School, Candle- wood Elementary School and Franz Leadership Academy open, following over three hours of public comment during a special meeting May 21. What you need to know Discussions to close the schools stemmed from district ocials’ attempts to cut costs ahead of an anticipated budget shortfall. The district’s scal year 2025-26 base budget, without a voter-approved tax rate election, or VATRE, will have an anticipated shortfall of $40.82 million . If the district were to pursue a VATRE successfully, revenue would increase and reduce the shortfall to an estimated $27.79 million, according to a May 21 presentation. The closure of Judson Middle would have brought about $1.7 million in cost savings, according to a May 15 presentation. The closures of Candlewood and Franz Leadership Acad- emy—which were named as specic campuses for possible closures during a May 21 board meeting—would save the district an additional Judson ISD board votes to keep schools open

“We have about possibly $12 million more we’ll be adding to our budget if that VATRE passes. We did not mismanage funds; we are just not being paid what we should be to provide quality education in this community,” JOSÉ MACIAS JR., TRUSTEE

The Judson ISD board of trustees voted to keep three schools open following hours of public comment.

AMIRA VAN LEEUWENCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Approved cuts The Judson ISD board of trustees discussed and approved various cost-saving measures ahead of the 2025-26 school year.

Schools staying open 1 Franz Leadership Academy 2 Judson Middle School 3 Candlewood Elementary School

Teacher-student ratio increase: $2.65M *Compensation plan positions: $1.26M Library program restructure: $750K *District of Innovation teacher salary reduction: $177K

Live Oak

WURZBACH PKWY.

1516

WELCOME DR.

Windcrest

Conroe

Total $4.84M

1604

NOTE: THE NUMBERS IN THIS GRAPHIC HAVE BEEN ROUNDED. *COST OF PROPOSALS APPROVED AS OF PRESS TIME SOURCE: JUDSON ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

combined $1.7 million. What the board is saying

Kirby

certain groups face systemic disadvantages based on geography,” Walker said. “Students displaced by closures may struggle to adapt to new schools, face longer commutes and lose the support networks they had in their previous school.” Candlewood Elementary Assistant Principal Regina Miles said the proposal to close the school was more than a policy decision. “Schools like Candlewood are safe havens for many of our students. It is the only stable place that some of our students have. I have more to say, but I will speak for my kids every day. I have students that walk to school just to get a pair of shoes, so you can’t tell me that in this neighbor- hood, we don’t need a school. I have kids that

Trustee José Macias Jr. said that if an elemen- tary school needed to close in the future the district should look to closing the new, currently unopened Selma Elementary, as it would have less of an impact on the community. Board President Monica Ryan said she does not know where the district goes from here on budgetary matters. Trustee Suzanne Kenoyer, who opposed clos- ing schools without a proper process, encouraged the community to email and call state ocials. “A direct result of what they’re trying to do to public education is what you’re seeing happen here tonight. They need to fully fund public schools. It is in the state constitution,” Kenoyer said. Public input Claudia Walker, an early childhood special education teacher, said closures often target areas of low-income residents and communities of color. “This contributes to spatial injustice, where

CANDLEMEADOW

410

CANDLEGLENN

without a good plan for the community, teachers and students. Loren Orzechowski, a District 3 resident and Candlewood’s librarian, said JISD has poured a lot of taxpayer money into multiple projects for the school, like new plumbing and additional bathrooms, which were funded by 2016 and 2022 bonds. What’s next The board discussed additional cost-saving measures at a June 5 meeting, taking place after press time. The 2025-26 scal year budget is due to be approved by the board by June 30.

come on a daily basis just for the love.” Shawna Houlahan, a longtime district

employee, read a letter from Janie Franz—the widow of Edward Franz, whom the academy was named after in 1997—that questioned why the closures were brought up at the end of the year

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Health care Health Care Edition

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health Care edition. It’s a no-brainer that we’re experiencing rapid growth here in Northeast San Antonio. In this year’s edition, we’re covering expansion plans at Northeast Methodist Hospital and how increased capacity will improve eciency and the patient experience. We’re also highlighting how a local nonprot is lling a health care gap in Guadalupe County. Learn more about how local health care is evolving and meet the providers whose support helps Community Impact keep you informed. Thank you to our sponsor and advertisers for making this another great edition!

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What's inside

Learn about a new diabetic institute to opening in Live Oak (Page 16)

Check this the progress at University Health Retama Hospital (Page 16)

Read about lab renovations looking to improve patient imaging (Page 17)

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

3 updates from Northeast San Antonio Metrocom area hospitals

1 University Health Retama The planned hospital on the corner of Retama Parkway and Lookout Road had its topping out ceremony on April 14, with the nal steel beam put on the top of the 5-story construction. The hospital—slated to open in early 2027— will employ about 1,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, according to a news release. University Health Retama will have a 24/7 emergency department, advanced operating suites, radiology, laboratory and pharmacy.

2 Methodist Hospital Northeast The hospital was recently designated as a Level III Trauma Center, becoming one of 62 facilities recognized as such by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Level III centers include 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency physicians. Methodist Hospital Northeast CEO Jerrica George told Community Impact that the designation increases the amount of local patients they can keep at the hospital rather than making them travel further to other facilities.

3 Northeast Baptist Hospital This is the rst hospital in the area to use Stereotaxis technology to treat irregular heartbeats, the hospital’s website states. Stereotaxis is a non-surgical treatment for arrhythmia, which uses a remote magnetic navigation system to map arteries and heart tissue to be treated. The hospital says that use of Stereotaxis may help reduce risk of complications and increase patient safety, according to its website.

VILLAGE DR.

RETAMA PARK

410

Corner of Retama Parkway and Lookout Road, Selma www.universityhealth.com

12412 Judson Road, Live Oak www.sahealth.com

8811 Village Dr., San Antonio www.baptisthealthsystem.com

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

$146M expansion on the horizon From the cover

Why it matters

Explained

The elimination of double occupancy rooms, George says, allows for quicker transfer of patients into emergency rooms. She added that capacity constraints are something that’s experi- enced across the San Antonio area. “With extra capacity, we can move patients up into their private room more quickly so that they can get that care started,” George said. Je rey Fletcher, a board-certied cardiologist practicing with the Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio at the hospital, was part of a group of stakeholders giving input to the tower expansion. Fletcher said it’s important for patients to have a space free of outside noises, smells and other distractions. “There’s frank and honest and sometimes dicult conversations that are very dicult to have when you’ve got somebody behind a curtain next to you,” he said. “This is something that [sta has] heard [physicians] on, and we’ve been making this push towards getting rid of double occupancy for a while.” Impact of Methodist Hospital Northeast 8 operating suites 163 neurosurgery procedures 210 vascular and cardiovascular surgery procedures 237 bed facilities 948 robotic surgery procedures 1,000 orthopedic surgery procedures 8,519 cardiology procedures

cardiovascular and neurotrauma specialists. Both the second and third oors will have 34 beds and house all medical-surgical nurses, as well as telemetry monitoring or remote monitoring, De La Garza said. In total, increasing capacity by 58 beds will eliminate double occupancy rooms, De La Garza added. Aside from the new ICU and increased capacity, the tower expansion will renovate the Northeast kitchen and cafeteria, and leave shell space on the rst oor for future expansion. The kitchen and cafeteria will both expand in size, and every piece of kitchen equipment will be updated, De La Garza said. George said the cafeteria expansion is important due to its role as a “gathering spot” for families to feel a “little bit of normalcy” during a loved one’s hospital stay.

Expansion plans align with the rapid population growth of Northeast San Antonio, George said. All ve key Northeast San Antonio cities, those being Live Oak, Selma, Schertz, Universal City and Cibolo, have all grown in size since 2010, according to United States Census data. The most dramatic population jump occurred in Cibolo, adding over 12,000 residents from 2010 to 2020, an increase of 62.85%. The rst oor of the three-story, over 100,000 square-foot project will have a 14-bed Intensive Care Unit, or ICU, as well as managing inventory and expanding food services. George said the ICU will be Northeast’s second ICU, and can accommodate dierent specialists. Hospital ocials are working with physicians to see what they would want in the ICU, with a current plan to house both

Projected increase in population, 20202040 Northeast San Antonio’s population exploded in size over the past two decades, and the growth trend will continue through at least 2040. The increase is a main reason for expansions at Methodist Hospital Northeast.

Selma 81.61%

482

Live Oak 12.64%

1103

Cibolo 80.62%

1 Methodist Hospital Northeast

410 *POPULATION PROJECTIONS FOR UNIVERSAL CITY AND SELMA ARE FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AS THE CITIES DID NOT HAVE POPULATION PROJECTION INFORMATION AVAILABLE.

1604

1518

Universal City 9.57%

Schertz 67.32%

281

SOURCE: UNITED STATES CENSUS, LIVE OAK 2020 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, CIBOLO 2024 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, SCHERTZ PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN, TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD¤COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: PROCEDURE NUMBERS FROM 2024 SOURCE: METHODIST HOSPITAL NORTHEASTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

Methodist Plaza II Tenants 1 Alamo City Vascular Surgeons - Northeast 2 Boutique Mammography Center Northeast 3 Brain and Spine Institute of San Antonio 4 Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio 5 Methodist Cardiology Clinic 6 Northeast Pulmonary & Sleep 7 Oncology San Antonio Live Oak 8 Quest Diagnostics 9 Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio (Orthopedics) at Northeast 10 Urology San Antonio 11 Virtuosa GYN

Zooming out

Next steps

The hospital has also expanded its services over the past year. In September 2024, Northeast ocials celebrated the opening of a new 23,000 square-foot outpatient surgery department, which marked the completion of Methodist Plaza II. “It allowed us to expand our capacity for outpa- tient surgery in a very family and patient-friendly environment, but then also allowed us to open up some capacity at the hospital for our inpatients,” George said. Methodist Plaza II also houses hospital partners such as Alamo City Surgeons, Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio, Northeast Pulmonary Sleep Associates and Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio. “As our physician group kind of grew, we just didn’t really have space for anybody ... now we have a great, beautiful facility where we’re all on the same oor, [better] as far as eciency and the patient experience … the patients love it," Fletcher said.

Construction documents and permitting is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. Tower construction is slated to begin in January 2026 and be completed by July 2027, De La Garza said. Tower expansion milestones at Methodist Hospital Northeast 2024 • Sept.: Outpatient Surgery Department completes Methodist Plaza II facility • Winter: Construction and design begins 2025 • Summer: Opening of Methodist Diabetic Foot and Ankle Institute - Northeast • Dec.: Construction documents, permitting complete for tower expansion Jan. 2026 • Tower construction begins July 2027 • Tower expansion complete

2 3 4 8 10

5 9

6 11

Methodist Hospital NE

SOURCE: METHODIST HOSPITAL NORTHEASTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Health care

BY THOMAS LEFFLER

Methodist Hospital Northeast’s Interventional Radiology lab reopened in March following $2.7 million worth of renovations, Chief Executive O cer Jerrica George said. Renovations began in October and were completed at the end of February, Ashley Funkhouser, division director of media relations at Methodist Hospital, said. The original lab—which rst opened in 1994—now oers 3D imaging with its CT scans, allowing for “very precise” diagnoses and treatment, Chief Operating O cer Felicia De La Garza told Community Impact . Renovations aim to improve patient imaging

Diabetic institute to open in Live Oak Methodist Diabetic Foot and Ankle Institute - Northeast will open at 12412 Judson Road, Live Oak, this summer. The clinic is an extension of the existing program at Methodist Hospital in San Anto- nio, according to hospital sta. Why it matters The clinic will prevent limb amputations of those with diabetes, Chief Operating Ocer Felicia De La Garza said. “I think our patients here, especially in this area, have the need for [care of] peripheral vascular disease,” De La Garza said. Limb amputations can be the result of peripheral vascular disease, a narrowing of the blood vessels reducing blood ¡ow to the limbs, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website.

University Health hospital sees progress University Health Retama Hospital has crossed another construction milestone in Selma. The planned hospital on the corner of Retama Parkway and Lookout Road had its topping out ceremony on April 14, with the nal steel beam put on the top of the ve-story construction. What happened University Health spent $11.6 million on more than 40 acres to be used for a new hospital, one of three planned near San Antonio, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The hospital will have 166 beds to start, with potential for 286 total beds after full expansion of the facility. The hospital will employ about 1,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, according to a news release. University Health Retama will have a 24/7 emergency department, advanced operating

Why it matters

Methodist Hospital Northeast

Live Oak

The renovations give doctors the ability to take on more emergency cases, which helps them reduce the number of internal bleeding in trauma patients. Imaging technology upgrades have also reduced radiation exposure by two-thirds for patients and 50% for hospital sta, De Le Garza said.

Selma

RETAMA PARK

suites, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, as well as labor and delivery and other services. University Health Chief Operating Ocer Edward Banos said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a local hospital serving the Northeast San Antonio population. “What we saw during COVID is that having a single hospital without having a community hospi- tal can hamper us in times of need in making sure patients have access close to home,” Banos said. What’s next The hospital is still on track for an early 2027 opening, the news release states.

One example of 3D imaging is a CT scan that spins around a patient to be able to better see a tumor. Renovations updated equipment that was 30 years old, De La Garza said. Imaging technology upgrades oer better detail of blood vessel abnormalities that could lead to diseases like peripheral artery disease, according to a hospital news release. “Radiology in general is a diagnostic function of a hospital, but with this technology it can be just as much about treatment as it is diagnosing,” Interventional Radiology Supervisor Erik Mahoney said in the release.

Doctors celebrated the reopening of its Interventional Radiology lab on March 5.

COURTESY METHODIST HOSPITAL NORTHEAST

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

When it comes to vaccines, it's important to get the facts. The City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District knows that life moves fast and the last thing you want is to miss out due to an illness. Vaccines are safe and help your immune system fight off serious disease that can stop or change your plans. They protect you, the people you love and can prevent you from getting sick. Let’s get vaccinated—because when it comes to your health, it’s time to get real about vaccines and get the facts. For more information, visit SA.gov/Health Let’s Get Vaccinated

Scan the QR to find the nearest pop-up clinic near you.

Health care

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Volunteers in Medicine clinic oers medical, dental care for uninsured New Braunfels Christian Ministries’ Volunteers in Medicine clinic, located at 1239 W. San Antonio St., served 758 uninsured individuals in 2024. The clinic o ers free medical and dental care for uninsured individuals living in Comal or Guada- lupe counties with an income of less than 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. In Comal County, 13.3% of residents are unin- sured, and in Guadalupe County, 13.8% of indi- viduals are uninsured. In the state of Texas, 18.8% of residents are uninsured, according to 2022 U.S. Census Small Area Health Insurance Estimates. Under these guidelines, individuals would qualify if they made less than $39,125 per year, or $52,875 in a two-person household, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Two-minute impact The clinic—which covers multiple specialties like cardiology and urology—has a nurse practi- tioner, dental hygienist and registered nurse on sta . Local physicians will volunteer their time at the clinic or send a xed number of patients monthly to be seen for free, said Jim Wesson, New Braunfels Christian Ministries executive director. “A number of folks that live in that area struggle with transportation to get to New Braunfels, and so our ability to have that satellite clinic there helps serve those patients,” Wesson said. The nonprot organization’s mission is to share grace, kindness and encouragement to people, Wesson said.

Amy Miller, a clinic patient, said she learned that she had many undiagnosed, complex medical issues with the Volunteers in Medicine clinic.

COURTESY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE

The impact

“We know we’re not necessarily the only answer for health care needs for everyone, but we are one answer for people who don’t have insurance, and we’ve certainly been an answer for 758 patients in 2024,” Wesson said. Lend a hand Individuals can submit an online application to volunteer or donate. A $100 donation would underwrite one appointment, Wesson said. Notable quote Amy Miller, a clinic patient, said she learned that she had many undiagnosed, complex medical issues, and Volunteers in Medicine helped her with all of them. “This place has saved my life,” Miller told Community Impact .

758 patients served 6,746 appointments in total

5,933 of those total appointments were medical 813 of those total appointments were dental 54 individuals volunteered, logging 3,700 volunteer hours

SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS CHRISTIAN MINISTRIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

S. WALNUT AVE.

1239 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels www.nbcm.org/vim

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY SIERRA MARTIN & THOMAS LEFFLER

49th Annual Schertz 4th of July Jubilee This event includes a Let Freedom Run 5K at 9:15 a.m., followed by a downtown parade. Evening events beginning at 6 p.m. at Pickrell Park include a carnival, live music, Float & Fireworks, festival food and family zone activities. • July 4 • Free (admission) • Pickrell Park, 703 Oak St., Schertz • www.schertz.com

Make Music Day The San Antonio Botanical Garden and Alamo City Arts will host a free all-day music festival featuring over a dozen musical performances. The lineup for the event will include performances by the Heart of Texas Concert Band and Alamo City Brass Collective. Owl Prowl Event attendees will go on a nighttime stroll with Guadalupe Master Naturalists to see what animals come out at night. Individuals will learn about soil, plants, insects, mammals, birds and more. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. • June 22, 8:30-9:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • Crescent Bend Nature Park, 12805 W. Schaefer Road, Schertz • www.schertz.com Camel and Ostrich Racing Live racing of camels and ostriches will take place over two days, with ostriches racing after the third horse race of each evening, and camels racing after the sixth horse race. There is no wagering on camels and ostriches. Some dining options available. • June 27-28, 6:15 p.m. • $5-$50 • Retama Park, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma • www.retamapark.com/events Women’s Wellness Conference Join for a weekend designed to refresh the soul and renew the mind, with engaging speaking sessions and meaningful conversations. Speakers include Tasha Levert, Christine Corbett, Rachel DeBoy and Amy Sickel. Dinner included on June 27 and continental breakfast included on June 28. • June 27, 6-8 p.m. and June 28, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. • $75 • Discover Grace Church, 701 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City • www.discovergrace.church/events

Pre-registration is required. • June 21, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, San Antonio • www.sabot.org

June

July

Rag Quilt Party Find out one of the fastest ways to put together a quilt, beginner friendly since there’s no binding. Supply list for the class will be online. • June 20, 6 p.m. • $25 • Grome’s Sewing Machine Co., 2040 Universal City Boulevard, Universal City • www.gromes.com/products/ rag-quilt-party-beginner-quilt-class Music and Movies In The Park This event consists of £oating in the pool at Pickrell Park while watching “Lilo and Stitch.” Due to pool occupancy regulations, there will be pool capacity limits. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Reading Road Trip Join local children’s authors from South Texas and the Hill Country for an afternoon story time, Q&A session and meet and greet at the library.

• July 2, 2 - 4 p.m. • Free (admission) • Universal City Public Library, 100 Northview Drive, Universal City • www.universalcitytexas.gov/396/library

City of Selma Fireworks Show Kick oª Independence Day weekend with a spectacular §reworks show at Retama Park. Fireworks will start after the last horse race of the evening, with live races beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parking is free. • July 3, 6:15 p.m. • $5-$50 • Retama Park, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma • www.retamapark.com/events Cibolo Summer Nights at the Y This will be the third Cibolo Summer Nights event of 2025. YMCA membership is not required to attend the event.

• June 21, 7-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • Pickrell Pool, 701 Oak St., Schertz • www.schertz.com

Fantastic Terrors Blackbird Pro Wrestling presents a wrestling horror show with hard hitting matches, brawls and live music to accompany the §ghts. • June 21, 7:30 p.m. • $15 (online), $21 (at the door) • Cold Start Dab Co., 8806 Lockway St., San Antonio • www.allevents.in/live-oak/ fantastic-terrors/200027860805610

• July 11, 6:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • Cibolo Family YMCA, 176 FM 78 E., Cibolo • www.ymcasatx.org/cibolo

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

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