The U.S. General Services Administration, or GSA, announced the transfer of over 240 acres of land in San Marcos on Feb. 5. A portion of the land was sold to the city of San Marcos earlier this year for $1.68 million, removing it from the federal inventory.
At a glance
The mostly vacant land, located east of the San Marcos Regional Airport, is now owned by Texas State University and the city of San Marcos.
The two former U.S. Department of Labor properties were disposed of in an effort to rightsize the federal footprint and reduce government waste, according to the GSA.
San Marcos purchased nearly 170 acres of the land for $1.68 million, planning to utilize it for an airport expansion. The project is expected to increase economic activity and traffic into the city, according to the GSA.
The purchase was approved by the San Marcos City Council on Aug. 5, 2025, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The city hopes to support development on the land that will attract new businesses and create local jobs.
The land purchased will help the city preserve an essential transportation asset and ensure compatibility between the airport and its surrounding land for future development as San Marcos grows, San Marcos City Manager Stephanie Reyes said in a statement.
Zooming out
The GSA transferred 75 acres of the land to Texas State University in March 2025. The plot of land includes a cluster of 16 buildings near William Pettis Road.
The university will continue to use the acquired buildings to expand its Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center, according to the GSA.
The facility provides services for first responders to address active-shooter events, including:
- Active-shooter response training
- Evaluating active shooter events in its criminal justice research department
- Assisting in improving law enforcement best practices
