City Manager Scott Huizenga said the community center has been a desired project by city staff since around 2017 but, with COVID-19 and supply chain issues, got pushed back after focus was put on the construction of a new city hall.
Huizenga said some of the primary concerns from residents not in favor of the center include parking issues, financing questions and other concerns about the construction of the facility.
What’s happening?
According to the final design of the project, which was presented to City Council on Jan. 16, the facility will include an open space with a capacity of around 200 people. A conference room, warming kitchen and restrooms are also planned for the facility.
Huizenga said the primary use for the community center will be for city meetings, offering a dedicated space for the City Council and other committees to discuss city business. City Council currently meets in a room in the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department.
“We primarily need a dedicated council chamber,” Huizenga said. “We need a place to hold elections because right now, especially for Bexar and Comal County residents, the closest polling place other than here is Shavano Park or UTSA.”
Alongside these uses, the facility will be used for community events, which community organizations can utilize for gatherings and forums.
While the project will raze the building which is part of the former ranch where the city started, Huizenga said the new design will be focused on making the community center fit in with the rest of the municipal complex and community.
“It really incorporates the feel and history of the ranch, while giving those amenities that we are looking for and don’t really have right now,” he said.
Project funding
The $2.5 million project will be funded through grants from the Municipal Development District, which is a Fair Oaks Ranch taxing entity established in 2009 with the purpose of providing a stimulus of economic growth within the city, according to the city website.
During the creation of the district, residents approved a 0.5 cent tax to be added to the municipal sales tax.
Funds from this district are used to help fund commercial, civic and governmental projects that will provide for economic, social and civic growth in the city.
“The MDD currently has just shy of $4 million in its fund,” Huizenga said. “Based on the current trajectory, it is programmed to earn between $500,000 and $600,000 each year in collections. So, that is a ripe funding mechanism for this.”
What they’re saying
Based on resident responses from the town hall in February 2024, the community center is a point of contention between residents who want a center to bring the community together and add character to the city, and residents who are against the construction of the center due to cost, parking and growth concerns.
Huizenga said there are around 94 spots currently on the city campus, and a shared use space across the street that features more than 90 spaces. At around 1.5 people per car, the facility should be able to house a max capacity of 200 people.
To ensure capacity, the city staff completed an analysis of the parking area. While the municipal campus offers adequate parking, Huizenga said parking is likely not going to be a concern due to most city meetings and events not drawing in that large of a crowd.
What’s next?
According to the project timeline, the bid on the community center is expected in the next six to eight weeks, and construction is projected to begin in May.
Should everything go as planned, Huizenga said the project is expected to be completed by mid to late 2026, with the goal of having the project completed during the summer.
The bid for the project will be discussed by City Council during a future meeting.
