By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
City council members have unanimously approved selling a property the city owns at 500
Hernandez St.
During the Tuesday regular meeting, council members discussed the potential sale, lease or
alternative use of the city-owned property described as Blum Block 31, Lots 1-20, located on
Hernandez Street.
City Manager Shawna Burkhart said one entity is interested in leasing the property and another
is interested in purchasing it “for full development.” She asked what decision the council wanted
to make about the eventual status of the lot. Councilman Randy Quiñones made a motion to sell
the city the property, and Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. gave the second.
As mentioned in the memo included in the agenda packet, selling the property will generate a
one-time capital influx while leasing creates ongoing income for the city. Either decision will help
reduce city maintenance costs for improving and managing the property.
The property was first acquired by the city following the approval of an ordinance in a June 2023
council meeting. The city purchased the property from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, which
agreed to sell it to De Rio for $560,000.
Former City Manager John Sheedy recommended the council to approve purchasing the lot in
the June 2023 council meeting. Sheedy said it was a good opportunity to acquire the property
for the price asked, and he envisioned it being used to house equipment for the public works
department.
