By W. Scott Bailey – Senior Reporter, San Antonio Business Journal
A vision for transforming Seguin’s downtown district, years in the making, is about to become far more real.
The historic city, roughly 36 miles east of San Antonio, has selected an Austin-based developer to carry out its plan, which could ignite significant new economic momentum in the region.
“The Seguin City Council has authorized the city to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with GroundFloor Development for The Nolte project,” said Joshua Schneuker, executive director for the Seguin Economic Development Corp.
GroundFloor is proposing a mixed-use development that could feature a boutique hotel as well as event, meeting, retail and restaurant spaces. The redevelopment could serve a broader downtown area and would preserve the Nolte Building, which dates back to the late 1800s.
“The city sees The Nolte project as a catalytic redevelopment effort that can usher in a new era for downtown Seguin,” Schneuker said.
This isn’t new turf for GroundFloor, which has worked on multiple mixed-use projects, including one with the City of Garland that has caught the attention of Seguin stakeholders.
“GroundFloor has extensive experience with similar projects,” said Andrew Douglas, principal architect for TBA | Douglas, a San Antonio-based firm that’s working with Seguin officials on the city’s downtown plan. “We believe they did a good job responding with a vision that aligns with city and community goals and objectives.”
I reported in spring 2023 that, in an effort to capitalize on significant growth and heightened investment opportunities in the region, Seguin officials were seeking to utilize existing structures better and revitalize the city’s downtown area.
Officials have continued to pursue a plan that can ignite new economic activity. Last summer, stakeholders homed in on the multi-building site near Central Park. That plan has since gained significant traction and a potential partner.
“GroundFloor Development has a strong track record that gave the city confidence in their ability to deliver on the vision for this project,” Schneuker said.
Multiple parties have shown a keen interest in the city’s vision.
“It’s been amazing, through this process, to see developers’ reaction to downtown Seguin,” Douglas said.
“The city and GroundFloor will collaborate to move this proposal from concept to a formalized development plan,” Schneuker said, noting that the process could be completed within the next 150 days.