San antonioโข Invests $20 Million to Transform Historic Fort Sam Building into Military Health Hub
SAN ANTONIO, โTX – San Antonio and โBexar County are committing a combinedโ $20 million to renovateโค a 1930s-era building at โFortโค Sam Houston,โค preparingโข it to house the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The investment aims to attract jobs andโ economic activity as theโค DHA consolidates operations, with officials emphasizing the city’s readiness to partner with the new โขmanagement’s โขgoals.
The project focuses on the โฃhistoric Merchants Ice building, poised to become a key component of the military health system. City and county leaders believe the renovations will not only support โthe DHA’s โคmission but alsoโข inject millions of dollars into โฃthe local economy through jobโ creation andโฃ increasedโ spending. Every uniformโข assigned to the city represents a job, and those individuals and their familiesโ contribute to schools, โขhousing, and local businesses, according to city officials.
“This โคhas been a tangible investment. โIt is something thatโ we’ve committedโ to,” โCity Manager Erik Walsh told the city โcouncil Thursday.
The unanimous council vote to seek โadditional state funding โsignals a strong commitment to supporting Fort Sam Houston’s growth. Bexar County isโค also planningโ to pursue state funds. The DHA did not respond โฃto โa request for comment Thursday, โฃciting the ongoing goverment shutdown.
Former Pentagon official and current city representative Elizabeth Jones underscored the importance of San Antonio presenting a unifiedโฃ front to the federal government. “Having been โonโฃ the other side of this, it’s about, how do we make sure folks understand weโ are ready and willing to partner?” she said.
the renovations at Fortโค Sam Houston are part of a largerโ effort to modernize and consolidate military health operations, positioning San โAntonio as aโ vital hub forโค the DHA.