New Growth Planned for St. marys Strip Focuses on Daytime Business
SAN ANTONIO – A new development is planned for the St. Mary’s Strip in San Antonio, aiming to bring more daytime business to the entertainment district. Headwall Development‘s project, approved by the city council on Nov. 6, will include new buildings designed to attract businesses open during the day, alongside a 37-space parking lot off Rose Lane.
The project addresses concerns about the Strip’s reliance on nighttime activity and potential parking issues. While city staff initially recommended denying the parking lot portion of the plan due to neighborhood concerns, a compromise was reached that includes an eight-foot masonry wall and a gate that will close at midnight.The development is expected to be completed between April and June of 2026, and tenants for the new buildings have not yet been selected.
Concerns about parking were raised during zoning deliberations, particularly regarding weekend crowds. George Turner, a nearby resident, told the zoning commission at its Oct. 7 meeting, “(parking lots) aren’t the best petri dish for the nighttime activity that goes on around there.”
Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (D1),who represents the area,stated that a compromise had been reached with the developer. Headwall Development confirmed the gate and wall, with the latter planned for only part of the lot. The developer also indicated that while the parking lot could be opened for commercial use, it would only be before midnight to avoid competing with tenant customers.
“But it’s not a core piece of the business plan here, because it would compete with the parking of the tenants’ customers, and we don’t want to compete with the tenants,” saeid developer Wommack. He added that the buildings will be customized for the specific needs of the future tenants.