UT San Antonio Explores Next Phase of Downtown Expansion

• UT San Antonio is evaluating an undeveloped site along Dolorosa Street, immediately west of its new San Pedro II building.
• The university is prioritizing additional downtown student housing as it expands its academic footprint.
• Future development opportunities include sites near the planned downtown baseball stadium and sports and entertainment district.
• The university has not announced a finalized development program, construction budget or timeline for the Dolorosa Street property.

What UT San Antonio Is Considering for Its Next Development

The University of Texas at San Antonio is exploring another phase of downtown expansion, with university officials weighing options for an undeveloped site along Dolorosa Street near San Pedro Creek. The property, which is currently used as a parking lot, sits immediately west of San Pedro II, the university’s recently opened 180,000-square-foot academic building.

UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy said the university is still evaluating how best to use the site, which officials have informally dubbed San Pedro III. “We're keeping our options open on that location,” Eighmy said, noting that additional planning is needed before the university determines the best use for the property.

The potential project comes as UT San Antonio continues to consolidate academic programs and expand research facilities in the city’s urban core.

 

 

What Student Housing Means for Downtown Growth

Additional student housing is emerging as a key priority in the university’s broader downtown strategy. As more academic programs move into the urban core, UT San Antonio is looking to create a more complete campus environment that supports students beyond classroom hours. The university’s district planning initiative identifies housing, student services, dining, transportation and public spaces as important components of its long-term growth. The goal is to better connect its downtown locations and support a larger student population. While the Dolorosa Street site remains under consideration, UT San Antonio has not disclosed whether it will include housing, academic space or a mixed-use development. The project’s scale, delivery structure, financing and construction schedule also remain undetermined.

What San Pedro II Adds to the University’s Footprint

San Pedro II represents a major recent investment in UT San Antonio’s downtown presence. The 180,000-square-foot facility houses the university’s College of AI, Cyber and Computing, supporting academic programs and workforce development in technology-related fields. The building builds on San Pedro I, which opened in 2023, and the university’s broader effort to connect academic facilities with public spaces, research partnerships and activity along San Pedro Creek. As UT San Antonio continues to move programs downtown, demand for student services and supporting infrastructure is expected to grow alongside its academic footprint.

What the Nearby Sports and Entertainment District Could Bring

UT San Antonio is also watching development opportunities around the planned downtown baseball stadium and associated sports and entertainment district. The university’s Southwest Campus, which became part of UT San Antonio in 2022 through its integration of the Southwest School of Art, is near the emerging development area. Eighmy said the university is interested in the opportunities created by the stadium and surrounding development. The district could offer new connections between the university, nearby businesses and downtown visitors, while creating additional opportunities for academic programs and student engagement. University officials are also evaluating other downtown properties, including potential space for a School of Hospitality. Separately, the City of San Antonio is pursuing the purchase of the university’s former Institute of Texan Cultures site at Hemisfair, which could affect how UT San Antonio manages its real estate portfolio.

What Comes Next for UT San Antonio’s Downtown Plans

The university’s next steps will depend on ongoing planning and decisions about how best to accommodate future academic, residential and support-service needs. For now, the Dolorosa Street property remains an opportunity rather than a formally announced development project. UT San Antonio has emphasized that its downtown expansion is intended to complement, rather than come at the expense of, its other campuses. Further details about San Pedro III and other potential projects are expected as the university advances its long-term district planning.