CASTLE HILLS, Texas – Now that the landmark Castle Hills First Baptist Church is up for sale, city leaders envision a multi-use development in its place.
“It’s prime real estate,” said Mayor Tim Howell.
Pastor Don Long said the church may move to another central location or have several campuses for its members, like its ministry in Leon Springs. He said its school would not be part of the sale.
Long said the 20-acre campus is being listed by Valcor Commercial Real Estate. According to Bexar County Appraisal District records, the property was assessed last year at just over $5 million.
However, being a church, the property was tax exempt, but if it’s sold, it could begin generating needed tax revenue.
“I would say six figures, I’m hoping,” said Castle Hills City Manager Diane Pfeil.
She said it could be even more if a high end mix of condos and retail is built in the heart of Castle Hills.
“Will the tax dollars help? Absolutely,” she said.
Howell said current city leaders inherited aging infrastructure.
“It will help our drainage, our streets, everything involved in the maintenance of our city,” Howell said.
The church property borders N.W. Military Highway. The mayor called it “an economic corridor” just off Loop 410.
Pfeil said although the area is primarily residential, “We’re on a commercial corridor and we need to admit that.”
But she said it would need a buffer to preserve the neighborhood’s integrity.
Howell said he doesn’t want to see a big box store.
He and Pfeil said they’d rather see a development similar to the Pearl or the Alamo Quarry in San Antonio.
“We can do that,” Howell said. “We can do that in Castle Hills.”