UTSA continues downtown development with San Pedro II to advance workforce initiatives and job creation for San Antonio

The new San Pedro Creek extension weaves a path between San Pedro I (left) and the site where San Pedro II will be constructed (right).

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 — The UT System Board of Regents today approved the next phase of The University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) downtown development initiatives.

While amplifying the cyber security and data science programs in San Pedro I, the new Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Careers (IEC) building, to be known as San Pedro II, will introduce additional interdisciplinary and collaborative programs in business, engineering and sciences to empower students for fulfilling careers through immersive, hands-on learning experiences.

The new building is supported by investments of $52,409,972 from State of Texas Tuition Revenue Bond proceeds and $72,000,000 from University of Texas System Permanent University Fund bond proceeds.

“I am grateful for the support provided by the Legislature during its 87th session and to The University of Texas Board of Regents and University of Texas System for providing the funds for this project,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “This investment of over $124 million extends our efforts, launched in 2018, to support national security, cybersecurity, and data sciences here in San Antonio. We continue to drive work force development and job creation in this ecosystem.”

Constructed just across the San Pedro Creek from San Pedro I, which includes the School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration Center, San Pedro II will leverage opportunities for academic programming and research collaborations among programs in both buildings.

“The new building, centrally located in the technology district, will bring new vibrancy to downtown San Antonio.”

A view of the site where UTSA's San Pedro II will be built, as seen from the walkway at San Pedro I.

The San Pedro II development project will allow UTSA to draw on the broad opportunities that exist in San Antonio to address the city’s pressing workforce needs, to connect UTSA students with experiential learning and career-engagement opportunities, and to provide training to prepare students for careers in interdisciplinary fields such as cybersecurity, computer and data sciences.

By directly connecting the business community and university students, UTSA expects to spur economic development through internships and career-focused learning that contributes to social and economic mobility for students.

“UTSA is laser-focused on preparing our students for their careers and bold futures. This expansion of our downtown footprint reflects our intentionality in situating our academic offerings and learning experiences in the heart of our city’s business community,” said UTSA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy. “With this new building, we can expand career-focused internships, externships, other hands-on experiences and collaborative projects with our business partners. Employers directly benefit, as well, through first access to talented students, creating mutual opportunities for economic prosperity.”

UTSA has focused on strengthening its downtown presence as a catalyst for bringing more business to the core of downtown and supporting the growth of San Antonio.

“The new building, centrally located in the technology district, will bring new vibrancy to downtown San Antonio,” said UTSA Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Veronica Salazar. “San Pedro II represents significant growth in downtown development, with Dolorosa Street serving as an important connection between the UTSA Downtown Campus and the new UTSA Southwest Campus.”

An ad hoc planning committee has been charged with the development of detailed programming for the building, including consultation with college deans, program directors, and the Space and Planning Advisory Committee to ensure a robust shared governance process.

UTSA has engaged Overland|Gensler to begin the process of designing the new building, with plans to break ground in summer 2023. San Pedro II is expected to be 180,000 square feet, with a total project cost of $124 million. With a focus on indoor/outdoor connections and reconfigurable spaces for multipurpose use, the building will be designed with innovation and adaptability in mind to serve UTSA students, faculty and staff downtown for decades to come. The new building will be inclusive to the public through spaces for community programs, as well as meeting and conference spaces.

San Pedro I and San Pedro II are part of place-making efforts to revitalize this historic area, which includes the recent redevelopment and addition of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. The buildings will connect classrooms and meeting spaces inside with the outdoor venues and public art of the park, creating an ecosystem that supports students and the community as they look toward the future of San Antonio.

— Brandie Yale