Port San Antonio

The closure of Kelly resulted from the U.S. Department of Defense’s 1995 Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) initiative.[4] The base, which was first established in 1917 as Kelly Field,[5] formally closed in August 2001.[6]

As realignment and closure of the Kelly assets began to occur between 1995 and 2001, the Greater Kelly Development Authority (GKDA) was created as a base development authority in accordance with Chapter 379B of the Texas Local Government Code.

Rebranded as Port San Antonio in 2007, it is a political subdivision of the state of Texas. Its 11-member of board directors is appointed by each member of the San Antonio City Council. Jim Perschbach, Port San Antonio's President and CEO since 2018, oversees day-to-day activities.[7]

Though created by government, the Port is operationally independent. It has no taxing authority nor does it receive operational funds from any governmental entity. Its annual income is obtained through various real estate activities — including leasing, property management and construction management within its footprint. Annual profits are re-invested to support further redevelopment and related economic development activities.

Rendering of exterior of upcoming innovation center at Port San Antonio (credit: Port San Antonio / RVK Architects)

While long-standing industries such as aerospace, logistics and manufacturing continue to thrive at the Port, the campus has become a global center for advanced technology in recent years by strengthening a unique ecosystem that grows connections and collaboration among tech innovators. Through the organization's Tech Port vision, industries based here are connecting with one another as they deliver technological innovations that are transforming mature industry sectors in our region, across the country and around the world.

As part of this vision, the Port is creating a world class innovation center that will further grow the large tech campus. Scheduled to open in 2022, the 130,000 square-foot technology showplace will contain the following features:

Virtual reality exhibition.

Museum/Industry Showroom: The innovation center will be the new home for the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMAST) and other education and cultural entities. Additionally, an adjacent industry showplace will highlight innovations being developed at the Port and throughout the region, giving audiences a glimpse into innovations and related careers in their community. The center will also serve as a showroom — much like a permanent world’s fair pavilion with rotating exhibits — that allows industry participants to sell their technologies locally, nationally and globally.

Co-Working/Maker Spaces: An area for professionals from many disciplines to come together to work closely in the creation of new technologies, and to develop the next generation of innovators. Adjoining the co-working area will be an ample maker space—an industrial laboratory that allows collaborators to develop and test prototypes of integrated technologies.

Groundbreaking innovation.

Technology Arena and Conference Center: A magnet for the public, industry and educators alike is a state-of-the art technology arena with an expected capacity of 2,500 guests. Large video monitors and other equipment will provide San Antonio with its first grand virtual showcase. The space can be configured as an auditorium or conference center to hold large meetings and conduct demonstrations and training programs in cybersecurity, virtual and augmented reality and other technologies. It will also be available to local educators and national events that include Cyber Patriot competitions that support the development of the skills of the next generation of digital experts. And it will also serve as an electronic gaming arena—a recreational venue drawing young people from throughout the community and connecting them with the museum and collaborative educational components of the innovation center.

Integrated virtual technology throughout the facility will give it global reach. Features will include teleconferencing systems that facilitate greater collaboration among researchers and educational institutions. It will also be equipped with broadcasting capabilities to stream entertainment and other content developed at the innovation center in real-time to audiences that could number in the millions.

Rendering of technology arena at upcoming innovation center at Port San Antonio (credit: Port San Antonio / RVK Architects)

Upon completion, the innovation center will be operated by ASM Global. The Los Angeles -based company manages over 300 stadiums, convention centers, theaters, and unique venues around the world. It also specializes in organizing its hosted activities, which include conventions, sporting events, gaming competitions, and concerts, as well as business, cultural and entertainment offerings.

Of particular significance, the innovation center will increase the reach of innovative learning experiences that inspire and educate people—from K-12 students to working professionals—and guide them toward career and entrepreneurial pathways involving the tech breakthroughs originating in the region.

Ongoing efforts that will be expanded at the innovation center include the work of the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT).

The nonprofit first established its operations on the campus in 2017 in an existing 16,000-square-foot facility (a former military chapel) near the site of the upcoming innovation center. The museum has worked closely with area school districts to deliver innovative STEM/STEAM programs to tens of thousands of students throughout the region..

The Boeing Company’s San Antonio site, which features the world's largest free-standing, high-bay aircraft hangar - able to accommodate up to 15 wide-body aircraft at a time.

Industrial Airport – Approximately 1,000 acres along the Port’s runway include several large hangars and workshops that support private-sector manufacturing and aerospace/aircraft maintenance employers. Many of these properties have direct access to Kelly Field (SKF)—at 11,500 feet (3,505 meters) in length, the region’s largest runway. The airfield is owned and operated by the Port’s military neighbor, JBSA Lackland. Port customers have access to the airfield through a joint-use agreement the organization entered into with the Air Force in December 2013.[8] The majority of air traffic generated by Port San Antonio are aircraft that undergo maintenance or other modifications with one of the Port’s tenant customers. Air cargo and general aviation operations are also supported by the on-site fixed-base operator, Atlantic Aviation.

Principal tenant customers located at the Port’s industrial airport include The Boeing Company, Chromalloy, StandardAero, Atlantic Aviation, GDC Technics, GoAeroMX, Forward Air Solutions and Indo-MIM.[9]

Railport – Near the Port’s main campus is a 350-acre rail-served industrial park. Initially established by the U.S. Army in 1918 as Camp Normoyle, which housed a repair shop for military motor vehicles, the site was eventually annexed by Kelly Air Force Base in 1945 and renamed East Kelly.[10] Today, it is known as Port San Antonio’s East Kelly Railport.

Warehouse and distribution facility located at the East Kelly Railport.

Redevelopment activities at the rail site began in 2007, with a focus on supporting logistics and manufacturing activities.[11]

In 2010 the Port entered into a partnership with Watco Companies, a short-rail line developer and operator, which established the San Antonio Central Rail Road (SACRR).[12] The switching operation transfers railcars from Union Pacific and BNSF Railway trains outside the Railport (from the adjacent South San Antonio Classification Yard, operation by Union Pacific) and relocates them to third-party logistics and manufacturing facilities operated by the Port’s tenant customers.

As part of the 2010 agreement, Watco also built an additional four miles (6.4 kilometers) of track within the Railport—allowing the property to grow its capacity four-fold, from a maximum of 5,000 railcars that could be processed per year to its current annual capacity of 20,000 railcars.[13]

24th Air Force / Cyber Command

Principal tenant customers at the Railport include GBW, CIG Logistics, The OpTech Group, Fiesta Warehousing and Distribution and XPO Logistics.

Force-Protected Complex – On the main Port property is a 70-acre site consisting of five buildings within a fenced perimeter. Informally known as Lackland Annex, the office facilities totaling 690,000 square feet serve as national headquarters for several Air Force and other Department of Defense operations.[14]

The complex is a result of a 2007 amendment to the leaseback agreement between the Port and the Department of Defense. Under the revised agreement, the Air Force relinquished control of several smaller properties it still occupied throughout the Port campus. In exchange, those operations - along with several new missions - would be consolidated at Lackland Annex.

Paul Roberson Building, which houses several Department of Defense contractors and cyber security firms.

Between 2008 and 2012 the Port also managed $60 million in upgrades to the former Kelly Air Force Base buildings that today comprise Lackland Annex. The improvements conducted by the Port allow the property to meet anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) standards. Features include construction of a fenced perimeter and secure entrance gates, progressive-collapse protection, and redundant telecommunications and power systems.

Principal tenant customers at the force-protected complex include the national headquarters for the 24th Air Force (informally known as the Cyber Command), the Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) and the Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC).[15] Approximately 6,000 civilian and uniformed employees work at Lackland Annex.

Mixed-Use Properties – Approximately 400 acres at the Port are occupied by former Air Force office, residential and other mixed-use facilities.[16] Included are various historic buildings, including a bungalow colony that served as officer housing in the 1920s,[17] several duplex residences that are significant examples of 1930-40’s art deco revival, and the former base’s original headquarters building, which was originally erected during World War II.

The Port has repurposed former Air Force buildings and engaged in new construction to accommodate various office and residential functions.

An 89,500-square-foot facility, which was formerly used by the Air Force and now serves as office space. In 2010, it received $9 million in upgrades and is now certified LEED-Gold.

In 1999 the young redevelopment authority built the Roberson Building—a three story, 80,000-square foot facility that originally served as administrative office space for incoming private-sector aerospace employers as the site began its transition from base to development authority. Today, that facility accommodates several Department of Defense contractors who support clients at Lackland Annex and elsewhere in the region. In particular, with the growth of the 24th Air Force / Cyber Command at the Port, several new tenants are vendors who provide cyber security support to on-site Department of Defense operations.

In 2010 the Port conducted $9 million in upgrades to a former Air Force office building. The 89,500-square foot facility in now certified LEED-Gold, and serves as office space for administrative and business support operations.[18]

Principal tenant customers at the mixed-use center include Conduent, Radiance Technologies, General Dynamics, Booz Allen Hamilton, Dynamic Advancement, Northrop Grumman and IPSecure.

Gateway Residences at Port San Antonio

The mixed-use properties also include the Gateway Residences at Port San Antonio (formerly Billy Mitchell Village Apartments) —374 townhome-style units of former housing. The complex was first built by private investors in 1949 and located immediately across the base. In 1960 the Department of Defense purchased the property and incorporated it within the fence line to serve as family housing for enlisted soldiers.

In 2010 the Port began redeveloping the property and upgrading several units—offering them as housing to the general public. Between 2011 and 2016 the Port upgraded 80 units. To accelerate to process, the organization entered into an agreement in 2016 with Dallas-based Granite Redevelopment as part of a $20-million effort to rehab nearly 300 remaining units.[19] Approximately half of residents at Gateway Residences work for employers at the Port, while the other half are employed by other entities in the region.

The entire Port property is contained within a foreign-trade zone (FTZ #80-10), allowing for the deferral or elimination of import duties.

A U.S. Customs facility at the Port’s industrial airport allows aircraft from abroad to clear customers directly at the site.

• San Antonio: At the Crossroads of Opportunity - May 2012
• Boeing will work on record number of C-17 aircraft in San Antonio this year - Apr. 9, 2014
• San Antonio’s Lockheed Martin Commercial Engine Solutions lands huge contract - Nov. 5, 2014
• Port SA: Growing San Antonio’s Stake in Aerospace - Mar. 23, 2015
• Port SA: Growing San Antonio’s Stake in Aerospace, Pt. II - Mar. 24, 2015
• Port San Antonio clears 170-acre industrial tract to prepare for aerospace, manufacturing expansions - Aug. 24, 2015
• Port San Antonio closer to landing India firm, hundreds of new jobs - Oct. 28, 2015
• International economic development crucial for S.A. - Dec. 21, 2015