An artist’s rendition shows what the Converse Station plaza is expected to look like once it opens in January 2009.

By Jeff B. Flinn
Managing Editor

Business and recreation development take another step forward in Converse this week, as Friday’s Converse Station ground-breaking ceremony and North Park pavilion rededication signify continues trends of growth.

After the old Berk Case Building on Gibbs-Sprawl Road was torn down, the city has looked for development of the high-traffic corner across from fire station no. 1. A decision to remove the Schumann Pavilion on Station Street and relocate it to Converse North Park freed up even more acreage – leading to development of the Converse Station plaza on the existing land.

Becky Johnson, of Salitrillo Creek Partners, is leading the way with the 17,000-square-foot development.

“There’s no way around the expansion that’s going on around here,” Johnson said in discussing the development, which features 12,000 square feet fronting Gibbs-Sprawl and another 5,000 on School Street, where the pavilion once stood.

The Schumann pavilion was disassembled in mid-April and moved to its new home, bringing welcomed cover and picnic facilities to the developing North Park lake area.

Friday’s ceremony starts with a 2 p.m. ground-breaking at the new retail center. At its conclusion, a caravan of attendees will receive a fire-truck escort to North Park, where the city will rededicate the Melvin “Red” Schumann Memorial Pavilion.

Johnson said she’s excited about the development.

“We’d been hoping for an opportunity some something like this, some family-oriented development,” she said. “This is going to make a big presence there, and we’re expecting a lot of local traffic coming in that way.”

The close proximity of the fire station and neighboring Town Square and Vantage apartments bode well for businesses that are looking to expand into just such an environment, she said.

“We’re talking to a caterer, a bridal shop, River City Gymnastics will be opening soon … we need a coffee shop in there, something the fire department is really excited about.”

The average size of units will range from 1,500-1,800 square feet, with 1,200 being a minimum. She said she expects the building to be ready for tenant occupancy in January 2009.

“We want to try to start bringing jobs, so we don’t have people having to drive clear across town to work.”