Door May Be Open for Microsoft
By L.A. Lorek, San Antonio Express-News
Jan. 6–The largest contiguous parcel remaining in Westover Hills has been converted from residential to commercial zoning, a move that could clear the way for an enormous Microsoft Corp. data center.
San Antonio developer Charles “Marty” Wender would not confirm that the 115-acre property is designated for Microsoft. He would only say several buyers are looking at the parcel.
However, a Microsoft spokeswoman said in an e-mail Friday that the company is still working on its plans for San Antonio and would have more news to share Jan. 18.
Last month, Microsoft confirmed that it was looking here for a new building, and people familiar with the deal say the software giant is close to announcing plans to build a $980 million data center in Westover Hills. The 470,000-square-foot data center would employ about 100 people.
The rezoning of the large Westover Hills parcel occurred Dec. 21, and Wender also dedicated 2 acres of the tract to the city for roads, according to papers filed with the county. Wender is extending Rogers Road beyond Wiseman Boulevard.
The 115-acre site starts at the intersection of Rogers Road and Wiseman Boulevard and is next to the Westover Baptist Medical Campus that’s nearing completion. The site is across the street from the $68 million Lowe’s data center that’s under construction.
Representatives from CPS Energy met with Microsoft officials in Washington this week to talk about incentives for the new data center, according to a source close to the project. The project is expected to consume more energy than Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Texas’ new Tundra plant.
The data center needs to be near the Lowe’s building to share infrastructure, the source said.
Robert Peche, the city’s interim economic development director, said he wasn’t aware if the Rogers Road expansion related to a specific project.
“Marty’s cutting roads into Westover Hills all the time,” Peche said.
He declined to comment on anything related to Microsoft.
Commissioner Paul Elizondo, who represents parts of the 1,270-acre Westover Hills, said the county didn’t have anything definite on Microsoft yet, but “we’ve been courting them.”
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