Press Release

H-E-B Enters Into Partnership With Deco-District Neighborhood Coalition On Store Renovation

10/01/2001
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS --- H-E-B and the Deco-District Neighborhood Coalition have entered into a full partnership after reaching an agreement about the expansion and rebuilding of the H-E-B store located in the historic area. The existing store is located at 2118 Fredericksburg Road.

At 10 a.m. on Monday, October 1, H-E-B hosted a press conference at the store to announce the partnership that is a result of a formal Community Agreement that was signed by the leaders of the coalition and H-E-B. The Neighborhood Coalition is comprised of the Monticello Park Neighborhood Association, the Jefferson Neighborhood Association, the Los Angeles Heights/Keystone Neighborhood Association and the Woodlawn Lake Community Association.

Mayor Ed Garza, who resides in the Jefferson area and shops at the store that is to be rebuilt, has voiced his support of the project as n center-city investment and stated that he will champion the issue before City Council when the resolution passes the city's zoning and planning commissions.

Located at the intersections of Fredericksburg Road, Hildebrand and West Avenue, the current H-E-B store will be razed and replaced by a larger store with an architectural design consistent with the Art Deco area. The Art Deco styling is prevalent in the neighborhood surrounding the store site.

"We are dedicated to our role as a good community partner in the neighborhoods we serve. H-E-B is pleased to have reached an understanding with the Neighborhood Coalition," said Greg Flores, H-E-B public affairs director. "The expanded store will give H-E-B the opportunity to not only add more product selection for our shoppers, but also infuse the area with economic benefits such as the creation of new job opportunities and tax revenue."

The new cream-colored store with chrome and glass accents will expand on the existing store by a minimum of 65 percent and add 177 new jobs to the area, including 53 full-time jobs. The expanded store is also expected to generate about $182,000 in tax revenue for various jurisdictions.

Agreed upon plans for the new store include a fuel island, on the Hildebrand side of the property, also in Deco style, and the use of unique building signage and graphics depicting the Deco motif. A majority of the healthy and mature trees that are currently on the site will remain where possible and the site's new landscaping will include new palm trees, shade trees, and pedestrian pathways with distinctive paving leading from bus stops and street corners to the store's front entrance.

"I commend H-E-B for demonstrating yet again their commitment to being active partners in the communities that surround their store locations," said Noel Suinga, Executive Director, Jefferson/Woodlawn Lake Community Development Corporation. "I believe that H-E-B's new store will not only serve as a landmark within the Deco District, but it will also be the premier store within San Antonio and South Texas."

Founded in Kerrville, Texas in 1905, H-E-B employs 50,000 employees and operates 295 stores throughout Texas, Louisiana, and internationally in Mexico.

For more information call:
Trish DeBerry or Marcie Casas,
210-223-2772 or 210-884-8070