The Westside Development Corp. choose a potential partner for its renovation of Basila Frocks, a blighted neighborhood landmark.
The nonprofit will consider a memorandum of understanding this week to enter discussions for a partnership agreement with The DreamOn Group, a local development and property management firm founded by Julissa Carielo and Rene Garcia. The firm is also associated with Tejas Premier Building Contractors Inc. for construction work.
“We founded The DreamOn Group with the vision of developing projects that matter,” the development groups founders said in a statement. “Our partnership with the WDC confirms our mission to transform communities, together, for a greater San Antonio.”
The WDC, which owns the property, began soliciting responses for interested development groups in August. The DreamOn Group was the top respondent, according to the organization.
The 20,000-square-foot building at 502 N. Zarzamora St. was built by the Basils family, which established the Basila Frocks Co. to house garment manufacturers and shops. Over the years, it has served as offices, a grocery store, a ballroom, a boxing gym and a live music space. It has an assessed value of $329,570, according to the Bexar County Appraisal District.
The WDC bought the property in 2018 in partnership with Dan Markson, the former executive vice president of development for the NRP Group who died last year just before construction was set to start. Markson’s death left the project stalled, but he had already completed most due diligence and construction documents.
“The story of the building and its original owners tell the story of the Westside – a story of entrepreneurship, resiliency and stubborn determination,” WDC CEO Ramiro Gonzales said in a news release. “This legacy deserves a careful and intentional approach toward finding the right partner to fill Dan Markson’s shoes. We wanted a partner that could see beyond the building itself and see a tight-knit community that can be positively impacted by it.”
Written by Mitchell Parton
Reporter
San Antonio Business Journal
