Schertz’ first Master Plan Community development – The Crossvine – will break ground in August and likely get it first residents by March, a group of about 70 top real estate professionals heard Tuesday, July 10, during a First Voice Luncheon hosted by the Schertz Economic Development Corporation at the Schertz Civic Center.

The Crossvine is an 850-acre, $500 million mater plan community along FM 1518 in South Schertz. It was formerly known as Sedona Trails. “Our plan is to deliver lots to builders by year’s end so they can have their houses ready to sell by the all-important spring-summer 2013 period,” said Chris Price, president of Schertz FM 1518 LTD. “We expect the first phase house to be priced between $220,000 and $400,000,” Price added.

First Voice is an informal networking group of Realtors and other business leaders that holds informational lunches to discuss current issues. The First Voice meeting in Schertz was held to give leading Relators an update on the dynamic developments going on in the city.

Schertz City Manager John Kessel gave an overview of recent Schertz Master Planning Efforts. He said city leadership is focused on becoming a master planned community city with the best governance possible in areas like infrastructure and regional cooperation. Kessel said Schertz is preparing for the next wave of development coming to the region. The city manager said master planning efforts will help redefine areas such as South Schertz along IH-10 East.

Schertz Economic Development Corp. Executive Director David Gwin said Schertz is on the very doorstep of San Antonio from both IH-10 and IH-35 and “is in one of the hottest real estate markets in Texas and the nation.” He also spoke about job creation in the municipality and the impact of the major economic development efforts currently in the area. Gwin gave an update on recent Schertz major developments like Sysco, Caterpillar, Salof (which moved into the former Lack’s Building on Schwab Road) and the Baptist Emergency Hospital under construction at IH-35 and Schertz Parkway.

The Crossvine is located at FM 1518 and Ware Seguin Road and will have significant open space, lakes, trails, nearby retail and easy access to major roadways. It will likely build out in about eight years and is expected to serve as the template for the kind of planned communities the city wants, especially in the IH-10 area.

“We got our message to the right people at this First Voice event,” Gwin said. These leaders in real estate will carry back the information that Schertz is focused on quality planning and projects and preparing for an exciting future.”