About SARA > Real Estate Interests

Real Estate Interests

Click Here for SARA Real Estate Fee Schedule
Click Here for SARA Real Estate Interests Application
Click Here for SARA Survey Standards and Required Deliverables
Click Here for the Landowner’s Bill of Rights

Real Estate

The Real Estate Department performs the asset management and real estate acquisition and disposition functions within the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). SARA owns real estate interests throughout Bexar, Wilson, Karnes and Goliad Counties, varying from specific, minimum-use easements or leases to total fee ownership. For example, as a result of the Act of the Texas Legislature which created the River Authority, the State of Texas granted to SARA such right, title, and interest as the State of Texas has to the entire bed and banks of the San Antonio River and its tributaries.

SARA issues permits for both public and private projects which involve real estate owned or controlled by the SARA. The SARA Board of Directors adopted Policy No. EO 0011 on March 22, 2006 which establishes policies for property management, administrative fees and compensation for the use and conveyance of SARA land rights.

The sale of surplus property owned by SARA is governed by Chapter 272 of the Texas Local Government Code. All sales of SARA-owned property must be authorized by the Board of Directors declaring that the property is surplus to SARA’s needs. Notice of the sale must be published in a newspaper for three (3) consecutive weeks and the property cannot be sold for less than fair market value.

For information regarding SARA’s real estate interests, contact the Real Estate Department at (210) 227-1373, or toll free at (866) 345-7272 or visit our offices at 100 E. Guenther, San Antonio, Texas.

Application for River and Creek Crossings

As titleholder to the beds and banks along the San Antonio River, its creeks and tributaries, SARA provides an application process for the establishment of permanent or temporary crossings in SARA’s four-county district of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties, to include the San Antonio River’s entire course to the confluence with the Guadalupe River.

The applicant of the river or creek crossing is required to complete a SARA application packet for the proposed crossing. The completed application, together with plan/profile and plat/survey, must be submitted to SARA for review and consideration. The applicant will be advised of all corresponding fees at the time of the submittal.

Lease Properties

Occasionally, property that SARA owns is declared surplus and is made available for lease. Once the SARA Board of Directors determines that a specific lease purpose is consistent with SARA’s mission and will result in the property’s highest and best use, a Request for Proposal (RFP) to lease the property will be published for three (3) consecutive weeks in the local newspaper. RFPs are evaluated using the sealed bid method.

Joint Use Agreements

Joint Use Agreements administered by SARA allow SARA to monitor new developments in easement and other SARA Real Estate interest areas. Joint Use Agreements also provide a means to control and analyze impacts to SARA’s Flood Water Retarding Structures and inundation easements in SARA’s four-county jurisdiction of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties.

Both public and private organizations may apply for Joint Use Agreements.

For information regarding SARA’s real estate interests, proposed river and creek crossings, leasing opportunities and/or joint use agreements, please call a Real Estate Representative at (210) 227-1373 or, toll free, at (866) 345-7272.