It's only a matter of time before the pentagon runs another round of Base Realignment and Closure, so this week, the San Antonio City Council will begin the process of shoring up the local installations that mean billions to the local economy, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"We are in a good position. We have good tools that we use every day to make sure we are protecting our bases from encroachment of development," Mayor Ron Nirenberg tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI.
On the city council agenda this week is the 115th Congressional Legislative Program, top of which is military protection, and for good reason. The military has an annual $28.8 billion economic impact.
Earlier this month, the White House issued a statement, saying that another round of what the Defense Department commonly calls BRAC is coming.
"The Department estimates that a new BRAC round in 2021 would save an additional $2 billion or more annually, resources which could be devoted to higher priorities such as readiness and modernization," the policy statement reads.
Mayor Nirenberg says the city has been in close communication with base commanders, so they have a good idea about what they want."They rely on us to get the job done," he explains. "We're working together to have utilities and redundant infrastructure."
But concerns about encroachment are likely out of San Antonio's control. Development around Camp Bullis and Randolph Air Force Base are in the hands of the suburbs. Universal City, Converse and Schertz are booming.
The Texas Legislature this past summer rejected efforts by San Antonio to be allowed to annex large areas around Camp Bullis to protect against encroachment, but the lawmakers did allow the city to have enhanced authority to dictate development outside its city limits in order to protect military facilities.
If San Antonio does end up losing a military mission, it will not be the first time. Kelly Air Force base was cut in 1995. Brooks Air Force Base was shuttered in 2005.
In both cases, the city rebounded, turning the posts into economic hubs, which are now thriving. Kelly AFB has been reimaged as Port San Antonio, for example, and Brooks City Base continues to expand.