Why does the River Authority need a real estate team?
The River Authority, to the surprise of many people, is an extremely large landholder. Much of our land comes from the fact that we own the bed and banks of the San Antonio River and most of the creeks and tributaries that contribute to it, particularly within the four counties of our jurisdiction. That ownership of the bed and banks actually extends all the way to the coastline.
Because of that, we’re responsible for managing all the activities that occur on land we own, as well as helping facilitate activities that our organization needs to conduct on other people’s land. When people think of real estate, they often think of buying and selling land. We do that, but a lot of our work is concerned with understanding and helping others understand the rights associated with land holdings—whether those rights belong to us or to private landowners.
How do the activities of the River Authority’s real estate team benefit the public?
Most of the land we look at is part of some strategic acquisition. A lot of it is within the floodplain and not land that could be developed significantly for private benefit. Often there are encumbrances—floodplain restrictions, conservation easements, or deed restrictions—that limit development. We acquire this land to preserve it, incorporate it into a park, or use it for studies like water quality testing or flood management. The goal is always to support the broader mission of the organization, which is a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable San Antonio River.
What is one of the more recent properties purchased by the River Authority?
We’re fortunate to work with many property owners who are very aware of and supportive of our organization. A few years ago, an older gentleman who owned five acres adjacent to the Mission Reach trail and park system approached the River Authority about selling the property. We purchased it at fair market value, and he and his children were incredibly generous and easy to work with.
That acquisition allowed us to add five acres to the public realm, preserve an acequia that runs through the property, and protect a beautiful native landscape. It will ultimately contribute to the Mission Reach system, and it’s a great example of how cooperative, mission-minded landowners can help us move our work forward.
What are some goals your department is focused on as part of the River Authority’s strategic plan?
One of the biggest goals we’ve been working on is capturing and organizing all real estate records at the River Authority. I believe that good record-keeping is one of the most important responsibilities of government. Public agencies persist for decades, even centuries, and deal with thousands of parcels, transactions, and records. We have well over 5,000 real estate records, and our goal is to document them clearly, organize them using modern data management systems, and map them through GIS so our holdings are easy to understand visually. Ultimately, the goal is to make it available to the public so people can see where our holdings are and understand the history behind those transactions.
Why do you enjoy working at the River Authority?
When I joined the River Authority seven years ago, I quickly realized how our real estate team’s work benefits people, ecosystems, and the public. My job takes me all over San Antonio, and seeing the city and county that way has deepened my love for this place. On a personal level, I’ve also met some of the most intelligent, grounded, and value-driven people I’ve ever worked with. Coming from a sales background, that’s something I truly appreciate. It’s been a unique opportunity to grow both professionally and personally here, and I genuinely respect the people I work with every day.
How would you invite people to experience the River Authority’s parks?
Our parks are the easiest way to get involved—just go and visit them. Hendrick Arnold Park is especially meaningful to me because I was part of that transaction. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Bexar County, with incredible tree cover, wildlife, and access to the Medina River.
The Mission Reach is another great example of what we do. It combines flood control, ecosystem protection, and access to nature all in one place. Exploring these spaces really shows the full scope of our work.
My biggest call to action, though, is volunteering. Pollution and trash don’t go away on their own, and as an organization working across large watersheds, we see the impacts firsthand. We always need more hands, and community involvement can make a huge difference.
Today’s blog was contributed by Gray Eck, Real Estate Supervisor for the San Antonio River Authority, where he has worked since April 2019. With 7 years of experience as a Right of Way agent in the public sector, Gray specializes in the acquisition and disposition of property rights, title research, real estate records management, and right of way consultation.
The “My River POV” series provides readers with the opportunity to learn about the unique insights and experiences of the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff and their connection to the San Antonio River in hopes of inspiring stewardship of area creeks and rivers.
