This was reported last week by San Antonio Express-News writer Josh Bauch. It is a follow-up to the article I previously posted.

Council eyes $5.68 million purchase of East Side building

The City Council on Thursday approved a plan that could lead to the purchase of the Friedrich Building, a former refrigerator factory on the East Side, as part of a larger land-swap deal with the San Antonio Independent School District.

The council voted 9-2 to enter into an option contract with the seller, Friedrich Lofts Ltd. The city negotiated a purchase price of $5.68 million for the building. The six-month option period will cost $100,000 and give the city exclusive rights to buy the structure.

If the city buys the Friedrich Building, it would trade it for several other properties owned by SAISD, including its headquarters property on Lavaca Street, south of HemisFair Park.

Councilmen Reed Williams and John Clamp voted against the initiative.

Councilwoman Ivy Taylor told her colleagues it could be a catalytic project that has the potential of revitalizing the East Side.