The North East ISD board of trustees voted to move forward a pool of 14 design-build firms for 30 2025 bond program projects March 23.

Jorge Cabello, NEISD executive director of construction management and engineering, said these projects totaled around 20% of the 96 projects within the bond, and were chosen because they were well suited to the design-build method, which is a team of designers and builders that work as a team.

What’s happening? Projects include parking lots, mechanical, HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Cabello said these companies worked well within the district’s parameters, including being able to handle technically complex projects, such as chillers and switchgear controls, but were able to work within schedule sensitive timeframes like summer, school breaks and nights.

According to the presentation, the 14 design build firms are a mix of general contractors who will provide experience for large, complicated, multitrade projects, and specialty contractors who have a deep expertise in mechanical, plumbing or control systems.

A new food truck specializing in halal cuisine has opened in far North San Antonio with a focus on steaks.

A closer look: Steak Spot officially opened to the public on Feb. 4, according to a social media announcement from the business.

It’s located next to the Jack in the Box in the Stone Oak area at 21038 Hwy. 281, Ste. 100.

The truck is one of two locations the company currently has in operation across the state of Texas, with the other in the greater Houston area, according to the business’s website.

Steak Spot also has a sister dine-in restaurant, Imperial Pho Noodles and Grill, in Houston.

The details: On the menu at the Steak Spot is a variety of Zabiha Halal steaks, from classic ribeye cuts to New York strips.

• 21038 Hwy. 281, Ste. 100, San Antonio

A new single-family subdivision is one step closer to being constructed in Universal City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Sorting out details: Universal City’s City Council approved the annexation of a 73.67-acre property for a proposed single-family development March 17. The dais also approved an ordinance to change about 4 acres of the property’s land use designation from community commercial to medium density and a change in zoning to the entire tract of land. The property’s zoning was changed from large-lot residential to planned unit development, or PUD, district, according to agenda documents.

The ordinance changes were approved on first reading and are anticipated to return to council for a second and final reading April 7.

The proposed subdivision—named Whispering Creek—will be owned and constructed by the single-family residential developer Meritage Homes. Whispering Creek is anticipated to have between 276 and 285 homes constructed in three phases with a playground, community pool and pedestrian trails, according to agenda documents.

From funding for proposed data centers in New Braunfels to housing development rezoning issues, check out the five top-read stories across the San Antonio area from March 30-April 2.

1. Guadalupe County commissioners vote down $500M tax cut for proposed data center in New Braunfels

2. Judson ISD trustees approve contract change for Cibolo Creek Middle School

3. Locally-owned senior living facility doubles in size with expansion project

4. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD approves policy allowing out-of-district transfers

5. New Braunfels housing development faces setback as rezoning motion fails