Ministry Park to Bring Affordable Patient Lodging, Green Space and New Hope to San Antonio's Medical Center
For thousands of families across South Texas, getting specialized medical care in San Antonio often involves more than doctor's appointments and treatment plans—it also means finding a place to stay, covering unexpected travel expenses, and spending days or even weeks away from home. A new development planned for the heart of the South Texas Medical Center aims to help ease that burden while creating a welcoming destination for patients, healthcare workers and the surrounding community.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas (MHM) has announced plans for Ministry Park, a transformative mixed-use development that will combine affordable patient lodging, public green space and future community-focused amenities on approximately 16 acres bounded by Wurzbach Road, Floyd Curl Drive and Medical Drive.
Designed as a long-term investment in community health, the project reflects MHM's mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God" while helping remove one of the biggest barriers many families face when seeking life-saving medical care: affordable accommodations close to hospitals.
A New Resource for Families Seeking Specialized Care
Each year, thousands of patients travel to San Antonio from communities across South Texas for specialized treatments that are unavailable closer to home. Those extended stays can create significant financial strain, particularly for families already facing economic hardship.
The first phase of Ministry Park is designed to directly address that challenge.
Plans call for the construction of a 250-plus-room dual-branded Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, with a dedicated number of rooms reserved at significantly reduced rates—or, in some cases, at no cost—for qualifying families demonstrating financial need.
"This is an exciting development for the South Texas Medical Center that will create a place of restoration and hope for those traveling to the area for much needed care, as well as those working and living in the area," said Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "Ministry Park will help make the Medical Center's renowned services more accessible to patients and families traveling long distances for specialized care."
The affordable lodging initiative is intended to complement organizations such as Ronald McDonald House and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, expanding the number of families who can stay close to loved ones during treatment. By reducing lodging costs, Methodist Healthcare Ministries hopes to remove barriers that can delay or even prevent patients from receiving critical care, ultimately helping improve health outcomes across the region.
A Mission Beyond Traditional Healthcare
Methodist Healthcare Ministries is one of the largest private, faith-based healthcare funding organizations in Texas, serving residents across 74 South Texas counties. The nonprofit broadens the definition of healthcare by providing affordable clinical services for uninsured individuals while investing in programs that address the underlying conditions that influence health, including food security, broadband access, economic mobility, supportive relationships and safe neighborhoods.
The organization reinvests earnings from its co-ownership of Methodist Healthcare into initiatives that improve health equity, allowing more economically disadvantaged individuals and families to access the care and resources they need to live healthier lives.
Ministry Park represents another extension of that mission, focusing not only on healthcare delivery but also on the practical needs patients face before, during and after treatment.
MHM Realco Created to Guide Mission-Driven Development
To oversee the ambitious project, Methodist Healthcare Ministries established MHM Realco, a faith-based, mission-driven real estate affiliate created to transform organizational resources into places where communities can thrive.
Rather than operating as a traditional commercial developer, MHM Realco was formed specifically to ensure every project aligns with Methodist Healthcare Ministries' long-term community mission and values.
Led by President and CEO Christian E. Oviatt and governed by its own Board of Directors, the organization will oversee planning, development and long-term management of Ministry Park.
"This is more than a real estate project—it's a long-term investment in community health," Oviatt said. "We are curating this property to create a place where patients, families, healthcare professionals, and the broader community can thrive."
Creating a More Welcoming Medical Center Experience
Beyond the hotel, the first phase includes plans for approximately 15,000 square feet of publicly accessible green spacedesigned by TBG Partners.
The park would feature:
- A 2,400-square-foot central lawn capable of hosting gatherings of up to 150 people.
- A shaded arrival plaza.
- Nature exploration areas.
- A rain garden.
- A water feature.
- A boardwalk.
- Improved pedestrian connections along Wurzbach Road, including shade trees, benches, lighting and specialty paving.
Together, these features are intended to create a more walkable, restorative environment within one of the state's busiest healthcare districts—offering patients, caregivers, medical professionals and visitors a place to relax and recharge.
Supporting the Continued Growth of the South Texas Medical Center
The South Texas Medical Center continues to expand as one of the nation's premier destinations for healthcare, medical research and specialty treatment.
Richard Perez, President of the San Antonio Medical Center Foundation, said the development fills an important need that has long existed alongside the area's world-class healthcare institutions.
"The exceptional hospital and specialty care found in the South Texas Medical Center, combined with the unparalleled and rapidly expanding research have made the Medical Center an important center for compassionate healthcare, healing and discovery," Perez said. "The Ministry Park development will help fill that critical gap that still exists for affordable lodging for individuals and families facing therapy, treatment and recovery."
Because the property is zoned for mixed-use development, future phases may include additional healthcare-supportive and commercial uses shaped through community engagement and informed by successful medical center developments across the country.
What Happens Next
A groundbreaking ceremony is currently planned for August 2026, when Methodist Healthcare Ministries expects to announce construction timelines and additional project details.
For families throughout South Texas who must travel to San Antonio for specialized care, Ministry Park represents more than another development project. It reflects a growing recognition that improving health outcomes involves more than excellent hospitals—it also means ensuring patients and their loved ones have the support, comfort and dignity they need throughout their healthcare journey.
As the South Texas Medical Center continues to evolve, developments like Ministry Park illustrate how thoughtful investments can strengthen both healthcare access and the overall experience for the communities these institutions serve.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continuing coverage as Ministry Park moves from planning to construction and begins taking shape in the heart of San Antonio's Medical Center.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
