"The Strip", San Antonio's Gay Business District (Houston: neighborhood, new construction)

[tgannaway89]

The Strip's revitalization (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/The_Strips_revitalization.html - broken link)

I found this interesting and helps show just how gay-friendly this city is becoming. It is located off Main St. to the North of downtown near San Antonio College.

[lemonfresh]

Tobin Hill, the Strip, man, that area has so much potential to be a majorly happening area, not just for the gay community but everyone.

Also, why not a gay district called the Happy District or Happyland? No, not because gay = happy but because of Arthur Veltman, or better known as Happy to his friends, who was one San Antonio's first big time gay activists and started Bonham Exchange as well as many other things. I think naming a Gay district after him would be a great way to honor his memory.

Main Ave. could be a really happening corridor between downtown and Monte Vista/SAC

But I think infrastructure repairs and improvements need to be done.And thought they are planned they need to be put on the forefront. With Tobin Hill being made a historical district a year and half ago they need to plan a really cool logo/slogan and come up with a good marketing campaign.

P.S.

I thought St Mary's was known as The Strip?

[juniorm]

if you dont mind a short road trip austin is the place to visit...i think you will love it..

[metalfish]

those guys post on here. i wonder what they have to say.

[neddy]

I vote for Hap. Ex-Bohnam employee here,have a fondness for Hap and all he did for the city.

[hello13685]

Thank goodness for these very positive changes. I applaud the men in the article who are behind much of this.

[scuba steve]

Why a gay section. The rest of the town isn't good enough?

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

Why a gay section. The rest of the town isn't good enough?

I sort of agree with Steve here, but perhaps not for the same reasoning...

In thinking along the neighborhood ideals of other major cities out there, you're seeing less and less 'ghettoization' of people. What it really means, for the better, is that the human race is more comfortable with each other and we feel less need to keep within our own 'type.'

What the SABJ is writing about is nothing new: San Antonio's gay scene, while mostly comprised of bars and adult video stores, is attempting a revival thanks to two enterprising guys. While I applaud them in the effort, the end-product leaves quite a lot to be desired.

Even if the trend of a 'gay'borhood is somewhat outdated, what SA needs for a successful one is group of investors (gay or not) that can open up day-and-night business, build from the ground-up and look to the future of what Main Street can actually be. Right now, the buildings are delapidated, the scene dismal and in many ways it feels Stonewall-era: Like we're hiding out in a windowless hole instead of being face-foward. The 'hood would definitely benefit from new construction, design-concious ideas and a quality, not quantity, frame of mind.

As a sidenote about Luthers, the building has been rehabbed beautifully, but their staff attitude leaves a LOT to be desired. I understand the want to hire a mostly gay or gay-friendly staff, but never at the expense of making sure they're well-trained, friendly and attitude-free. Consistency is what makes a business succcessful: It's been that consistent attitude at Luthers that keeps me from coming back.




BN

[SAguy]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

Why a gay section. The rest of the town isn't good enough?

Moderator cut: off-topic Houston and Dallas have similar area/districts but in a much larger scale.

[ryneone]

Originally Posted by SAguy

[mod]off topic[/mod[ Houston and Dallas have similar area/districts but in a much larger scale.

Moderator cut: orphaned

I'm with BN on this one as well. I personally don't think we need a "gay" or "black" or "white" side of town. I know it is all to easy to hang out with like attributed people but that does not always lead to good things. I can honestly say that I feel no more comfortable in a room full of gay men than I do straight men. What I don't understand is why we need a gay area. Moderator cut: orphaned