SA Revitalization areas (Mart, Blanco, Magnolia: houses, neighborhoods, buyers)

[kevcrawford]

Awesome ideas. Some we've had in mind. Some we hadn't considered. I'm going to be putting together a large proposal for him and will be researching all these areas thoroughly. This is going to be a long term project and involve millions of dollars, so we're pretty excited about it. Just want to make sure we've looked at every single option before we get going, so it'll take a bit to pull the research together.

Any others areas?

[Chaka]

Whatever you do, include the local community already there in your plans. They have a lot to offer. One of the things I like so much about our neighborhood is that revitalization efforts (until recently) have included those long time residents as much as possible, so they're not just pushed out.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Agree with Celeste - although a major issue is the S. Presa corridor around Pereida. I believe that property is owned by one person on one corner, and there's the now vacant Pig Stand on the other (tho don't take the pig!). It really needs some commercial development, as it stands now it's an eyesore.

But definitely the section further south - `a

oops, I think a little hand prevented me from finishing that...now I'm not sure what I was saying, except to agree

[moeowo]

I also say the South Presa area. I live over here and would love to see this area revitalized!

Originally Posted by CelesteDF

My vote would be for the South Presa corridor, basically from Probandt/Blue Star down to where I-10/I-37/Hwy 90 intersect... right around Fair Ave. The housing stock in this area is every bit as gorgeous as the near-north side neighborhoods (Govt Hill, Alta Vista, Tobin Hill, etc.) but at MUCH lower values right now. There are tons of available commercial and retail space that can be bought for nothing, much of it still retaining the original charm of the buildings built in early 1900s. There is also strong community support (many churches and community organizations that would help support new investment). As money continues to flow into SoFlo and people begin to tire of condos but still want to be "urban", they'll start looking for SFHs nearby.

Redevelopment of this corridor is a long-term proposition because of the chicken & egg situation (need retail/services to pull new affluent residents, need affluent residents to drive retail). However, easy proximity to major arteries feeding Toyota, Ft. Sam, Brooks City-Base, Lackland, Port San Antonio & TAMU-SA make the South Presa area ideally located to capitalize on South Side growth. Plus, in the short-term, depending on what is built and how it's marketed, new developments in South Presa could pull dollars from residents in the existing middle-class Highlands area.

Just my $.02 worth.

[scuba steve]

I hit up Google maps to get a view of these big old houses along Fredericksburg Road inside of I-410, and now that area gets my vote. It looks like the area could be pretty cool.

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by kevcrawford

Awesome ideas. Some we've had in mind. Some we hadn't considered. I'm going to be putting together a large proposal for him and will be researching all these areas thoroughly. This is going to be a long term project and involve millions of dollars, so we're pretty excited about it. Just want to make sure we've looked at every single option before we get going, so it'll take a bit to pull the research together.

Any others areas?

C'mon now, Kev............you don't expect me to give away any good ideas, do you???

[Cookiemeister]

If you are looking for something historic, something diverse and urban, check out the Deco District, Monticello Park, Jefferson High School area off Fredericksburg Rd. This area could be the next Blue Star type area due to the great location and historical significance. If you start at Fred and Club moving towards Ashby and all the way down to Flores St you will see all the potential. The homes are really beautiful in this area as is Jefferson High School and Woodlawn Lake. The main drag on Fredericksburg Rd from Club (HEB) to I-10 and beyond have alot of commercial potential and very close to downtown. Alot of 1930 era homes are being revitilized in this area. Alot of artist, doctors, lawyers, politicians live in this neighborhood. Very eclectic and interesting area with lots of old world charm.

[Chaka]

You know, while I applaud efforts of developers who want to 'bring back' an area, I'm inclined to think you'd be better off focusing on former industrial districts (like SoFlo) rather than already established neighborhoods.

After thinking about it some more, King William and Lavaca at least (I'm less familiar with Tobin Hill, Alta Vista, etc) were 'brought back' by the people who chose to live IN the community or had already been there some years. It wasn't developers who re-did it all. That helps (eg Victoria Commons), but what made places like Victoria Commons possible was the commitment of the already established neighborhood community to revitalize the neighborhood. Same with King William - it was 'brought" back not by developers creating something new, but by local residents taking pride in their community and bringing it back to life.

Not that I'm discouraging such projects per se, but I'd rather see a focus on community activism and assistance programs (such as true grants, not what passes for 'grants' now which mainly go to those with connections...) to help those already living in the area restore their community.

Now, there are aspects that would require those with more financial backing, such as the commercial corridors (eg Fred Rd, S. Presa), so I'm not saying they're not needed. I just think the most successful revitalization projects are those which truly revitalize rather than simply gentrify. The people who are already there make the community. We don't want to lose them.

There are a lot of downtown buildings that the regular person couldn't afford to buy and refurbish, just ripe for developers to take over and make into a mixed use community.

[GWhopper]

One place to really think about is the Lavaca area between South Presa and I-37. The city has torn up all the roads, and is making them wider, with better sidewalks, and basically improving the infrastructure (though painfully slowly). The neighborhood definitely has a strong community unity to it, and several of the houses, many of which are architectural wonders of bygone days, have been restored or are being restored.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by GWhopper

One place to really think about is the Lavaca area between South Presa and I-37. The city has torn up all the roads, and is making them wider, with better sidewalks, and basically improving the infrastructure (though painfully slowly). The neighborhood definitely has a strong community unity to it, and several of the houses, many of which are architectural wonders of bygone days, have been restored or are being restored.

Except that Lavaca is one of the neighborhoods where the local community is already doing a lot to revitalize it. I think the commercial corridor along S. Presa needs some help (someone needs to convince the owners of the dilapidated buildings to sell), but the neighborhood itself is already well on its way.

Those of us who live in the neighborhood really like the mixed income atmosphere. I'd hate to see yet more property bought up by developers.

btw - the roads aren't getting wider, on Florida they're supposed to be burying power lines. They're resurfacing and putting in sidewalks, but not really widening anything. Labor is the same width it's always been. And honestly, I prefer not to have the roads widened. We really don't need to have an excuse for cars to drive more than 25 mph down our neighborhood streets. The narrower streets (formerly carriage roads) force cars to slow down. I live on one of the wider streets now and it definitely encourages cars to speed.