SA Revitalization areas (San Antonio, Austin, Schertz: middle-class, apartment, condos)

[kevcrawford]

I'm currently working with a group that's looking to take a couple areas in SA and bring some real revitalization to them. We're looking at pumping a large amount of money into these areas. We'd like to do an area near downtown and extend the downtown area, but we've also got our eyes on a few other areas of town. We're looking to bring new business, residential and parks to the areas we choose.

While we already have our sites set on some very good areas, I realize that being in this business, we sometimes get our blinders on and focus on certain areas that we think would be great, but the public may have a different ideas.

While I can't disclose the areas we're looking at, are there any areas that you think are long overdue for a major overhaul? Anything specific that you feel SA is missing?

[jules07]

I wanna help.....

Oh, and I'm sure you've already thought of it, but I like Dignowity Hill. Think it has a lot of potential.

[smuboy86]

San Antonio really needs to get on the bandwagon and help out Windcrest, with the Walzem area. To think of all the Tax dollars that have moved out of the city, to Schertz, Cibolo and Live Oak makes me sick. Windcrest is doing their part, it's time for San Antonio to do their's.

[pr57001]

There is a lot of development occuring along Austin Highway and the neighborhoods that border Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills. Some of these areas were already in better shape than some of the others mentioned.

[Montirob]

I'll put in a plug for the "Deco District" along Fredericksburg Road. Adjacent to the Monticello Park/ Woodlawn Lake neighborhoods, this area has been slooooooowly been undergoing a revitalization (new HEB, "Deco Building", etc.) but still needs some help. The residential area is in good shape (many people undertaking renovations), but the commercial area is still lacking. If I had the money, I would buy the vacant property next to the bank at Donaldson, convince the bank to join me, and build a 4 story apartment block with the bank on the ground floor. This project would help add some more "critical mass" to the area in order to support additional retail. George Geis (I believe) once actually proposed something similar about 10 years ago. Fredericksburg Road will also be the first leg of VIA's Rapid Bus Transit line running from the medical center to downtown. In fact, one of the "super bus stops" will be around the Donaldson/Fred. Rd. intersection.

PM me if you would like the contact at the local JWL CDC, a nonprofit community development corporation charged by the city with improving the commercial corridor.

[metalfish]

What about 410 and old pearsall? I just read recently about the new outlet mall being built there. That area would also be right between the future city south neighboorhoods and the crowded Northwest side. You cant jsut have a giant gap of empty fileds in between!

[SAtoDallas]

I'd like to see the area just east of downtown come back to life. There are so many homes with potential out there. The southeast side could use more business and retail. Of course the Deco district needs more business. The area just south of downtown needs a grocery store.

[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.

[shenane]

Agreed. Crestridge subdivision, brook hollow subdivision, etc..

Originally Posted by smuboy86

San Antonio really needs to get on the bandwagon and help out Windcrest, with the Walzem area. To think of all the Tax dollars that have moved out of the city, to Schertz, Cibolo and Live Oak makes me sick. Windcrest is doing their part, it's time for San Antonio to do their's.

[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