AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

TRANSFORMATION PLANUrban Design and the Public RealmThe public realm—sidewalks, retail areas,parks—is the environment within whichimpressions are created. Deteriorated infrastructure,lack of maintenance, and limitedamenities discourage visitors and neighborsalike, and are detrimental to local neighborhoodretail. A high-quality public realm thatemphasizes urban design draws life to thestreet.Streetscape sections highlight the importance of buildingsite location, enhanced lighting, and improved pedestrianand bicycle conditions.Target city funding to key corridors toimprove the public realm. Work to ensurethat future Bond projects allow for fundingfor sidewalks, street furnishings, andstreetscape improvements, including greeninfrastructure enhancements.Develop design guidelines for retail corridors.Encourage and work with the cityto develop design guidelines to enhanceconditions along retail corridorswithin the study area. Identify fundingsources that will help supportlandscape and other improvementsfor qualifying property owners.Improve streetscape and lighting.Upgrade street lights and lightingin open spaces; encourage use ofhigher-quality fixtures that providebetter lighting at the pedestrianlevel.Screen parking lots. Parking lotsshould not be directly visible fromsidewalks, particularly in areasbeing targeted for increased andimproved walkable retail uses.Develop realistic standards forscreening; require new developmentsto screen parking; and workto identify funds to encourage existingbusinesses to screen parking.Safety. Family. Dream. Education.Respect.Beauty. These words encapsulate the values andaspirations of the Sutton Oaks residents. Inspiredby a visit to the neighborhood and the results ofa community discussion, San Antonio native RickWilliamson used a triptych mosaic to illustrate theidyllic vision described by dozens of Sutton Oaksfamilies.Install Public Art.Public art can help create a sense of identityfor a community. Therefore the plan involvesengaging local artists, residents and schoolagechildren in the design and installation ofpublic art for the community similar to whatwas done at Sutton Oaks.In the Eastside Choice footprint, a focusedapproach will be utilized to deploy NeighborhoodCampaigns. “Focused Neighborhoods”are designed to achieve the greatestimpact in a desired area through theconcentration of resources and servicesEASTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION PLAN47