AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

TRANSFORMATION PLANEASTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION PLAN“Neighborhood Campaigns” promotecommunity and help struggling neighborhoodsestablish a unique identity by turningperceived challenges into strengths. Theyshould be varied and creative and aimed atgetting residents involved through healthycompetitions, (e.g. Sweep Around Your OwnFront Door”—Clean up campaigns, Porchlight Campaigns to illuminate the neighborhoodand deter crime and other appropriatetheme events to infuse new life, fosterrevitalization and build a stronger community.On the Eastside, the campaigns willbe aligned with major events such as theM.L.K. March and Fiesta and opportunitiesto link campaigns to Economic Developmentidentified. A Community Development Specialistwill be hired to perform outreach, linkcampaigns to economic activities, ensurecontinuity and pursue additional economicdevelopment outcomes.“Coffee at the curb” is being used successfullyby the Promise team to discussimportant news with parents who walk withtheir children to and from school.Improved Access and ConnectivityImproving access to, from, and within theEastside will greatly benefit revitalization efforts,particularly for existing and new retailand residential development. Ensure that allmodes of connectivity are prioritized, but—as called for during the public planning process—emphasizeopportunities that improveconditions for pedestrians and biking.Connectivity. San Antonio’s Transit Agency,VIA, will increase connections in the neighborhoodby enhancing existing bus stopsand increasing bus routes, especially to FortSam Houston. The City of San Antonio hascommitted Bond dollars to the improvementof several important corridors in the neighborhood,especially Commerce Street.• As part of the plan, a design competitionwas held to design bus stops/shelters forthe Eastside NeighborhoodThe winning bus stop design from a competitionheld during the planning process of WestsideInitiative.• Internet access—virtual connectivity willbe achieved through MBS’ commitmentto pursuing a broadband network andproviding free (or affordable) wirelessInternet service to the new housing community.Emphasize green walking and bike streets.New Braunfels Avenue, E. Commerce,Houston, Walters, and Hays Streets havebeen designated as green walking and bikestreets (See neighborhood vision map onpage 41). Bike lanes, tree plantings, landscaping,sidewalk improvements and otherstreetscape enhancements that benefit thepedestrian and biking experience should beprioritized within these corridors.Neighborhood Integration. The design ofthe Wheatley community will be a predominantlyresidential neighborhood. Theexisting streets will be opened and shifted toreconnect to the surrounding grid, therebyconnecting the community back into thelarger neighborhood.Increase bike/car share programs. SanAntonio has already been proactive in establishingsuccessful bike and car share programs,but these amenities do not currentlyexist within the Eastside. A study should beinitiated that can research funding opportunitiesand site locations.48