AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

HOUSING AND BUSINESS POTENTIAL6Housing and Business PotentialTransformation of the Eastside Choice Neighborhood will beachieved by working with the existing assets and taking advantage ofemerging economic opportunities in the area. Angelou Economicsprovided an economic analysis of the Eastside Choice Neighborhoodwhich found there is strong potential for new multi-family housing,increased household and personal service businesses and suppliesand business support services. These will be areas of focus for microloans,store-front improvements and business plan competitions.New retail and restaurant services will be possible once the income inthe area increases and the negative perceptions of the area is changed.To address these issues, community events and festivals with a “Rediscoverthe Eastside Theme” will be introduced to invite a broadersegment of San Antonio into the area to experience the positivechanges in the area. There will be focused neighborhood initiativesthat are completed street by street, which will, over time create astrong, positive community identify and support private investmentinto the neighborhood.“The Choice Neighborhood Implementationgrant will transform the Wheatley area intoa community enriched with quality housing,education, employment, health and economicdevelopment opportunities—refurbishing theexisting public housing development into a 305-unit, high-quality, mixed income community withan additional 286 mixed-income units in SuttonOaks II and III, while saving a key piece of landfor commercial and retail development.”LOURDES CASTRO RAMIREZOne finding of themarket analysisindicates a strongmarket potential fornew multi-family.The multi-familybuildings depictedare two of severalconcept designsfor a futureWheatley Courtsredevelopment.EASTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION PLAN25