Downtown Residents Association

San Antonio Texas

Primary Election Early Voting

JOINT PRIMARY ELECTION      MARCH 2, 2010

EARLY VOTING HOURS and LOCATIONS

 

Tues., Feb. 16 thru Fri, Feb. 19, 2010,8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 20, 2010............. 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 21, 2010..........12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.

Mon., Feb. 22 thru Fri., Feb. 26, 2010-8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

 

Main Early Voting Location:

BEXAR COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER 300 Dolorosa

 

Other Early Voting Locations:

BROOKHOLLOW LIBRARY- 530 Heimer Road

 

CISNEROS COMMUNITY CENTER - 517 S.W. Military

 

CLAUDE BLACK CENTER - 2805 East Commerce

 

CODY LIBRARY - 11441 Vance Jackson

 

COLLINS GARDEN LIBRARY – 200 North Park

 

CROSSROADS MALL - 4522 Fredericksburg

 

EAST CENTRAL ISD ADMIN BUILDING-6634 New Sulphur Springs Rd

 

FAIR OAKS RANCH CITY HALL - 7286 Dietz Elkhorn

 

GREAT NORTHWEST LIBRARY - 9050 Wellwood

 

HENRY A. GUERRA, JR. LIBRARY-7978 W Military Drive

 

JOHN IGO LIBRARY -13330 Kyle Seale Parkway

 

JOHNSTON LIBRARY - 6307 Sun Valley Drive

 

JULIA YATES SEMMES LIBRARY - 15060 Judson Road

 

LAS PALMAS LIBRARY - 515 Castroville Road

 

LION'S FIELD - 2809 Broadway

 

MAURY MAVERICK, JR. LIBRARY – 8700 Mystic Park

 

MCCRELESS LIBRARY -1023 Ada Street

 

NORTH SIDE ACTIVITY CENTER - 7001 Culebra

 

OLMOS BASIN GOLF CLUB HOUSE - 7022 McCullough

 

SHAVANO PARK CITY HALL... (COUNCIL CHAMB) - 900 Saddletree Ct

 

SOMERSET HIGH SCHOOL - 7650 South 1604 West, Somerset

 

SOUTH PARK MALL - 2310 S.W. Military

 

ST. BENEDICT'S CHURCH (PARISH HALL) 4535 Lord Rd.

 

STONE OAK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -  20024 Crescent Oaks

 

TOBIN LIBRARY @OAKWELL - 4134 Harry Wurzbach

 

UNIVERSAL CITY - CITYHALL - 2150 Universal City Blvd.

 

WINDCREST TAKAS PARK CIVIC CENTER - 9310 Jim Seal Dr.

 

 

 

Find more information about early voting at

 

http://www.co.bexar.tx.us/elections/

 

 

Downtown Living

Livin' la vida downtown


EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO
The 12-story La Cascada at 230 Dwyer has 46 condos.


By Creighton Welch - Special to the Express-News

Ken Hack concedes that he didn’t cozy up to the idea of living downtown right away. He enjoyed his 5-acre Hill Country property with views and access to Medina Lake.

But after his wife Cindi listed all the perks — and secretly sold the family boat — he was convinced and made the move, first to the Judson’s Candy Factory Lofts and most recently to the Vidorra condos.

“For us, things are so much simpler and stress free,” Ken said. “We have so much more time together now. That time has allowed us enjoy so many things San Antonio has to offer that we would of never be able to do at the lake.”

While still in the early stages of popularity compared to major metropolitan cities, living downtown is drawing in more and more people who are lured by what the lifestyle has to offer.

Randy Cunningham, a real estate agent with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, said many of the people looking downtown find it alluring because of the opportunity to downsize.

As baby boomers become empty nesters, they look to move into smaller spaces that require less maintenance and fewer responsibilities, such as mowing the yard and cleaning the house.

Despite the gradual growth in downtown living options, it’s still a second thought to a lot of people.

“I think there needs to be this reintroduction to downtown,” said Cunningham, who got his introduction by selling units at La Cascada. “Downtowns, in order to thrive, really need residents. Texas has a unique personality, and it has a lot to do with the suburbs.”

Even he is considering the move downtown as his son nears graduation and he prepares for an empty nest. “A few years ago, you couldn’t have held a gun to my head and had me live downtown,” Cunningham said. “But now I’m actually considering it. It’s a little bit of a cultural transformation and a lifestyle transformation.”

For the Hacks, one of the big draws was cutting down on commuting and monthly gas expenses.

Combined, they drove more than 1,000 miles a week to and from work alone.

“We would lose around 2-3 hours of time with each other just because of driving,” Ken Hack said. “Now we lose 20 minutes. An eight-hour work day would turn into a 10-12 hour work day.”

So not only do they save on driving to work, but they’re able to take the bus or trolley around downtown to go out to eat and shop.

Of course, the proximity to amenities attracts many people downtown.

“Downtown has some historical areas that are real appealing,” Cunningham said. “There are restaurants all over the place. There’s arts and culture. Downtown has everything that people are looking for.” It’s also easy for people to interact with their friends when they all live in the same building or within walking distance.

“We now have a regular ‘Thirsty Thursday’ event at Vidorra where the homeowners get together for happy hour at a different downtown venue each week,” said Angela Rinehart, sales manager at the 20-story Vidorra condos, which opened last March.

In many of these downtown living spots, you have the comfort of a 24-hour concierge, which can come in handy for those needing help, or for those who want the assurance of leaving their home for long vacations or trips.

“We are also enjoying having the pool, fitness center, concierge and security that Vidorra has to offer,” said Sharon Manning, a real estate agent who also lives at the Vidorra. “It was a lifestyle choice for my husband and I (that) we made after our children left for college. It has freed us up to do the things we love, like going to Aggies football games, playing golf and trying new restaurants in the area.”

And if you think moving downtown will sacrifice your back porch views, think again.

“I have a skyline view of San Antonio that includes the Tower of the Americas,” Hack said.



The downtown life

Here are some of the newer downtown living options:

Vidorra

•20 stories, 146 units

•Near Sunset Station

•Units start at $255,000

•Units range from 1,000-3,866 square feet

•www.vidorraliving.com

La Cascada

•12 stories, 46 units

•230 Dwyer Avenue

•Units start at $500,000

•Units range from 2,051-2,883 square feet

•www.lacascadaluxury.com

 

Judson's Candy Factory Lofts

•4 stories, 84 units

•831 S. Flores St.

•Units start at $174,000

•Units range from 700-800 square feet

•www.sweetcityliving.com

Alteza

•147 units above the Grand Hyatt hotel

•600 E. Market St.

•Units start in the $300,000s

•Units range from 800-6,400 square feet

•www.altezalivingtx.com

Zero Waste by 2020

The stated mission of the San Antonio's Solid Waste Department (SWD) is to "protect the public health and safety of the City of San Antonio by providing quality municipal solid waste services and environmental programs that are safe, efficient, cost effective and environmentally responsible."
 
David McCary, the director of the SWD, has assembled a focus group to help San Antonio plot a course for "Zero Waste" by 2020. Progress towards this goal will bring about a safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible San Antonio. The focus group, made up of representatives from the various City Council Districts, makes the developing the plan inclusive from the city's stakeholders.
 
There are 3 components:
  • Shift from Waste Management to Resource Recovery
  • Identify Key Strategies, Concepts and Best Practices
  • Establish Foundation for long-term Waste Diversion Programs.
 
In 2000, the average household recycled 1 pound for every 14 pounds sent to the landfill. (7%)
In 2009, the ratio improved to 1:6. (17%) - San Antonio can change our approach to waste!
 
in 2009:
  • 316,292 tons of waste was disposed of at a cost of $6,836,879.
  • 72,646 tons of waste was diverted through the recycling program and generated revenue of $614,031 and avoided disposal costs of $1,570,607
 
The 3 contracts we have with local landfill facilities will be up for renegotiation before my child (due January 6th!) graduates from high school. There will also be approximately 50,000 more households by 2020, so today definitely offers us the opportunity to mitigate increased expense to maintain our expected standards of clean city living.
 
The Focus Group will generate a plan of action including the following approaches:
  • Outreach & Education (Why to reduce waste & How to do it)
  • Financial Incentives (The carrot)
  • Expand Collection Program (Make it easier)
  • Enforcement through Ordinance (The stick)
 
These 4 approaches of bran-storm & scrutiny will be applied to:
  • Improve existing SWD programs (recycling, brush collection, etc.)
  • Create new SWD recycling programs (TBD!)
  • Influence other organizations (Keep SA Beautiful compost program, GSA's Community Gardens, etc.)
 
I was approached to represent District 1 on the focus group and I considered an honor to accept. In order for this to be an effective dialog, I will keep you posted on the progress and I hope you will share with me your thoughts and concerns. Just drop me an email at joe@joebarfield.com or call me at 210-733-1928. The Solid Waste Department can be reached at 311 or on-line at www.SanAntonio.Gov/swmd
 
Joe Barfield


Downtown might come alive 2-7-10

Web Posted: 02/07/2010 12:00 CST


Downtown might come alive

Bottom of Form

For at least 30 years, San Antonio has been vexed by a frustrating problem: The river that runs through the heart of the city has flourished with development, much of it aimed at tourists, while efforts to attract retail spaces, housing and offices to the street level have largely failed.

Consequently, the core of the city is split. At the river level, we look like Venice. On parts of Houston Street, it feels like downtown Beirut.

Suddenly, the stars may have aligned to heal that split.

Last week, the City Council passed an ordinance to eliminate city fees for projects. It also offers 10-year tax abatements for projects in the inner city and creates a land bank to facilitate desperately needed downtown projects. Wouldn't a grocery store be nice downtown?

Meanwhile, County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Julián Castro are both pushing for a streetcar system.

There also is a little-understood element in the works that got a one-line mention in Castro's State of the City speech. It's called the Centro Partnership, a nonprofit development corporation that, as City Manager Sheryl Scully explained, will serve as a single point of contact to initiate and manage the redevelopment of downtown.

Sculley, who lives downtown, said cities such as Memphis, Tenn., Philadelphia and Phoenix have created public-private entities to boost and manage economic development in their inner cities.

The plan is for Downtown Alliance — an organization with more than 300 property owners in the inner city — to morph into Centro Partnership. The mayor, county judge, other elected leaders and business owners would serve on the nonprofit board, which presumably would safeguard against cronyism.

“This new organization would bring together the city, the county and the private sector to do projects that really focus existing and new resources on the inner city,” said Ben Brewer, president of Downtown Alliance. “This is the game changer we've needed for downtown.”

A housing study funded by the Downtown Alliance identified a strong market, helping the developers obtain financing for two projects: The Vistana, which is west of downtown, and Vidora, to the east.

At Vistana, which is 90 percent leased, 60 percent of the residents are new to downtown. Many are from the North Side.

That's the kind of thing the new organization would do.

Sculley said the city might transfer the management of downtown parking to Centro Partnership. “We need to consider parking as an economic development tool,” she said. “How we deal with parking will determine what kind of development we can attract downtown.”

No doubt there will be opposition to turning over city-owned garages and other public spaces to a nonprofit corporation comprising public and private board members. But this kind of collaboration is the wave of the future. Cities that have done it have seen a reversal in urban decay.

We need to make the streets of San Antonio as alive and vibrant as life alongside the river that runs beneath us.

jrussell@express-news.net