The Hays Street Bridge: The Object of our Affection and Discontent

It's been awhile since I've posted on this blog. With all the commotion going on with the proposed apartment project next to the Hays Street Bridge (HSB) I thought I would add my two cents. Ever since the restoration of the (HSB) was completed in 2010 the old bridge has been a source of affection and discontent. It seems that everyone loves the bridge and the discontent comes from what development around the bridge should be allowed. The recent proposal to build a 148-unit apartment building on the privately owned vacant land adjacent to the HSB has once again stirred passionate discussions along with a healthy amount of misinformation. I did some research to get a better understanding of the issues and here is what I learned:

• HSB is not for sale and the proposed project does not restrict access to the HSB.

• According to the HDRC application the proposed project, which is on privately owned land, all the work on the project will be separate from the bridge right of way. In other words the project will not physically touch or impact the bridge itself.

• Because the proposed project location is zoned downtown and is outside the boundaries of the Dignowity Hill historic district, this project was reviewed exclusively under the downtown design guidelines. The city’s Planning Department handles this review.

• The HSB is public property as well as a designated historic land mark and is protected under UDC Section 35-643 <https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/unified_development_code nodeId=ARTVIHIPRURDE_DIV4PUPR_S35-643ALRERE

• Additionally, because the bridge itself is a locally designated historic landmark it is also protected under city ordinance #68210 which was enacted in 1988. This ordinance gives the HSB Significant Historic Landmark designation.

• Having a significant historic landmark designation for the bridge does not change the way the proposed apartment project is reviewed. The project was and has been reviewed under the downtown design guidelines.

• The HSB currently does not have viewshed protection. UDC Section 35-643 <https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/unified_development_code?nodeId=ARTIIIZO_DIV4OVDI_S35-337VPVIPRMPMIPR  provides the criteria to create a viewshed district. The code lists 15 historic properties that are eligible for a Viewshed Protection District. The HBS is not included on this list but it could potentially make the list. In order for the HSB to be added to the list a UDC amendment would be required. Getting on the list does not automatically provide viewshed protection. Viewsheds must be established by ordinance to include a survey detail and parameters. Additionally, a zoning district overlay must also be approved for all affected properties. The Alamo is the only property that currently has this type of viewshed in place.

2008

The one thing that has not happened is a wider and balanced community conversation. This project surfaced in January of this year so it’s disappointing that the developers and the current Dignowity Hill NA leadership were not able to put their heads together to gain feedback from residents and other stakeholders prior to going to the HDRC meeting in October 2017.  There is precedence. 
During the run up for the Alamo Brewery proposal two DHNA meetings were held to hear both the opposition and the developers of the brewery project. Shortly after the DHNA voted to support the brewery project 2 additional community meetings were hosted by then D2 council woman Ivy Taylor. At the September 2017 DHNA meeting representatives from the developers presented their plans for the project. Unfortunately no follow up meetings were held prior to the HDRC meeting in October 2017. These types of projects truly deserve a closer look by the affected communities or neighborhoods. A community meeting for the proposed apartment project is in the works but no details have been shared yet.