Looking Back, Looking Forward

It seems that 2014 was the year of gentrification for Dignowity Hill. In the past year much has been written in the media about Dignowity Hill, gentrification and the continued rise of the neighborhood as urban renaissance. Pundits, elected officials, academics and anti-gentrifiers have all offered opinions on how to deal with gentrification, which essentially is an issue of change. Well, depending on whom you talk to the Dignowity Hill gentrification train is either coming around the bend or left the station a long time ago.

In the last almost 7 years the neighborhood has experienced a good amount of change or dare I say progress. In 2008 Dignowity was beginning to feel the first waves of noticeable revitalization, even as a deep recession was taking hold. A kind of coolness was setting in as Dignowity was being “discovered”. Brave urban pioneers were beginning to invest in the neighborhood. Dignowity was getting known for its Pushcart Derby. Gentrification was but a whisper in 2008. By 2014 a number of significant projects and events had taken place that set both the neighborhood and the Eastside on a seemingly upward trajectory of revitalization.

Some of those key events include:

• The BRAC at Ft. Sam Houston, which brings the first noticeable attention to Dignowity and the Eastside. (2007-2010)
• The development and approval of the neighborhood and re-investment plans (2009) 
• The first of the Eastside Economic summits is held. (2010) 
• The opening of the Hays Street Bridge (2010) 
• The first STAR event is held in Dignowity (2010) 
• Dignowity Historic District gets historic street signs (2011) 
• Alamo Brewery project surfaces as a concept (2011) 
• The city is awarded the $24 million Eastside Promise Neighborhood Grant (2012) 
• City council with support from the DHNA approves the Alamo Brewery project (2012) 
• The Choice Grant is awarded to the city (2012) 
• Cherry Modern gets approval to build new housing near the Hays St Bridge (2013) 
• Alamo Brewery breaks ground (2013) 
• Alamo Brewery ribbon cutting (2014)

Siclovia 2014 is routed through Dignowity Hill.

For Dignowity these projects and events have certainly contributed to the ongoing revitalization or as some would say, gentrification, of the neighborhood. In the background of these relatively high profile projects an ongoing almost quiet activity of private investment in the neighborhood has been occurring. This is most evident in the real estate market for Dignowity. In 2008 you could buy a near tear down for $40,000. In some cases in the midst of the recession foreclosed properties could be had for less than $30,000. By 2014 well-restored houses were selling between $200,000 and $400,000. Empty lots are now being listed for over $40,000. Developers and flippers have discovered Dignowity. A new housing development, Cherry Modern, sold units starting at around $178, 000. The brewery project's $7 million investment, while generating controversy, is being seen as a catalyst for additional business development. This activity by both major and small investors is what is driving most of the conversation around gentrification. Questions with no clear answers are being asked. Will this activity displace any of our lower income neighbors? Will these development projects change the character of the neighborhood? Will the historic nature of the neighborhood be affected?

Moving forward it seems that change/gentrification/revitalization issues as they affect Dignowity will be discussed and dissected for a while. The problem when discussing and analyzing gentrification, as many have discovered, is that it is difficult to define it in general as it applies to a particular context. The affects of this type of change certainly impacts the built environment in a neighborhood as properties are fixed up but can be difficult to measure on a human scale. The current gentrification conversation in San Antonio tends to get twisted and rendered inert around topics of displacement, rising property values and rising property taxes. Assertions are made that displacement is occurring in the neighborhood but no quantifiable evidence can be produced. Displacement can be an issue if it’s done in incorrectly without regard to the consequences. On the other hand, there is some validity to the rise in prices and taxes but those are natural outcomes of both market driven change and taxing entities assessments based on market conditions. Is any of this a good thing? The trends we’re now seeing in Dignowity were set in motion over the last few years through a combination of city government policies/incentives, public investment and private dollars flowing into the neighborhood. Those trends have gathered traction and will most likely continue into the next few years.

Looking ahead some things are certain as we move into 2015:

• The real estate market in Dignowity will remain active and to some degree speculative that will continue to drive property prices upwards.
• Developers are eyeing empty tracts in the neighborhood for multi-housing and infill housing projects. 
• Business development activity will continue and needs to be encouraged. 
• Incentives offered by the city have been in place for sometime to attract private investment into neighborhood and will continue to help make investment in Dignowity attractive. 
• Historic preservation issues vs development issues will need to be thoughtfully navigated.
• Millennials will continue to be attracted to the neighborhood.

To temper things a bit and for a reality check:

• Dignowity Hill is a relative poor neighborhood. Poverty is a growing problem in the city as wealth segregation increases. According to recent published data the zip code 78202, which covers all of Dignowity, has the highest percentage of poverty in the city. The median income for a family of 4 hovers around $27,000, below the city average of $45,000.
• Educational attainment is a huge issue. Recent data indicate that only 38% of residents in the neighborhood finished high school. 
• Crime is still perceived as being an issue. 
• Basic infrastructure needs such as street repairs, sidewalks, etc, are still being deferred by the city. 
• City council is in a state of flux and representation on city council for our district may change again in May 2015.

Neighborhood street after a rain. No sidewalks or curbs

Change is needed and welcomed but we need to be mindful of not pushing our more needy neighbors out. Mitigating the adverse affects of gentrification will be key. The mayor's appointed panel to look at changing neighborhoods is struggling to define gentrification as it applies to the city. Workable solutions are still a ways in coming. In the meantime, community building that can restore the frayed edges of the neighborhood still has a place in the neighborhood. Transformational leadership at the grassroots will be required. The neighborhood association can certainly be an advocate for improving the quality of life and should continue to work with elected officials and city staff to address structural issues. However, transformational leadership is needed to change lives and often occurs when individuals or small groups take the lead to tackle a challenge or solve a problem. For example, a neighbor recently took on the issue of monitoring the trains that block traffic in and out of the neighborhood. Another neighbor is tutoring her neighbors with GED assistance on her front porch. A group of neighbors are discussing the idea of developing a farmer’s market model that is affordable for our community. We need more individuals to help mentor and tutor our neighborhood kids. I’m encouraged by the millenials that are moving into the neighborhood for they bring not only new energy but new ideas as well that will lead to transformational change. Finally, I'm also encouraged by long time residents that welcome the revitalization of the neighborhood.

So my wish for the neighborhood for 2015 is to continue working for progress in a balanced manner. I challenge those in the neighborhood that are willing to be transformational leaders to get after it. Don’t be discouraged by the naysayers or by institutional barriers. There’s lots of work still to be done.

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Reflections: Being a Community Leader

I recently stepped down as the president of the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association. After five years of serving in that role I welcome the change. It's time for some else to pull this cart! Don't get me wrong I have truly enjoyed being in that role. During my stint I met many wonderful people, dealt with interesting and challenging issues and hopefully gained some wisdom of how to be a leader in a changing community.  When I stepped into the president's role in April 2009 it was with a great deal of naivete and plenty of apprehension. Being relatively new to the Eastside I wasn't sure how I would fit into the dynamics of the Eastside and our neighborhood. Little that I realized at the time that Dignowity Hill was at the cusp of a sea change that would go beyond our neighborhood.

I can list a number of significant events that happened during my turn as as president.  For example the re-opening of the historic Hays Street Bridge, Alamo Brewery getting the nod to build next to the Hays Street Bridge, the Eastside Economic Summits, Historic Street signs were installed,  the Eastside Promise Neighborhood and Choice grants were awarded to the city, and the progression in the re-vitalization of Dignowity Hill accelerated.  During this time we also adopted a neighborhood and reinvestment plan.  Many if not all of these initiatives were all ready in the works or were a result of political decisions to make things happen. I just happened to be at the right place, at the right time.

Hays Street Bridge

Being president of a community organization such as a neighborhood association is a rewarding, humbling and frustrating experience all rolled up into one package.   Neighborhood associations are the rawest form of democracy where folks can voice an opinion as part of the civic process that can shape a neighborhood and influence elected officials.  Being in a leadership role of a neighborhood association role requires patience, perseverance, a thick skin, good organizational and leadership skills. Mostly, you need a willingness to serve, be accessible, responsive and have the ability to connect with people.  For those of you out there that aspire to serve as president of your neighborhood association here are some insights that I gained over the last 5 years:

Relationships Matter
Never underestimate the power of relationships and good will. Always keep in mind that people matter and so do their concerns.You may have the title of president and have multiple degrees or certificates but they don't mean a thing if can't connect with people. That means following up when someone calls you about a concern or a complaint. The little things matter. Common sense matters.   Credibility is the bottom line and you earn that by treating people with respect and dignity.

Community Fair in Dignowity Park-2009

Be Flexible
All organizations need structure and neighborhood associations are typically govern by a set of by laws. Learn the by laws and follow them without becoming rigid in your thinking. You need to find a balance between structure and letting things happen organically. In a changing neighborhood like Dignowity people need to feel that they are part of a movement and that their voice matters. It's good to have structured agendas for meetings and committees that do specific tasks but you also need to feel comfortable with the ambiguity that comes when people are allowed to be creative. Not all neighborhoods are alike and Dignowity stands out, at least for now, as a neighborhood where diversity and eclectic notions blend nicely as residents still feel the need to build community.

Learn the Regs
Serving as president of a neighborhood association is an education in zoning ordinances, code compliance, city and county government policies and bureaucratic acronyms. If you happen to live in a historic district then you need to gain some understanding of design guidelines and become familiar with preservation issues. Never stop learning!   

Dig into the Issues
Learn as much as you can about whatever issue is affecting your neighborhood. For example, gentrification has become a hot topic for urban core neighborhoods such as Dignowity as revitalization efforts or zoning changes are starting to change the face of the neighborhood.  In fill housing, the quality of our schools, public safety, and quality of life issues are topics that are neighborhood agenda issues especially in an urban core neighborhood.  In a historic district like Dignowity you need to evaluate how historic preservation issues and design guidelines can impact a neighborhood economically.  Layer that with developers looking to build new construction in your historic district and immediately a tension forms. Your life just got more interesting! 

Advocate or Activist

Will you be an advocate or activist when comes to your neighborhood association? These two terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference in their definitions.  An advocate is typically one who speaks on behalf of a group or another person.  An activist is an individual who makes an intentional action to bring about social or political change.  I saw myself more of an advocate than an activist especially in the role of representing the neighborhood association's interests either in the media or in forums where public relations are important. On the flip side, you will more than likely have to deal with the activists in your group. Not a bad thing, it tends to keep things real!

It's Not Personal
Neighborhood politics tend to be raw and at times unfiltered.  In the time I served as president I was harangued, demonized, and generally disliked by folks that were on opposite sides of an issue. This was especially true during the period when the brewery project became such a hot topic.  I had to acknowledge that the criticism directed towards me was not personal. It comes with the territory of being the face of the neighborhood and supporting the positions that the association takes. It's not personal!

Leadership Style
The thoughts I mention above are rooted in emergent leadership. I think that approach can serve any aspiring community leader.  Emergent leaders are comfortable with not knowing all the answers. They typically seek consensus and behave more like a coach than a general. They share information freely and communicate clearly. They are energetic and tend to inspire others into action. They tend to be empathetic and compassionate. Collaboration is usually a favorite approach to getting things done because they see the value of multiple perspectives.
Does this style fit everyone? It depends on an individual's temperament, skill set and the lens through which one sees the world. In end what may matter most is to be comfortable with yourself, try not to step on any cow patties and have fun! When it's time to step aside you do so with grace.

As I mentioned, I really do welcome the chance to sit back a bit. I was fortunate to be a part of the initial wave of revitalization of the Eastside and my stint was truly a great ride. My hope is that things will continue to move forward, especially for the neighborhoods.  I feel that perceptions are beginning to turn positive for the Eastside and our neighborhood.
I'll still be involved as I serve on other boards related to Eastside activities.....but..... in the meantime, perhaps I can convince my wife to buy that Teardrop trailer and hit the road for a spell!

Gentrification or Progress?

Ever since moving into the neighborhood in 2007 I have been hearing noise from journalists, academics and anyone who thinks is an expert raise the issue of gentrification.  Over the last couple of years our neighborhood has garnered its fair share of attention through the media and other informational sources namely because of the active revival and renewal of the neighborhood.  In September of 2012 the Rivard Report, a widely read local blog that focuses on urban renaissance issues published wrote an article on the G word and Dignowity Hill: http://therivardreport.com/the-g-card-defining-gentrification-in-dignowity-hill/.  Just recently an article appeared in the local newspaper in which the columnist describes the progress in Dignowity Hill as gentrification. You can read his article at:  http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2014/02/the-g-word-and-the-near-east-side/.

The Friedrich House

724 Olive St

Some people are quick to draw and voice conclusions that Dignowity is undergoing pronounced gentrification without looking deeper into what is really happening in the neighborhood.  Undoubtedly the neighborhood is making progress in becoming an attractive place to live. The proximity to downtown, older but relative good housing stock, the historical character of the neighborhood, an active neighborhood association and the fact that it is still a neighborhood with a solid sense of community all have combine to create demand for Dignowity as a desirable urban core  neighborhood. Add the Alamo Brewery project that is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2014 and a new market rate housing project on Cherry St and suddenly the buzz on the street is that Dignowity is the place to be.

Alamo Brewery Ground Breaking

Alamo Brewery Construction Site

Cherry Modern Housing

Is this demand for the neighborhood a symptom of gentrification? The answer is maybe, maybe not.  Gentrification is a complex process of revitalization and change that has been around for generations. On one hand it can be a way to bring back a distressed neighborhood and bring much needed improvement to the quality of life in a struggling neighborhood. So gentrification to some degree can be a good thing. On the other hand, gentrification has justifiably developed a negative connotation because one of its effects is the displacement of poorer residents when newcomers come in. This tends to drive away long time and mostly poorer residents through higher rents or the buying up of distressed properties. In some cases gentrification is the result of intentional zoning changes that literally forces gentrification to be accelerated.

In Dignowity there is no evidence of the classic definition of gentrification that is generally characterized by wholesale displacement of residents by newcomers. The private investment occurring in the neighborhood has focused on vacant or abandoned houses or lots. As far as I know no one has complained about being displaced because newcomers pushed them out. Folks either sell their properties willingly or folks buy properties that are in various stages of disrepair. This trend has brought improvements to the neighborhood but the movement has been glacially slow which is a good thing. This has allowed the neighborhood and residents time to be sensitive to the changes that are occurring.  What is interesting is that some of the long time residents say there are ok with these improvements and welcome the progress. Some of these long time residents are calling this process "re-gentrification" of the neighborhood. At the same time the new comers are bringing in much needed energy and resources and so far these folks are being sensitive and respectful of the neighborhood's character and fabric.

Restoration in progress - Hays St

Restored 1912 house - Burnet St

Restored house - Burnet St

To put things in another perspective, the neighborhood still has a number of challenges that need to be addressed. For example, infrastructure improvements are badly needed. In some parts of the neighborhood there are streets with no sidewalks or curbs and bad drainage. Many parts of the neighborhood could use improved street lighting. The demographics of the neighborhood indicate a large Hispanic population with many families and individual living near poverty levels. We have a critical need for infill housing.  Walk any part of Dignowity and chances are you will see one of the many empty lots that litter the neighborhood landscape.  Another challenge are absentee property owners who do not care about maintaining their properties.  For many of us that chose to move into Dignowity we have accepted those challenges and are working to make the necessary improvements to raise the quality of life of the neighborhood and for residents. 

St Charles St after a rain. No curbs, no sidewalks, no drainage

One of the many empty lots in the neighborhood.

Neglected house on Pine Street

Is gentrification happening in Dignowity Hill? May be, may be not. There is no question that newcomers have been moving into the neighborhood bringing with them a new energy. Many but not all long time residents have been accepting of the changes that are occurring.  At the same time the neighborhood is still dealing with the general affects of disinvestment that has plague the eastside for the last three or more generations. The good thing is that neighborhood residents are beginning to engage in a conversation around gentrification. The reality, however,  is that neighborhood revitalization does not occur without a degree of gentrification. The trick is to ensure that sustainable community building is occurring along with gentrification. That means improving the infrastructure, involving residents in creating a vision for the neighborhood, and strengthening the social fabric of the neighborhood. A key component to good neighborhood health are the schools. Great neighborhoods have great schools. we're not there yet, at least not in the public school arena.  It has been suggested that policies be put in place to protected and incentivize long time and poorer residents from moving away. That would help mitigate some of the negative affects associated with gentrification. Ultimately we in the neighborhood must work for change to happen if we expect the neighborhood to move forward.

Buyer Beware!

The recent attention that our neighborhood has gotten is all well and good. In the last few weeks several articles have appeared in the local media that underscore how much Dignowity Hill has progressed in the minds and hearts of those that pay attention to these things. The interest in our neighborhood comes from its historical character, the architectural characteristics of the housing stock, the close proximity to downtown and the great sense of community that the neighborhood has been able to sustain over time. This has led to a high demand for houses in our neighborhood which is a good thing. That in turn has brought in investors that are buying these old homes who are then are selling them as completely restored or rehabbed houses. Here is where caution needs to be exercised!

For those who have their eyes on one of the recently restored house or a fixer upper in the neighborhood, here are some things to keep in mind:

• As a buyer the real estate agent is not your friend! Realtors are sales people working for the seller not the buyer. They are motivated to get the highest price possible to maximize their commissions.  I'm not saying that realtors are not useful, they can provide great information regarding a property, but keep in mind that they are trying to sell you a house and their interests lies with the seller not the buyer. 

• Do your homework! There is no excuse to not be well informed about a neighborhood or a property. There are a number of on line services that can provide basic information about a property. Services like Zillow or Realtor.com are good starting points. You can also research property records through the county's tax appraisal web site. For San Antonio properties you can go to http://www.bcad.org/ for the Bexar County Appraisal web site to search for property information by owner, address or account number or DBA.

• Older houses present a unique set of issues that need to be carefully assessed. If you're interested in a fixer upper then you need to understand that you will be assuming all of the risk and costs associated in buying/fixing up a distressed property.  If you're buying a restored or rehabbed house then always get a house inspection done! Never take the word of the realtor or the contractor on the condition of an older house no matter how good the finish may look on the surface.  A house inspection prior to finalizing a sale should assess the major structural and functional systems of a house. Structural assessments should always include the foundation especially if the house is built on a pier and beam foundation which is typical of older houses. The drainage around an older house should be assessed along with the foundation. Often times a foundation will fail because of poor drainage that allows water to seep underneath a house. The roof should always be checked for leaks, the age of the roof and assess the integrity of the rafter and trusses. The inspections should also include an assessment of the attic insulation. Make sure it is up to code!

• Get a survey done. While a survey is always done as part of the closing on a property make sure you that you review the survey before you sign off on the a property. This is especially critical in an older neighborhood where property lines make become compromised by encroaching fence lines or in some cases houses that have shifted onto the neighbors property line. 

• Assessment of the functional systems such electrical, plumbing and HVAC in an older house is a must. Ideally it is optimal to upgrade these systems in older houses as often times the wiring and plumbing is outdated and/or does not meet current code. Ask if permits were pulled for any of construction work done on the house. By code any work done on electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems should be performed by a licensed individual or company. As a consumer you have the right to know if the quality of the work performed met current standards and codes. A permit ensures that any work performed on house systems meets code and requires an inspection by the city for approval.  In San Antonio you can check the city's Planning and Development website to research if permits were pulled for any property undergoing construction. Go to http://www.sanantonio.gov/dsd/index.asp to access permit information. 

The bottom line: Be prudent, do your homework and ask lots of questions! 

   

Slum Watch in Dignowity

Lets face it, we have a slum lord problem in our neighborhood. We have abandoned and neglected properties and in some cases dangerous structures that create unsightly blight.  In the midst of what is becoming a tangible revitalization effort in our part of the world we are still saddled with properties that are owned by individuals or investors that for whatever reason do not take care of their properties. Neglected and distressed properties are a huge problem for neighborhoods and the city. Studies have shown that vacant and distressed properties have an adverse affect on a neighborhood's quality of life, property values and the overall sense of community. Vacant and neglected buildings raise the probability of increased crime as they become havens for petty burglars or drug dealers/users. Despite the fact that residents and the neighborhood association over the last several years have loudly complained about these properties there seems to be little or no progress made on this front. Something needs to done.

A friend of mine recently sent me a link to a blog called Baltimore Slumlord Watch, you can find the blog at http://slumlordwatch.wordpress.com/about-us/  The blog began in 2009 as a way for Baltimore residents to share information about the city's many slumlords. Started by a resident who was tired of watching out of town “investors” and others who can negatively impact neighborhoods as a result of their negligence.  The blog has become a way of publicly calling out property owners who let their properties become an eyesore.

Last year one my neighbors, Tyler Tully, wrote an excellent article in the Rivard Report (http://therivardreport.com/attacking-urban-decay-take-back-neglected-property/) that addressed the urban decay that affects San Antonio's inner city neighborhoods. The article referenced Baltimore as a model of how urban decay can be addressed. Unfortunately San Antonio is not Baltimore. As Tyler points out in his article, code compliance in San Antonio is like a pit bull with out teeth. There are city ordinances in the books that specifically spell out steps to be taken to address vacant structures and vacant lots. You can find those ordinances at http://www.sanantonio.gov/ces/responsibilites.aspx  Yet it is a slow and excruciating process to hold these slum property owners accountable.

I personally know some of the good folks that work for the city's code enforcement department and as residents we tend to beat up on our code enforcement officers for the lack of visible progress on those neglected and abandoned properties that litter our own neighborhood. These code enforcement officers are doing their jobs within the confines of the ordinances. The real problem as Tyler pointed out in his article is the lack of an incentive for owners to fix up their properties because they do not want higher property taxes and current laws designed to protect responsible property owners in essence also protect irresponsible property owners.  In his article, which was published in July of 2013, Tyler provided some great ideas and solutions that could be implemented to attack the urban decay that is visible in our inner city neighborhoods. So here we are six months later and the only thing that I know of that has occurred is the reorganization of the city's code compliance department. We still have many of the same neglected properties that were present when we first moved into the neighborhood in 2007! 

So in the spirit of the Baltimore Slumlord Watch blog I will periodically be posting an image of a neglected property in the Dignowity Hill area that has been deemed unsafe, abandoned or has been neglected beyond a reasonable amount of time. The information for these properties comes from public records that are easily accessible by anyone on the Bexar County Appraisal District web site: http://www.bcad.org/  The intention is to highlight these properties publicly and perhaps motivate both the city, county and these property owners to do something positive about their properties. We need to do something about this pernicious slum lord mentality. If you own property in Dignowity Hill then keep it clean or clean it up!

 819 Lamar
Property Owner: Patel Balubhai
Legal Description:NCB 1368 BLK 5 LOT 19
This property has been declared a dangerous premise by the city.
A notice on the structure indicates that the property went before the city's Building Standards Board on November 14, 2013 

New Year and New Starts!

The start of a new year is traditionally when we make resolutions to better our selves, our community, our world. I've never been big on New Year resolutions since I feel new starts can be made at any time in our lives but in the spirit new beginnings for a new year here some thoughts.
My only resolution is kick start this blog! I haven't posted since June of 2013 and lots has happened in the last 6 months!  To catch up and on a personal note, I left the corporate world of health care in April of 2013.  Some may call it a retirement, after all I'm past 60 but I call it a transition. I'm busy with various projects such starting a guest house business, serving on several non profit boards and working for a local credit union as their community/business liaison on a part time basis.  We're keeping our eyes out for another old house restoration/rehab project.  I'm still serving as the president of our neighborhood association but that gig is coming to a close in April of this year. That's a good thing. Change is always good and its time for someone else to pull the cart.  I have to say, however, that being the prez of our neighborhood association has been a great experience for me. I've learned lot about neighborhood and city politics, I have met some great folks as well as some folks I rather have not ever met. But most importantly it's a privilege to be involved in the process of community building.
Dignowity Hill has come a long ways in the time since we moved into the community in 2007. We continue to see private investment in the restoration or rehab of our older houses. A steady stream of new comers continues to either move in or raise the awareness of the neighborhood as a desirable place to live. On the other hand, the big disappointment is the lack of public investment in basic infrastructure improvements not just in our neighborhood but in the general area of the eastside.  The economic summits that were organized in 2010 to chart a path for revitalization in the eastside have been a disappointment as well because neighborhood needs have not been addressed properly.  Investors and potential businesses seeking to relocate to the eastside have sent a message to our elected officials and paid city staff that the basic infrastructure needs of the neighborhoods to be fixed first before consistent investment will take hold on the eastside. My hope in 2014 is that someone in city government can find a way to allocate more dollars for basic needs in the neighborhoods otherwise the already slow pace of revitalization could be slow down even further.

There are of course other bright spots even shining stars in the midst of the slow pace of revitalization. The Choice Housing Grant is starting make an impact in area of the eastside with persistent poverty. The Eastside Promise Neighborhood Education Grant is making some headway although its been slowed down by the bureaucracy of its administrative agency. These two grants represent close to $60 million in federal dollars. That's a lot taxpayer money going directly into the community. The best news to hit our neighborhood was the ground breaking for the Alamo Brewery to be built next to the historic Hays Street Bridge.  Despite the controversy that this brewery generated,  the construction of the brewery means private investment in the eastside, city support in the form of incentives and most importantly the opportunity to potentially create an environment to attract additional investment in area. It's all good at this point!

In August of 2013 a large scale mural was installed on the underpass of Nolan Street...see the image below. In many ways the mural with its dynamic use of color and free flowing graphic design represents the energy that has developed in our part of the world.  This blog has always been about the happenings in and around Dignowity Hill and it will continue to be that way as we move forward into 2014 but look for an expanded view as well and like the mural my intent is to capture that energy as we move forward into making the world a better place. Peace in 2014! 

Dedication of the Mural on the Nolan Street Underpass.

Lockwood Park Is Moving on Up!

The rock seating installation in Lockwood Park is moving along nicely. Workers have been working feverishly for the last couple weeks and we're starting see visible progress! Once completed the are will be transformed into a nice gathering space with a great view of downtown!
The project was the award winning submission of the Lighter Quicker Cheaper neighborhood revitalization contest sponsored by Texas Public Radio (TPR). The idea for the concept came from a Dignowity Hill resident who thought it would be cool to improve the seating in one of the parks to view the downtown fireworks displays. Working with neighborhood residents, the city's Parks and Recreation department and TPR the final concept for the seating was decided upon in September.  The project will be completed by the time the annual Pushcart Derby rolls around on Oct 27, 2012 when the seating will be dedicated and celebrated!

Progress

Ok, maybe it's not that big of deal for neighborhoods that have good, basic infrastructure already in place but for older urban core neighborhoods like ours, getting new sidewalks installed IS a big deal! Some things just take awhile to get done but after almost 3 years years of pushing for sidewalk repairs the city finally came through for us. There are still areas of the neighborhood that don't have sidewalks, curbs or good drainage but this is a step in the right direction.  It's amazing what new concrete can do for appearances!

How about this, a new outdoor restroom was installed in Lockwood Park!  This is a small victory! Our parks have not had restroom facilities for a number of years because of budget cuts but I could never figure out why other parks in more affluent areas of the city seem to have these amenities while parks in neighborhoods in the urban core are neglected. 

We Come in Peace!

After over a year of intense community debate, dissection by the media and misplaced johnny come lately organized opposition, the city council gave a unanimous vote in approving the microbrewry plan next to the Hays Street Bridge to go forth and multiply many more Alamo Beer fans.  While some lingering concerns remain regarding the use of the space on the bridge overall this is a a good thing for the neighborhood and the city.

One of the many smoke screen issues that surfaced during the vetting process was around how the newcomers to the neighborhood are the ones that have been pushing the economic development notion over having another park next to the old bridge....and in the process are the ones that are pushing out long time residents in their quest to invest in the neighborhood. Well, the bucket that tried holding that argument was full of holes. The brewery project is about private investment in a long neglected waste land with a serious touch of blight. No one is being displaced because of this project or to put it another way, the brewery is not the root cause of some major gentrification trend!

My good friend and neighbor, Tony C, spoke eloquently before our esteemed city council about being a newcomer to the neighborhood. One comment that he made was classic: "we newcomers come in peace".  Well said! Tony and his wife Sonya moved into the neighborhood 2 years ago and quickly became involved in neighborhood/community building activities. They joined the neighborhood association, they participate in the tutoring and mentoring program for the neighborhood elementary school, they also started a garden club for the after school program at the Ella Austin Community Center called the Germinators, and they are core members of the community garden group. Tony is a member of the board of directors for the neighborhood association so he's learning the ropes of community leadership.  These folks are compassionate doers that believe in building community.

Newcomer Tony and all around good guy!

The reality is that the old neighborhood is changing and it's changing in a positive direction because of newcomers like Tony and Sonya and others who bring much needed new energy and vibrancy to a neighborhood in the mist of transition. Together these newcomers along with long time residents are creating a a wonderful synergy of ideas that is leading to improved quality of life for all neighborhood residents.  Will full blown gentrification happen in our neighborhood? Maybe, maybe not. What we're experiencing in Dignowity at the moment is a spurt of urban renaissance.  We have a long ways to go before any one can start claiming that Dignowity Hill has become gentrified. 

New Life for an Old Building

A couple of years ago I posted a rambling about the number of ex-corner store buildings that dot the neighborhood (http://dhsa1.blogspot.com/2009/09/corner-storesliterally.html). Back in the day, the neighborhood corner store was a common feature of not only our neighborhood but other older neighborhoods in the city. With the emergence of big grocery chains and declining population as folks moved to the suburbs, many of these old corner stores shut down.

Well, recently one of those old corner store buildings in the neighborhood was bought by a couple of successful artists who have plans to re-purpose the building. In the past few weeks the old place has been spruced up and looking good. Can't wait till the grand old lady is given a fresh coat of paint!
Go to http://whistlestopcorner.blogspot.com/ for more info on this project!

Built in a Day- Kaboom Playground

Over 200 community volunteers converged at the Ella Austin Community Center to build an inter-generational playground.  Primarily funded through a grant by Humana Healthcare with the support of United Way, the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association, Ella Austin CC,  the playground was designed by neighborhood kids and seniors from the community center. It was a great team effort as the playground emerged within 6 hours of starting construction. What a wonderful way to build and transform a community!

Historic Home Owners Fair

What a day! Attended and participated in the Historic Homeowner's Fair at Jefferson High School. What a fun day! Lots of networking and sharing of ideas. Caught up with friends from other historic neighborhoods and made new ones! I'm always amazed how many folk know about Dignowity Hill! Met some potential new neighbors. Exciting, can't wait to see how they will do with the place they are buying!

Mystery Solved

The historic street signs have been going up in the historic district for the last several weeks. But up until this weekend no one had actually seen any city crews installing the signs. The signs seemed to magically appear from one day to the next on different intersections in the neighborhood. Well, I finally spotted a crew installing some signs this weekend. I caught up with Mr Romo and Mr Gonzalez from the city's public works department working on the corner of Olive and Lamar. Looking good!

Brewery Idea is Good

This past week there's been a lot of media attention regarding the proposed brewery operations that Alamo Brewery wants to build next to the Hays Street Bridge. I have to say that the idea of a brewery so close to our historic neighborhood has the potential to literally change the landscape in regards to economic and commercial development. What I'm hearing from my neighbors is all good and the idea of a brewery has a lot of appeal for changing a neighborhood like ours.

Honestly, adding another park to the neighborhood, while a noble proposition, will not generate economic activity. We have two great parks just blocks away from the Hays Street Bridge and in the time we have lived in the neighborhood I haven't seen any commercial activity start up because of the parks.

Personally I would like to see this brewery idea come to fruition. It just makes sense.









View of the Hays St Bridge at sunset. Night view of downtown SA from bridge.

Brewery or Park?

This is interesting.......all of sudden the area around the Hays Street Bridge has become the focal point of two competing and very different visions. On one hand we have Eugene Simor who owns Alamo Brewery Company. He has brought forth a proposal to build a brewery on city owned land adjacent to the historic Hays Street bridge. His vision is to have a brewery that is not only brewery production operation but a tourist destination as well complete with a rooftop brew haus.

On the other hand we have a proposal from the good folks that were responsible for pushing the restoration of the Hays Street Bridge to use a city owned tract of land adjacent to the bridge for a park, a skate board park to be specific.

Where it gets really interesting is that the city owned land is coveted by both Mr. Simor and the good folks that want a park. The city owned land was donated to the city by the Dawson family when the bridge restoration was completed with an apparent understanding that the land would be used for a park. Well, after some digging around I found out that there is no stipulation written into the city ordinance that accepted the donation that the land would be reserved to used for a park.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. The idea of a brewery has some appeal because it could be a catalyst or spark in further revitalizing the neighborhood and bring much needed economic development to our corner of the world but there are some concerns from neighbors regarding traffic, noise and crowds in the area. On the other hand, a park would be nice, after all you can never have enough green spaces in the city but most likely would not generate any real economic development. What's a little mystifying is that the folks that are pushing for the park have yet to reach out to the residents and the neighborhood association...not good form! So the question is: does the community support an enterprise that could possibly spark a substantial wave of revitalization or do we go for a park that is dedicated to skateboarders?......Hmmmm.

Catching Up

Just trying to catch up since the last posting! I didn't realize it's been since Feb when we had the "big snow" that I've posted anything of worth!
Lots of stuff happening lately. We had some new sidewalks put in on Hays Street. Yeah.! It may sound a little trivial but I get excited when new concrete is poured!
The city has dollars for some capital improvements in our neighborhood and we want to spend those $$$$!
The historic street sign project was a success and we should have our signs in place this summer!
City elections are next week and it looks like our council woman will be serving another term. I just can't see how her opponent has a chance!
The San Antonio Independent School District Board elections are also on for next week. This should be interesting as the mayor has endorsed some of the candidates....hmmmm.
Met the nice folks that rehab the house on Nolan Street...nice job!!
Stay tuned as there are some interesting developments brewing for the neighborhood!

Good Job!!

The Rock and Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon took place over the weekend. The race route came through part of western edge of our neighborhood. Over 30,000 runners/walkers signed up for the event including one our daughters. She ran the half marathon and finished in 2:05 hrs....Good Job, Jen!









The STAR project finished up this weekend. Close to 150 University of Texas at San Antonio students swarmed through the neighborhood to finish working on the 13 houses....Good Job, UTSA students!