By Edmond Ortiz
This edition of News Briefs casts a spotlight on the city of San Antonio’s attempt to craft a long-range redevelopment concept for the Wolff Stadium site.
Also, the organizer of Fiesta’s Night In Old San Antonio further reveals why it is canceling the 2027 Fiesta event.
Elsewhere, the city is proceeding with plans for a 2027 bond package, and park and natural space improvements on the East and South sides.
Finally, a local research institute is helping the city to gain a better understanding of the local stray dog population with an eye on potential solutions.
Oct. 21 meeting centers on Wolff Stadium reuse concept
The city held an Oct. 21 public meeting where residents, business owners, and community organizations got a chance to study the latest conceptual design plan for Wolff Stadium.
City officials are forming a long-term plan to repurpose the West Side site ahead of the San Antonio Missions baseball team’s planned relocation to a new downtown ballpark, which is under development along San Pedro Creek.
The Oct. 21 briefing highlighted community input, economic and market analysis, and design principles that are guiding the creation of the conceptual design plan.
City Council was briefed Oct. 15 on the city incorporating the Wolff Stadium redevelopment design concept into the city’s larger economic development strategic framework.
Conservation group reviews NIOSA losses, pledges Fiesta return
The organization behind Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA) said despite the cancellation of the 2027 edition of NIOSA is working to return to Fiesta in some way, but group members added that any such event would be smaller and more cost-efficient than NIOSAs of past years.
The Conservation Society of San Antonio held a special board Oct. 16 to further discuss why the CSSA board voted to not hold NIOSA in 2027.
Society officials acknowledged that the multi-day event – one of the most popular Fiesta attractions each year – has financially struggled in recent years.
Society members explained that the 2026 version of NIOSA attracted 48,000 people, a far drop from 92,700 revelers that were recorded in 2004.
The group had formed a task force to explore the extent of NIOSA’s challenges, which amounted to total net losses of more than $851,700 from the last three years.
In addition to declining attendance, CSSA members cited rising operational costs, a decrease in the number of visitors consuming alcoholic beverages, and construction projects at the longtime home venue, La Villita, and less public space available for the group to occupy at La Villita.
CSSA officials said they would keep analyzing NIOSA and its other fundraising events and initiatives. They added that any future edition of NIOSA or other Fiesta event would likely be held at a more accessible venue with cheap or no rent, and can accommodate 20,000 attendees nightly.
The Conservation Society’s decision to cancel 2027 NIOSA has sparked a wider public conversation about organizers of other major Fiesta events and their ability to cope with sobering trends such as less than ideal attendance and escalating costs.
The St. Mary’s University Alumni Association recently announced plans to rebrand and revamp its Fiesta fundraiser, Oyster Bake, as the Fiesta Oyster Bake Music Fest, which will have greater emphasis on live music acts.
City names 2007 bond committee chairs
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones on Oct. 21 announced the selection of Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison, Jim Perschbach and Mario Obledo. Jr., as tri-chairs of the city’s 2027 bond development program.
The city is looking to float a bond package in a May 2027 election. One scenario that City Council recently studied has the city proposing a $442 million bond to fund various infrastructure, parks, facilities and housing projects.
Perschbach is president and CEO of Port San Antonio. Jamison is president and CEO of The Center for Health Care Services. Obledo is an executive with the San Antonio Food Bank.
“Our city’s infrastructure investments should be driven by community need and economic development, while also considering the historic inequities that shape disparities in everything from educational attainment to life expectancy,” Jones said in a statement. “I am confident Jim, Jelynne, and Mario are the right folks to lead this forward, and appreciate their willingness to serve our community in this way.”
Researchers use tech to help detail stray dog population
San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) is collaborating with local organization Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to update data about unrestrained dogs that roam San Antonio neighborhoods, according to a press release.
The city is utilizing advanced machine vision technology developed and tested at SwRI to refresh a 2019 survey on areas where roaming dogs are seen, and characteristics that may help distinguish between owned dogs and true stray canines.
Incidents involving stray dog attacks, including a fatal encounter with Ramon Najera, 81, in 2023, have heightened awareness among city leaders and community members about the local population of unrestrained animals, and a need to emphasize responsible pet ownership.
SAACS Director Jon Gary said it is important to comprehend what is happening in local neighborhoods in order to develop effective, community-based solutions.
“This study gives us another tool to better understand where we are seeing unrestrained dogs while also supporting our broader work to protect the health and safety of people and pets in San Antonio,” Gary said in a statement. “Ultimately, this study and the data we get from it will help promote responsible pet care and strengthen community connection.”
Now through December, SwRI researchers are surveying the same 32 study areas provided in the city’s 2019 survey using smartphone cameras and automated technology to identify dogs and gather information about whether they appear to be owned or genuinely stray.
SwRI will offer a final report with study findings to SAACS, which then will make recommendations to the City Council.
Enhancements touted for parks, bird sanctuary
The city earlier in October unveiled improvements made at Pickwell Park on the South Side. The $1.4 million, bond-funded upgrades include a larger playground with new all-inclusive equipment, a new shade structure, new basketball and pickleball courts, shade trees, sidewalks, parking lot modifications and water fountains.
Last month, the city broke ground on construction of a new East Side park, Holmgreen Park, at 914 Holmgreen St.
The new park will feature an accessible walking trail, solar lighting, a shaded fitness station, picnic tables, a drinking fountain, trash receptacles, a dog‑waste station, fencing, and new tree plantings. Plus, a new trail will connect Holmgreen Park to nearby Dellcrest Park.
Back on the South Side, the city and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center are about to begin construction on an educational and events pavilion at the migrating bird destination.
Supported by the city’s 2022 bond, the project will also include upgrades to interconnecting roads and parking spaces around MLAC. The new pavilion will be designed to accommodate nature education programming for grade-school students, and offer flexible event space for community groups and businesses.
