By Edmond Ortiz The city and the San Antonio Spurs have overcome another major barrier toward developing a new pro basketball arena downtown. Despite concerns and objections presented by some city leaders and residents, the city is pressing forward with a plan to leverage specific-use public funds to acquire the property that will accommodate the…
By Edmond Ortiz City Council had a busy morning Sept. 10, addressing key public safety issues, including endorsing a jail diversion pilot program, approving a new collective bargaining agreement with the local police union, and the confirmation of a permanent police chief. Jail diversion program The city will work with the Center for Health Care…
Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. STAGE Weekly Woodlawn Comedy at Woodlawn Theatre presents Friday Night Lights. Each Friday night features standup comics or improv comedy activities. Ages…
By Edmond Ortiz Affordable housing advocates are pushing two separate yet vital measures meant to deter further gentrification on San Antonio’s traditional West Side. Community land trust approved City Council on Sept. 3 designated Esperanza Community Land Trust, which is designed to help preserve a handful of existing West Side homes toward ensuring affordable rental…
By Edmond Ortiz Two of the San Antonio-area’s biggest chambers of commerce are looking into the feasibility of embarking on a formal partnership. What is happening The executive boards of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Metro SA Chamber each recently voted unanimously to create a joint committee to explore what it…
By Edmond Ortiz City Council is scheduled Sept. 10 to consider allocating nearly $116 million in specific use taxing income to buy land to accommodate a new San Antonio Spurs arena. But committing revenue from the downtown-area tax zone has sparked a larger conversation about the adequate use of such zone monies, and the priorities…
By Edmond Ortiz The Labor Day weekend edition of Light Bites highlights a new Mexican restaurant in the Deco District, new dining options in Helotes, Leon Valley and Windcrest, new coffee shops in Boerne, the South Side and far west Bexar County, and a French bistro on the near East Side. Elsewhere, the South Side…
By Edmond Ortiz This edition of Under Development is focused on the city of San Antonio recently approving four projects. One of those projects will yield improvements to Main Plaza, while other two initiatives could bring new apartments to the La Villita area and the South Side. Also, a new BEAT AIDS clinic has opened…
Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. CINEMA Sept. 5 San Antonio’s World Heritage Office will present a free screening of “The Lego Batman Movie” at Mission Marquee Plaza….
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh announced Sept. 2 the appointment of Assistant Police Chief Jesse Salame as the city’s next permanent police chief. City Council is expected to confirm the appointment Sept. 10, as Salame succeeds longtime Chief William McManus, who is retiring from public law enforcement effective Sept. 30. What…
