VOLUME 63 | October 19, 2018
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Yesterday, City Council voted to approve the lease agreement with the Texas General Land Office to move forward with the restoration of Alamo Plaza. It’s been a four year process involving the City, State, the Alamo Executive Committee, the Alamo Citizen Advisory Committee, and all those who have submitted comments and attended community meetings.
I have to say, I joined the conversation about the Alamo with healthy skepticism. Fundamentally, my biggest concern was, if we grow the footprint and the focus of the Alamo, how will it affect the rest of the City? What will it do to one of our best known gathering spaces?
Although it is certainly not perfect, I ultimately supported the restoration plan because it will allow us to tell more of the Alamo’s rich story—which is of course tied to San Antonio’s story.
The Battle of 1836 is what the Alamo is most often associated with, yet the story extends beyond 1836. The new plan for Alamo Plaza should tell the site’s entire story: that of the indigenous peoples who predate the Alamo and were its early inhabitants; the Spanish who built it; and the Mexicans and Texians who fought to control it.
The area around Alamo Plaza is full of history, as well. The Woolworth Building, for example, is home to the first integrated lunch counter in the South. It’s yet another reason the Alamo deserves to be called the “Shrine of Texas Liberty.”
Our office has received over 100 emails and calls regarding the Alamo Plan. Many comments were supportive of the plan. The concerns we heard revolved around four issues: public access to the Plaza, the movement of the Cenotaph, preservation of the historic buildings around Alamo Plaza, and the continuation of the Battle of Flowers’ historic route. I and many of my colleagues pressed for each of these requests to be honored. As a result, the public will have full 24 hour access to the plaza; the Cenotaph will remain within the plaza, however it will be moved; the surrounding buildings, including the Woolworth Building, will be considered for reuse as an Alamo Museum and a reconstructing of the Woolworth’s counter will also be evaluated; and the Battle of Flowers route will be different, but the new configuration will allow for the tradition of laying the wreath at the Alamo and for added seating for the parade.
The plan was a collaboration between the State, who owns the Alamo, the City, who owns the streets around it, and the Alamo Endowment, who will help raise private dollars to assist with the restoration cost. It therefore reflects a compromise among all these entities. No one organization got everything they wanted, but I truly believe we all got something good.
Thank you to all who shared their thoughts on this. The proposal is better because you took the time to weigh in on it. You can view the presentation
here.
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From left to right: Assistant City Manager Maria Villagomez, Senator Jose Menendez's Chief of Staff Tomas Larralde, District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino, District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, State Representative Justin Rodriguez, and Woodlawn Lake Community Association President Alejandro Soto.
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Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center's
Guadalupe Dance Company
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Thomas Jefferson High School Mariachi
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One of the ways Councilwoman Sandoval wants to give you the answers you need about city government is through "Ask Ana Anything", a recurring part of the weekly District 7 newsletter. Have a question for Ana? Email it to
district7@sanantonio.gov with the subject "Ask Ana Anything".
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Hi Ana,
How did the Woodlawn Lake Park birthday party go? I couldn’t make it, unfortunately, but sure heard a lot about it from my neighbors!
Thanks,
Wowed on Woodlawn
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Dear Wowed,
Last Friday, over 3,000 people celebrated the 100th Birthday of Woodlawn Lake Park. Families from across the City showed up to honor the park so many have enjoyed over the years while watching Folklorico dancers and mariachi performers, taking photos with Coco characters, sharing cupcakes, and looking on at awe at the soaring fireworks. We even unveiled the Lone Star Legacy Award that the park received this year.
I was humbled to have had the privilege to host it for everyone who has enjoyed the park and everyone who has served as one of its many stewards. You can view some of the photos in this newsletter or the full album
here.
I'd like to say thank you to all the sponsors who made this special event possible, including the Tricentennial Commission, Parks & Recreation Department, the Greater YMCA of San Antonio, the Jefferson Woodlawn Lake Community Development Corporation, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Councilman Roberto Trevino, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, and State Representative Justin Rodriguez, and Spurs Sports & Entertainment.
Thank you for your question (and I hope you can make it to the next big event we hold!).
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Yours in public service,
Ana E. Sandoval
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Connect with Your Councilmember
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Councilwoman Sandoval has heard your feedback and now seeks to give residents an opportunity to speak directly to the city services you call about most. Schedule a 20 minute meeting with a representative from Animal Care Services, Code Enforcement or 311. Take your concerns directly to the city department, learn more about their processes, and gain a better understanding of how city services work together to address the needs of our community.
Call 210-207-0870 or email us at District7@sanantonio.gov to reserve an appointment. Representatives will only meet with pre-scheduled constituents of District 7.
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Community Meeting: Seeling Channel Phase 3
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Join Councilwoman Ana Sandoval and the City's Transportation & Capital Improvements Department for a community meeting on the third phase of the Seeling Channel Drainage Project. The project will reduce the risk of flooding to homes in the area and allow the City to construct additional drainage problems upstream, thus reducing flooding in those areas as well.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 23, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Madison Elementary School, located at 2900 Woodlawn Avenue.
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Coffee with Ana: Make an Appointment Now!
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Appointments are available for the upcoming Coffee's with Ana's! This is an opportunity for residents to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Councilwoman.
To make an appointment, call 210-207-0870 or send an email to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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"City Council member Ana Sandoval pointed to the increased intensity of storms and the rising frequency of flooding fueled by climate change as ways San Antonians are affected, whether they realize it or attribute that to fossil fuel usage."
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"'What it means to us as policymakers is we don’t have to implement some citywide or even countywide measure right now to find a reduction in ozone,' she said. 'We can use a scalpel and look at that area where the wind is coming from.'"
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"City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said, 'If we can find where they’re coming from, you can go to whoever operates that facility and say, 'Hey, I’d like to work together on possibly reducing these fumes.''"
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"The City Council approved portions of the Alamo Master Plan, 9-2, including moving the Alamo Cenotaph, closing streets in front of the monument, and leasing Alamo Plaza land to the Texas General Land Office."
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20th Anniversary of 1998 Flooding
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"Most San Antonio residents remember Saturday, Oct. 17, 1998, vividly: They recall where they were when they realized the city was underwater and would stay that way for days."
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"It was 20 years ago this week that a flood caused 25 deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage."
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"Exactly 20 years ago Wednesday, hundreds of San Antonians waded through chest-high water to escape their flooding homes along Salado Creek. Those who lived through the nightmare say that the fear still returns with every heavy downpour, even two decades later."
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"Twenty years ago this week, the Great Flood of 1998 transformed San Antonio."
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Community Health Priority Survey
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Want to make a difference? Let us know what are the 3 biggest health concerns in your community. The 5-minute survey will help us determine what’s on San Antonians’ minds when it comes to health. https://www.research.net/r/healthissues
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Application Open for Neighborhood Leadership Academy
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October 1st begins the application period for the 2019 Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA). Visit www.sanantonio.gov/NLA to apply or ask us a question by email at neighborhoods@sanantonio.gov The NLA is an interactive face-to-face program designed to equip residents with the knowledge, network, and skills to be effective neighborhood leaders. Selected participants will learn simple strategies to create, grow membership and increase effective communication between neighbors and associations.
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Goodwill San Antonio's Career Fair, October 25
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Goodwill San Antonio will host a Career Fair next Thursday, October 25th. The fair will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the TriPoint Event Center located at 3233 N. St. Mary’s Street. More than 50+ employers will be present.
Job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their resume, dress for success, and be prepared for on-site interviews.
Goodwill San Antonio’s Good Careers Center staff will be on-site to assist with resume development, job searching, interview practice, and one-on-one job coaching. For anyone seeking assistance prior to the career fair, they are welcome to meet with one of our Career Specialists by calling (210) 924-8581 for more information.
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Public Input Meeting: San Antonio Airport's Strategic Development Plan
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The San Antonio Airport System will conduct four public open house events to provide information about the Strategic Development Plan and to get input from community members and stakeholders on the Plan's progress to date.
Open house format: come-and-go as you please; a short presentation will be repeated 5:15, 6:00, and 6:45 p.m.
The Open House will inform you about the progress of the Strategic Development Plan, including expected future air travel demand, general future spaces needs for the major airport components, "Will it fit?" in the current location; and next steps.
Join us at an open house for the San Antonio Airport System Strategic Development Plan. Four identical open house are planned throughout the city.
Monday October 22, 2018
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
District 2 Senior Center
1751 South WW White Road
VIA bus route #550 or 551
Tuesday October 23, 2018
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
El Progreso Hall
1306 Guadalupe Street
VIA bus route #66 or 68
Wednesday October 24, 2018
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Stinson Municipal Airport
8535 Mission Road
12500 NW Military Hwy
Thursday October 25, 2018
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Center
VIA bus route #97 or 534
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Maverick Elementary hosts Recycle Drives to raise funds for New Outdoor Learning Space
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Maverick Elementary School has been a participant of the National Pepsi Co recycle challenge for the past three years. The school has placed in the top 10 nationwide for two years in a row!
The school accepts #1 & #2 plastics and aluminum cans. Funds raised will go towards the ECO Club's vision of creating an outdoor learning center for the students to enjoy. This year, the Pepsi Co Recycle Rally has doubled the top five prizes!
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Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) kicks off the 21st season of its Russell Hill Rogers Musical Evenings at
San Fernando Cathedral beginning with a performance by Korean pianist Sung Change at 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 21. The concerts series is free with a dessert reception with the artist(s) after each performance. Musical Evenings at San Fernando Cathedral are patterned after the free public performances in historic European locations, such as Venice and Amsterdam.
MBAW is a nonprofit arts organization that creates multicultural performances by international classical, jazz and ethnic folk musicians and performing artists. For more information, visit www.mbaw.org.
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Apply for Under One Roof Funds
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The Under One Roof Program repairs or replaces worn and damaged roofs with new, energy-efficient roofs for qualified homeowners. This year, the program is accepting applications city-wide.
The eligibility requirements for the program follow:
- Property must be within San Antonio city limits and have Homestead Exemption
- Property taxes must be current (no prior year taxes due)
- Be a US citizen or Legal Resident with no prior liens or Judgments
- Property must be SOLEY owned and occupied and less then 1500sqft
- Must meet established HUD Income limits income guidelines,
- Gross income must not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
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Office of Sustainability invites community to give input on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
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Share your thoughts on San Antonio's first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan at one of the Office of Sustainability's Open Houses. There is one scheduled in District 7 at the Young Women's Leadership Academy on
Saturday, October 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Refreshments and snacks will be provided. For more info, contact SAClimateReady@utsa.edu, call 210-207-06103, or visit SAClimateReady.org
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Military Retiree Appreciation Day, October 20
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To honor Military Retiree Appreciation Day, JBSA will host a BAMC Health Fair to include:
- Flu shots & vaccinations
- Pharmacy drug take-back
- Walk-in mammograms
- Nutrition services
- Prescription glasses (if prescription is less than 1 year old)
- TRICARE information
- Appointment services
- Clinic services
- and more
Participating services will include:
- Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Walk-In ID Card Services
- Casualty & Mortuary
- Exchange Services
- Retiree Activities Office
- Retired Enlisted Association
- Veteran Benefit Administration
- Texas Veterans Commission
- Bexar County Veteran Services
- San Antonio Veteran Center
- South Texas Veteran Affairs
- and more
The event is open to all military retirees, those transitioning into retirement, their spouses, and active duty. For more information, please call 210-221-9004.
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VIA offers Fare-Free Bus Rides on VIVA Routes for Museum Month
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In recognition of Museum Month in San Antonio, VIA Metropolitan Transit is offering fare-free service on all VIVA routes (11, 40 and 301) every Saturday in October.
Make the connection to culture aboard VIA and explore the heart of San Antonio.
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The State has proposed a draft plan for how to spend the $200 million dollars Texas will receive as part of the EPA’s settlement with Volkswagen. The funding will be used to reduce air pollution throughout Texas. The state is proposing to send approximately $73 million dollars to the San Antonio area (Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Wilson Counties.)
The public is invited to submit comments on the plan or attend public meetings. For more information on the proposal, as well as public meetings, please visit https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/trust/. Input may be sent to VWsettle@tceq.texas.gov.
The City of San Antonio will be submitting public comment advocating for funding for our area.
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To view more events, visit our calendar on the website
here.
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City of San Antonio Construction Job Fair
Date: October 20
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Southwest Service Center (6927 W Commerce)
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AAMPO's Walk & Bike Night
Date: October 24
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: VIA Metro Center (1021 San Pedro Ave)
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Trunk or Treat with the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
Date: October 27
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera)
*District 7 Staff will be in attendance.*
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Conversations on Civility
Date: October 29
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Oblate School of Theology
*Councilwoman Sandoval will serve as a panelist.*
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Date: November 15
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: VIA Metro Center (1021 San Pedro Ave)
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Tween Night with the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
Date: November 17
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Location: O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera)
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Tween Night with the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
Date: December 8
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Location: O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera)
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- Joseph Bravo
- Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
- 210.207.2727
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Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160
Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm
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Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park
By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.
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