City officials, nonprofit leaders and developers want to tap San Antonio’s next bond program to fund 304 projects costing $5.8 billion, from street repairs to improving drainage systems to building affordable housing.
Most of them will be disappointed.
City staff proposed Wednesday that the 2027 bond be $442 million, which would be the smallest bond package in more than 20 years.
The City Council would have to increase San Antonio’s property tax rate if they want to ask voters to approve a larger bond. Still, some council member said Wednesday that they’d like to see a $1 billion package of bond projects.
The bond program is typically broken up into categories such as streets and sidewalks, drainage, facilities, parks and housing.
Drainage and flood control projects make up about 43%, or $2.5 billion, of the $5.8 billion requested, while upgrades to streets, bridges and sidewalks comprise another 37% of the requests.
Council members and city staff will spend the coming months hashing out the size of the bond and what it’ll pay for before calling for an election. The program would likely go to voters in May.
City staff released a list of requests for bond dollars Wednesday.
Some of the biggest requests:
$744 million for ‘failed streets’
About 385 miles of city streets – 9% of San Antonio’s 4,350-mile network – are considered to be in failed condition, meaning the pavement is crumbling and requires extensive repairs. This is the estimated price tag for fixing all of them.
$332.5 million for Concepción Creek flooding
The city is proposing a massive drainage project to address major flooding along the creek from South General McMullen Drive to the San Antonio River on the Southwest Side.
$191.2 million for East Side infrastructure
San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside, Local Initiatives Support Corporation San Antonio, which provides financing and training, and VelocityTX, which operates a bioscience research hub, want $186.9 million to build sidewalks, improve highway underpasses and develop safer streets in neighborhoods east of downtown.
In separate requests, the organizations also asked that $1.8 million for drainage improvements on Chestnut Street and $2.5 million for upgrades at Fairchild Park.
$185 million for Northwest Side flood control
The city wants to upgrade a drainage system south of Overbrook Drive to mitigate flooding.
$166.25 million for Northeast Side drainage
The city wants to make drainage improvements along North New Braunfels Avenue between Austin Highway and Casana Avenue to address flooding.
$150 million for affordable housing city-wide
Four years after voters approved San Antonio’s first-of-its-kind $150 million housing bond in 2022, the money is running out. City staff are proposing a second bond of the same size to pay for building, preserving and rehabilitating more apartments, single-family homes and shelters.
$113 million for Northwest Side flooding
The city wants to fix flooding problems in the Kampmann Boulevard area between Babcock Road and Woodlawn Lake.
$100 million for South Side roads
The South Texas Business Partnership, an organization led by former District 4 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, is proposing the city make South Zarzamora Street between Loop 410 and Applewhite Road and streets around Texas A&M University-San Antonio wider for cars and safer for pedestrians.
$95 million for Leon Creek fixes
The city wants to allocate the funds for making drainage upgrades near Leon Creek at Grissom Road on the city’s Northwest Side.
$95 million for trails
That’s what the city says it would cost to complete 17 miles of remaining projects within the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System and connections to neighborhoods and businesses.
Other notable requests:
$63 million for infrastructure around Hemisfair and the Alamo
Extending East Nueva Street through the former World’s Fair site, installing utilities and rehabilitating historic buildings would cost $38 million. Improving East Commerce, East Market, South Alamo and Losoya Streets as well as improving the Torch of Friendship intersection would cost $25 million.
$40 million for upgrades at Port San Antonio
The organization behind turning the former Air Force base on the Southwest Side into a mix of advanced technology, defense, aerospace and logistics tenants is asking for funds to pay for improvements to Billy Mitchell Boulevard, Chennault Circle and General Hudnell Drive and green space.
$33 million for three museums
The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum requested $13 million to help the organization turn the historic Kress Building downtown into space for exhibitions, classrooms and events.
The San Antonio Museum of Art is asking for $10 million for renovations, improvements to outdoor space and River Walk access, as well as a “potential mixed-use joint venture.” The DoSeum also is seeking $10 million to build an education center.
$28.3 million at Brooks on the Southeast Side
The Brooks Development Authority, which has converted the former Air Force base to housing, restaurants, schools and stores, wants to widen roads, build sidewalks and improve traffic signals and landscaping from South New Braunfels Avenue to South Presa Street.
$25 million for the River Walk
The money would go toward making the tourist attraction more accessible for people using wheelchairs, fixing sidewalks and adding signs.
$25 million for the first phase of a South Side arboretum
Arboretum San Antonio, a nonprofit formed by former Mayor Henry Cisneros, wants to transform the shuttered Republic Golf Club into a garden devoted to showcasing regional trees and other plants, trails and recreational facilities.
$23.4 million for San Antonio Police Department facilities
The agency requested the money to remodel and enlarge locker rooms, fitness space and classrooms and expand parking, offices and training facilities.
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This article originally published at Who wants San Antonio bond money? City, nonprofits, developers seek $5.8B.