SAN ANTONIO \u2013 A Thursday vote could bring a new Northeast Side park and community center one step closer to reality.<\/p>\n
The San Antonio Housing Trust and City of San Antonio have plans to turn an 8.6-acre vacant lot at the corner of Midcrown Drive and Eisenhauer Road into a combination of affordable housing for seniors, a multi-generational community center and park space. <\/p>\n
The Inner City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) board will vote whether to provide up to $2 million in TIRZ funds for the design of the latter two projects. If approved by the board, the funding would still need approval from the San Antonio City Council.<\/p>\n
The housing trust has already tapped up to $2.9 million from the same pot of money to buy the land and cover community engagement, design and environment review costs.<\/p>\n
Further funding to actually build each of the projects still needs to be determined, though further TIRZ funds, city bonds or federal tax credits could be involved. <\/p>\n
Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2) represents the area, which he says has become \u201cincreasingly industrial,\u201d while lacking green space, recreational opportunities and city facilities. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity to provide green space, I think, is one that is sorely wanted and desired by the community and I\u2019m excited that we\u2019re taking this step forward,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
McKee-Rodriguez sits on the SAHT board and pushed for the property\u2019s purchase. The councilman said he had always wanted a community center and park as part of the development.<\/p>\n
\u201c(I) knew that there would have to be an affordable housing component,\u201d he said, \u201cwhich was very similar to what we\u2019re doing at Copernicus Park with senior center, renovation to the park and the creation of affordable housing for seniors. So I wanted essentially sister projects.\u201d<\/p>\n