SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Even though Castroville Road feels busy, people living in Westwood Square say many buildings in one corridor sit empty. <\/p>\n
Neighbors say 15 buildings between SW 19th Street and South Acme Road sit vacant or abandoned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re afraid that it\u2019s a health and safety concern\u201a\u201d Agapita Jaramillo said. \u201cThey\u2019re being used as homeless encampments, and they\u2019re in jeopardy of being vandalized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Viewers shared their concerns about the vacant buildings on Castroville Road during KSAT\u2019s town hall last week, but Jesusita Rios said the issue dates back more than 25 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a study, and look at that, from 2001,\u201d she said, holding a copy of a Castroville Road corridor special study produced by the city of San Antonio Planning Department and the Edgewood Community Development Corporation. \u201cAs the years have gone by, it\u2019s deteriorated.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Antonio\u2019s Communications & Engagement team told KSAT that \u201caddressing vacant and nuisance properties is a priority of City Council,\u201d but officials report more than 11,000 vacant homes or commercial properties across the city.<\/p>\n
Councilmember Teri Castillo, District 5, said that the numerous vacant buildings have led to repeated nuisances across her district.<\/p>\n