About the Port San Antonio Area Regional Center
Port San Antonio Area Regional Center
Explore the tabs below to learn more about the assets, challenges and opportunities in the Port San Antonio Area Regional Center Area and to view our study area map.
Assets
The Port San Antonio Area possesses several geographical assets such as the 9/11 memorial, the new Tribute to Freedom monument just off Hwy 90, many religious institutions within this Regional Center, the ball fields at Kennedy Park, trailways along Leon Creek, and Port San Antonio as it redevelops. Other assets that are unique to this region that helps distinguish it from other areas of the City include the rich military history specifically to the former Kelly Air Force Base that is now Port San Antonio and how development occurred as a result of Lackland AFB and the former Kelly Air Force Base. Air force missions and businesses that located at Port San Antonio as it is continues to redevelop, including the San Antonio Museum of Science & Technology (SAMSAT). With the number of graduations occurring at Lackland Air Force Base, it is an asset that is immediately adjacent to the Regional Center and is an economic driver for the area due to visitors coming into the region for graduations that occur weekly and year-round.
Challenges
With the exception of redevelopment occurring at Port San Antonio, the southwest side of San Antonio, including the Port San Antonio Area Regional Center, has experienced less investment than other parts of the City. Due to many of the existing single-family residential neighborhoods having been constructed several decades ago, the associated public infrastructure improvements that were constructed at the time that the homes were built are older and in need of repair. For example, walking along General McMullen Drive is not comfortable because existing sidewalk conditions have gaps, or where there is a sidewalk it is cracked with overgrown vegetation in some areas. Education and academic performance was identified as a challenge due to current ratings, however it also is identified as an opportunity with SAMSAT at Port San Antonio and STEM education that Edgewood ISD has been promoting, particularly with the collaboration between SAMSAT and Edgewood ISD. Lastly, major roadways within this Regional Center were identified as challenges because they potentially create pedestrian barriers. Attainable jobs and housing were identified as challenges as they relate to one another because of lack of job opportunities available within the plan area for the local residents and lack of housing options for employees in the area. Another challenge relates to lack of activity in the Regional Center with no after-hour crowds.
Opportunities
While the Port San Antonio Area has historically seen less development than other parts of the city, this has left room for new growth on undeveloped land and around existing developed neighborhoods and commercial centers. A balance will need to be made between protecting the character of the existing neighborhoods and community while allowing for the area to revitalize and become more active with new development concentrated into key areas.
With Port San Antonio being a part of this Regional Center, it’s continued redevelopment to become an innovation campus that will include leading global industries such as aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and education this Regional Center is prime for more opportunities and partnerships that will help this area thrive. Lackland Air Force Base is surrounded by this Regional Center and remains an air force base that attracts many visitors to this area. There is the opportunity to increase pedestrian-oriented environments that will make this Regional Center attractive to residents, businesses, and investors. Increasing mixed-use development in the Regional Center, including vertical and/or horizontal mixed use, in certain areas will help create destinations that people will enjoy.
Sub-Area Plans
Sub-Area Plans are intended to provide a more coordinated, efficient and effective structure for neighborhood planning. Existing and future neighborhood planning will be integrated into the planning for regional centers and community planning areas. Neighborhoods will become integral sub-geographies of these sub-areas while also receiving special attention through chapters and/or sections in each Sub-Area plan, reflecting specific opportunities, challenges, recommendations and priorities from each participating neighborhood. Neighborhood and community plans should be respected, as appropriate, as they are integrated into the sub-area plans.
Comprehensive Plan Regional Centers
Regional centers are one of the major building blocks of San Antonio’s city form and are a major component of the Comprehensive Plan and the overall SA Tomorrow effort.
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While most cities have one or two larger employment centers, we have 13. This provides challenges and opportunities. A major organizing element for the Comprehensive Plan is to focus growth in these regional centers, building on the existing pattern of development. They’re envisioned as new “places” where we live, work, and play.
New development is already gravitating to these centers and we can guide additional growth in these areas. Each center is different and its development will be influenced by its existing uses. However, many of the centers are also well-positioned to develop as vibrant mixed-use places. They offer a variety of housing options and price ranges, allow higher-density and incorporate carefully designed and located amenities that will benefit both residents and employees of the center. Each center’s character can attract a different mix of businesses and employees. Therefore, San Antonio must focus its investment and infrastructure strategies on supporting and leveraging the unique identity and assets of each center.