DRAFT 1

Alamo Region Livability SummitLocal Plans: The Decade of DowntownBen BrewerWednesday, August 21, 2013

San Anto Cultural Arts “La Paleta”

DRAFT 2

• Urban Sprawl• Our City’s commitment to the

Urban Core• Strategic Framework Plan for

the Center City• Centro Partnership’s Work

DRAFT 3

The Cost of Urban Sprawl

Kneebone, E. (2013). Job Sprawl Stalls: The Great Recession and Metropolitan Employment Location. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, 1, 1-23.

• Job Sprawl- A Symptom of urban sprawl and car-dependent communities

• Rapid Decentralization- between 2000 and 2010:

2000 2010 % ChangeJob Growth in SA 623,492 702,726 12.70%Jobs within 3 miles of CBD 119,710 96,976 -19%Jobs beyond 10 miles 151,508 236,818 56%

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Why does it matter?

• This is not sustainable.• In regards to livability, the

decentralized location of employment and people is linked to higher costs to cities in the areas of:– Transportation– Infrastructure– Energy Consumption

Kneebone, E. (2009). Job Sprawl Revisted: The Changing Geography of Metropolitan Employment. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, 1, 1-23.

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Implications for Planning in Downtown San Antonio

• Comprehensive development plans that link jobs, housing, and transportation to encourage denser forms of development are critical to creating accessibility and connection and allowing for more sustainable and inclusive growth.

Kneebone, E. (2013). Job Sprawl Stalls: The Great Recession and Metropolitan Employment Location. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, 1, 1-23.

DRAFT 7

Commitment to the Urban CoreMayor Julian Castro declared the Decade of Downtown, launching SA2020 process in 2010.

Vision: In 2020, Downtown is the heart of San Antonio and is everyone’s neighborhood.

Downtown Development Key Indicators: 1)Housing Units Downtown 2)Downtown Employment

Centro Partnership San Antonio was created in 2011 to champion the SA2020 vision for Downtown.

DRAFT 8

Centro Partnership’s First Major Effort

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The plan establishes goals, targets, and strategies to achieve the SA2020 vision and asserts that “Center City should be characterized by

attractive housing alternatives, welcoming parks, walkable streets, mass transit,

enticing retail, enhanced cultural institutions, and accessible parking.”

Strategic Framework Plan

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Key Recommendations: Invest in Housing

DRAFT 11

Key Recommendations Continued:Create a welcoming and comfortable public realm that includes:

– Sidewalks that are safe, clean, and well designed– Complete streets that accommodate pedestrians,

vehicles, transit, and bicycles– Clear street hierarchy that is attractive and

accessible for vehicles, pedestrians, and supports development

– Open spaces that are activated and programmed– High standard of maintenance

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Action Plan:Prioritize near-term capital investment needs to catalyze growth in primary growth areas.

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Centro Partnership’s efforts:The Northwest Quadrant and the Medical District

DRAFT 14

Thank you.San Antonio Adaptive Trikes