Ten years ago, when I started writing about downtown for the San Antonio Express-News, the scope of my coverage was relegated to the core, where the tall buildings were.
The strategy worked in 2009. Back then, no one was talking about the gentrification of the center city neighborhoods. It hadn’t become the issue it is today.
Now it’s clear neighborhoods such as Government Hill and the near West Side, among others, are heading toward a character makeover. So far, I haven’t heard anyone challenge this assumption.
I’ve only heard arguments from neighborhood and cultural preservationists on one side, and from those who back massive development on the other, on whether such large-scale change is good or bad for San Antonio in the near and distant future.
Which is why we need to talk to you.
If you live near downtown, we want to know your story—whether you’re a homeowner or renter, whether you’ve lived in the neighborhood for 30 years or three months. For now, we are most interested in Government Hill; Dignowity Hill; Denver Heights; all of Southtown, including the Lone Star District; all of the near West Side, from Zarzamora Street on in; Five Points; and Tobin Hill. But if you live close to these communities, let’s talk anyway.
Why? We want to better understand what’s happening. Help us grasp, even if just a little better, how your community is changing, and why. Our job is to gather and disseminate your stories in a way that’s fair an accurate so that San Antonians can form their own well-informed opinions about the evolving downtown area, and the policies of our local government.
Email or call me, anytime:
Contact Ben Olivo: 210-421-3932 | ben@saheron.com | @rbolivo on Twitter
Hi, my name is John. I am a general contractor who mostly does flips. I bought a house on South cherry street near the Alamodome because the area has exploded in value. As a kid my friends and I would drive to the area to buy marihuana. Going back 30 years later to buy properties in order to maximize our dollar is incredible. I have sent out flyers and try to buy as many properties as possible because the area is great for flipping.
Hi I lived in San Antonio Texas, and it was a new build just drop dead gorgeous. I lived there for a year. I had to leave under certain circumstances. I’m now looking for another one of their places in Fort Worth Texas. Please someone contact me. I loved my apartment, but I had to go. Even if I never hear from them and their staff again, I want to say thank you kindly for your time and thoughts you put into that what I called it, “my beautiful new mini condo”… y’all did deliver! Periodtt they truly cared about their work and putting a roof over their tenants heads I’m searching for a 1 bdrm apt 🙏