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HemisFair Pak Area Redevelopment Corporation
Board Of Directors Monthly Meeting
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
Conference Room 1
January 15, 2010
8:00 a.m.
Board Attendance: Andres Andujar, Xavier Gonzalez, Debra Guerrero, Daniel Lopez, Sue
Ann Pemberton, Lisa Schmidt, Bill Shown, Madison Smith, and David Zachry.
COSA Attendance: Pat DiGiovanni, Lori Houston, Paula Stallcup, Shanon Wasielewski,
Steve Whitworth, and Mike Sawaya.
Additional Attendance: Lourdes Castro Ramirez (SAHA), Brad McMurray (SAHA), Jason
Rodriguez (VIA), Javier Arguello (Jacobs), Lance Aaron (HHCTx), and Sonia Jimenez
(Ximenes & Associates.)
A.
Call to Order
Madison Smith, HPARC President, called the meeting to order at approximately 8:10
a.m.
B.
Approval of December 11, 2009 Meeting Notes
Mr. Smith asked if everyone had a chance to read the notes. Sue Ann Pemberton
submitted her minor edits to Sonia Jimenez. Mr. Smith clarified that there were no
substantive issues. Bill Shown made a motion to approve the notes and David Zachry
seconded it. The motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.
C.
Citizens to be Heard
No citizens signed up to be heard.
D.
Briefing and Discussion on Strategic Planning Session
Mr. Smith stated that the January date has been changed to February 18th from 4-9 p.m.
The work session is the best opportunity to come together through a directed exercise
facilitated by Mary Flanagan. Everyone’s thoughts concerns, and ideas will be the
beginning of the board’s work toward the master planning process. Up to this point,
everything has been mostly background and getting educated. He requested that all
board members come prepared with thoughts on opportunities, constraints, and hopes
for the short and long term.
E.
Presentation and Briefing on San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA)
Developments – Lourdes Castro Ramirez, CEO and Bradford McMurray, Director
of Real Estate and Development Services
Lourdes Castro Ramirez introduced herself as the CEO of the San Antonio Housing
Authority (SAHA.) She presented a PowerPoint explaining SAHA’s mission and
purpose. Mrs. Ramirez was hired about a year ago and has been working with the
SAHA Board of Commissioners focusing on key priorities. These priorities include
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improving the quality of life for their residents, preserving and expanding affordable
housing, strengthening basic services and systems, and partnering with developers.
SAHA’s main planning objective is to create new communities with mixed-income
properties. SAHA is engaged in collaborative planning with the COSA, VIA, and the
school districts for their development efforts. Federal level funding is being received
from HUD, Department of Education, and the Department of Transportation. Funding
from these various sources allows for a more comprehensive approach to planning.
SAHA needs to create housing units for clients earning less than 30% of median
income. They have a $68M budget with 6,300 non-profit and affordable housing units
and 6,300 subsidized through the Section 8 voucher program. The mayor appoints the
SAHA Board of Commissioners. Ramiro Cavazos is the current chairman and Brian
Hermann is their vice-chairman. Mrs. Ramirez then turned the presentation over to
Brad McMurray, SAHA’s Director of Real Estate and Development Services.
Mr. McMurray continued the presentation. He gave the board information related to the
history of the former Victoria Courts, which are now the Victoria Commons and
Artisan’s Village. The newest development, HemisView, is expected to be complete in
June of this year. SAHA has received federal Hope VI grants and are looking into Build
America bonds. SAHA also received federal funds to do improvements to Labor and
Leigh Streets. HemisView is designed in a Texas Wrap design with residential units on
the perimeter of the development and the parking garage in the middle. The
development will have 1.5 parking spaces per unit. The design allows for more density
on the downtown side of the property with a four-story complex and becomes less dense
towards the residential side of the property with single-family dwellings on the Leigh
Street side. This decision was based on community input and it allows for the property
to blend in nicely with the existing neighborhood. Mr. McMurray also distributed maps
showing other SAHA properties and future developments in the downtown area. He
concluded his presentation and asked for questions.
The complete build-out of the redeveloped Victoria Courts will have 600 units serving
approximately 2,000-2,500 consumers. Victoria Courts had 660 units and those
residents were provided Section 8 vouchers when Victoria Courts was demolished. The
former residents are given priority (no waiting list) to move back and many have moved
back into Refugio Place. However, many former residents are now Section 8 clients
instead of non-profit public housing clients. Section 8 residents are much harder to
track and this creates problems with delivery of services. SAHA is in the process of
exploring ways to reach Section 8 residents through education initiatives and
collaborating with other service providers.
The overall percentage of the mix between affordable and market rate housing is about
25% market with the addition of HemisView, 20% public housing, and 55% affordable
housing. Affordable housing is considered 80% of median but 60% for tax purposes.
SAHA does track income levels to include their market rate products. Currently, many
students who live at Refugio Place are students earning 120% of median income and
HemisView may change this figure. HemisView is an opportunity to have an “A+”
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property in a great location that can attract residents earning above the 120% mark.
SAHA’s design review process includes a public review component and they are in the
process of expanding the review process. The process used for the HemisView project
included participation from the LaVaca neighborhood. Many of the HemisView design
changes are a result of community input. The design review process also included State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review and approval because of HemisView’s
proximity to the LaVaca neighborhood. SAHA also worked with the San Antonio
Conservation Society to get input on their desire for the Administration Building
redevelopment located in the same area. SAHA would like a process that allows for
more upfront planning. However, upfront planning requires an upfront investment that
may not be available. Funding grants and other revenue sources are very competitive
and SAHA is trying to collaborate to pool these available resources.
Mr. Smith thanked Mrs. Ramirez and Mr. McMurray for the presentation and
information. He requested that SAHA keep the board apprised of any new
developments with their projects and appreciated this opportunity to learn more about
the agency.
F.
Presentation and Briefing on VIA Metropolitan Transit Streetcar Study – Jason
Rodriguez, VIA Planning Department and Javier Arguello, Jacobs Transportation
Planning
Jason Rodriguez with VIA introduced himself and began his presentation by stating that
the Streetcar Study is still in the process phase and the study is not yet finalized. VIA
began the streetcar feasibility and long-range study in May 2009. Phase 1 was
completed in February and the long-range portion should be completed this summer.
VIA is currently in the process of wrapping up the needs assessment and identifying
corridors and a multi-modal approach to planning is being utilized. Monorail and heavy
rail have been eliminated as transit options. The streetcar system will utilize a fixed
guide way system with overhead electrical connections. The Downtown Alliance
brought the streetcar concept to VIA and are partners with them on this project. Mr.
Rodriguez turned the presentation over to Javier Arguello with Jacobs Transportation
Planning consulting firm.
Mr. Arguello explained that the process includes a technical advisory committee (TAC)
made up of various agency representatives. The TAC has developed a draft report with
preliminary findings and alignments. The report has been presented to the inner city rail
commission for consideration. The report includes a Peer City Study Summary. This
study indicates that shorter starter alignments allow for quick implementation and that
ridership forecasts generally are lower than actual ridership once the system is
operational. All major cities along IH-35 are getting streetcar systems – Waco, Austin,
Dallas, and Oklahoma City. VIA is also utilizing the concept of transit-oriented
development to help spur economic development and the desired density for the
downtown area. Mr. Arguello stressed the importance of land use and coordination with
all the stakeholders for a successful program. The evaluation criteria for the starter line
includes equity, cost effectiveness, and the best opportunities for private and public
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investment. The starter alignment being proposed is the NS1A alignment presented in
the handouts. The presentation was concluded and the discussion was opened up to
questions.
The proposed starter system will run north and south on Alamo Street just west of
HemisFair. There are two alternatives that run east and west, which may be
implemented at a later time. These alternatives would run down Nueva Street, through
HemisFair, to the Robert Thompson Transit Station. The long-term plan includes
closing this loop. The east-west proposed alignments would generally run from Our
Lady of the Lake on the west to the AT&T Center on the east. The starter east-west line
will only go to the Westside multi-modal station located on the near Westside. The best
case scenario for having the first line fully operational is by the year 2014. This
scenario presumes a $25M federal funding grant is awarded. The total cost for the
starter system is $80M.
In terms of other cities funding rail project from increased tax revenues collected as a
result of economic development, it seems every city with a successful system has had a
different experience. Portland’s system was implemented with public sector money and
its expansion and success is based on mostly private investment. Seattle’s system relied
much more heavily on private sector funds. Public sector financing generally is
available in the form of public improvement districts (PIDs) – private sector developers
and property owners petition to tax themselves to form a PID. All projects evaluated in
the peer city study have a mix of funding revenues. Portland added a 25¢ fee to parking
fees and had a total of 22 funding sources. The planners are looking at a shorter version
of the originally proposed east-west starter alignment of 7.2 miles with a cost of $390M.
There is no firm date for the east-west alignment but the goal would be to begin the
process as soon as the starter line (north-south) is implemented.
Mr. Smith thanked the gentlemen for their time and information. He looks forward to
working with VIA as the plan comes to fruition.
G.
Briefing and possible action regarding the relocation of the San Antonio Park
Police from the Richter House to the Espinoza House - Paula X. Stallcup,
Downtown Operations Director.
Paula Stallcup informed the board that the San Antonio Park Police are interested in
relocating from their current offices located in HemisFair at the Richter House to the
Espinoza House at HemisFair. The Espinoza House is located next door to the San
Antonio Parks Foundation. If this committee approves of the relocation, then aesthetic
improvements (paint and flooring) to the Espinoza House will begin as early as next
week. The Park Police are agreeable to a month-to-month lease arrangement with the
knowledge that they have to relocate again at some point.
The board was reminded that the finance committee is currently looking at all the leases
and a presentation to the full board is expected in a couple of months. With the
exception of the Amaya Deli, all other current tenants in the park are non-profits.
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Debra Guerrero made a motion to approve the Park Police relocation and Andres
Andujar seconded it. The motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.
Daniel Lopez stressed the importance of the process of vetting leases through the
finance committee. Even though this particular lease was not put through the process,
the process will be instituted within the next couple of months and board members are
encouraged to attend every meeting to ensure their participation in it.
Michael Sawaya inquired about the UNAM lease. The board approval was postponed
from last month. The finance committee will review the lease terms this week and the
board may take action prior to the February planning session. The item was referred
back to the finance committee for further review since UNAM is not a City department.
Mr. Smith stated that real estate issues might be discussed in executive session, as
opposed to in an open meeting, in the future depending on the complexity and the nature
of the issue.
H.
Director's Report – Pat DiGiovanni, Deputy City Manager
Pat DiGiovanni reported that the City is inching closer to a final agreement with the
federal GSA for the land swap. Both parties are working through the environmental
language and doing their due diligence. The next board meeting may include an
executive session to discuss a potential scenario regarding activity outside of the park
that could benefit the park as well as the surrounding area. This week the city council
will consider bridging documents for the SAPD headquarters and the process for
beginning construction at the former Kmart property.
Mr. DiGiovanni also informed the board that at the January 21st city council session, the
resolution to support the center city partnership will be considered. The Centro
partnership information was presented to this board at a previous meeting.
I.
Other Items
Sue Ann Pemberton added that her students’ work on the conditions assessment is
mostly complete. She is working with Mrs. Stallcup to determine what City staff can do
to remediate some of the issues. Ms. Pemberton will present her findings to the board
once the final report is complete sometime this spring.
J.
Adjournment
Mr. Smith asked if there was any other business and there was no reply. He adjourned
the meeting at approximately 12:10 p.m.