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Council approves reclassification of South Texas Parkway to prioritize South Side connectivity
Summary
San Antonio City Council approved an amendment to the city's major thoroughfare plan to reclassify and rename the South Texas Parkway, a project supporters say will connect I-35 to I-37 and spur economic growth on the South Side.
San Antonio City Council on May 8 approved an ordinance amending the city's major thoroughfare plan to reclassify the South Texas Parkway, a proposed east'west corridor linking I-35 and I-37 on the city's South Side.
The measure, placed on the consent agenda as item 16 and approved as part of the consent vote, drew multiple supporters at the meeting's public comment period, including business groups and education and health partners who said the corridor would improve regional connectivity and support major employment hubs.
Supporters told the council the corridor would link major anchors including Texas A&M San Antonio, Southwest Independent School District, University Health and Port San Antonio and help accommodate projected residential growth in the area. Liana Puente of the South Texas Business Partnership called the reclassification "a vital step forward," saying it would connect "major employment hubs, educational opportunities, health care, and many growing neighborhoods." Brett Finley of the Metro SA Chamber and Stephanie Reyes of the Real Estate Council also urged approval and thanked city staff for their work.
Council members spoke in favor during the council'member remarks. Councilmember Rebecca Villagran noted the project supports regional mobility and an east'west connector that benefits both San Antonio and South Texas. Councilmember Adriana Rocha Garcia said the corridor could be a catalyst for the South Side and described the area's growth from I-35 to I-37.
The ordinance amends the major thoroughfare plan to incorporate the South Texas Parkway designation and authorize further planning coordination with state partners as the project advances. The project was described in public remarks as intended to support long-term economic and residential growth; no construction schedule or funding package was adopted at the May 8 meeting.
City staff and speakers emphasized that the reclassification is a planning step, not a commitment of construction funds. Several business and institutional partners indicated they intend to seek state and local investments as the corridor advances through planning.
The council approved the consent agenda items, including item 16, by unanimous vote on an electronic roll call; the approval of the consent agenda was recorded at the May 8 meeting.
