Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Renewal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDC hears long-term Old Town infrastructure plan; board urged to phase projects and be grant-ready
Summary
Staff framed Old Town redevelopment as an infrastructure-first, long-term effort: water, sewer and drainage upgrades must precede placemaking; the board discussed grants, phased work and coordinating sidewalks, a proposed railroad crossing plaza and facade improvements.
Rick and staff presented the Old Town/Main Street rehabilitation concept, stressing that long-term redevelopment must start with subsurface infrastructure upgrades — notably larger water mains, sewer capacity and storm drainage — before above-ground placemaking such as sidewalks, facades and public gathering spaces.
Presenters noted constraints in Old Town (2-inch water lines that would need 8-inch replacements to support redevelopment, undersized sewer pipes and limited storm drainage) and recommended an incremental, opportunistic approach: prepare shovel-ready projects so the city can apply quickly if state or federal funding surfaces. Rick used San Antonio’s Mission Reach as an example of a long-term, phased outcome produced by repeatedly capitalizing on available funding programs.
Board members discussed related local items and costs: recent EDC expenditures (banner project: $7,000; lighting fixtures: $34,000; pedestrian signals: $14,000) and an EDC contribution of $160,000 toward the Old Town plan. The board also discussed a planned sidewalk project across the railroad that is budgeted at about $1.2 million in the CIP; members suggested coordinating CIP spending, EDC funds and possible council support to create a more comprehensive railroad plaza and pedestrian crossing rather than just a standalone sidewalk.
Why it matters: Without subsurface upgrades, higher-density reuse (for example boutique hotels or multiuse buildings) would be constrained; early coordination and grant readiness will improve chances of securing external funds to accelerate renovations.
What’s next: The topic will be assigned to the Old Town/historic subcommittee for additional study and cost comparisons; staff will return with committee recommendations and refined cost estimates for specific blocks or pilot interventions.
