DEPARTMENT: Office of Historic Preservation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Shanon Miller, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Preservation Month activities and accomplishments
SUMMARY:
The City celebrated Preservation Month in May with a variety of fun and educational events that showcase the unique spirit and historic character of San Antonio. This briefing highlights the successes of Preservation Month 2017.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Preservation Month is a time for communities across the country to engage in their heritage. Since 2009, the Office of Historic Preservation has expanded its Preservation Month events every year to provide opportunities for the public to not only learn about our history and culture, but also participate in neighborhood revitalization and hands on preservation. This year, OHP staff organized and led eight unique events with an overall attendance of approximately 1,000 people of all ages.
OHP reprised two successful events this year. The Amazing Preservation Race was held on Saturday, May 6 at La Villita. This unique competition evokes a spirit of adventure and challenges teams of four to discover our historic downtown. A version of the Amazing Preservation Race for kids was rescheduled due to rain and will be held at the San Antonio Zoo on Saturday, June 17. It’s free for children to participate and learn about the wonderful historic features at the zoo.
Educational events included an Eastside Sacred Places Tour and Reception on May 10 that showcased several historic churches and congregations in Council District 2. On May 15 a presentation was given on the archaeological discover of the Spanish Colonial Powder House that was recently discovered in an eastside city cemetery by an OHP staff member.
OHP also partnered with two schools, Sarah King Elementary and New Frontiers Charter School, to develop curriculum and two events that showcase the student’s work. The students were asked to share stories and places of special meaning in creative and artistic ways.
A new, major initiative for this year was the Rehabarama event held on May 13. Over 180 volunteers and 17 contractors completed revitalization work on 18 homes located on two block in the Denver Heights neighborhood. This was an exciting undertaking for OHP and an opportunity to showcase community building and preservation in action. To fund and deliver this project, OHP sought support and sponsorship from local firms, and we are thankful for the generous support of our Title Level Sponsor, Guido Building Materials; Roof Level Sponsor, Frost Bank; and the significant contributions made by SAWS, Pape Dawson, KFW Engineers, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, The Pearl, Pumpkin Holdings, HEB, and Whataburger. OHP looks forward to expanding Rehabarama to additional historic neighborhoods in need.
ISSUE:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.