DEPARTMENT: Development Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Roderick J. Sanchez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 10
SUBJECT:
Memorial Street Name Designation of N. New Braunfels to "Bob Dickson Way"
SUMMARY:
The Development Services Department (DSD) received a Council Consideration Request on March 30, 2015 requesting a memorial street name designation for N. New Braunfels Avenue, between N.E. Loop 410 and Ceegee Lane. The request was initiated by Councilman Ron Nirenberg and Councilman Mike Gallagher. A public meeting will be held to inform the community of the request. There are twelve (12) properties that abut this segment of roadway; however, no addresses will change as this is a memorial designation only. The next steps following the Governance Committee briefing will include, public meeting, staff technical review, Planning Commission public hearing/consideration, and then final decision by City Council.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A Council Consideration Request was initiated by Councilman Ron Nirenberg and Councilman Mike Gallagher in memory of Robert "Bob" Dickson. Robert "Bob" Dickson was born in San Antonio on September 27, 1938. A Jefferson High School graduate, he founded Olympic Gym in 1977, eventually opening two locations: one on the north side and the other on the south side. Bob earned the distinction of being the first business owner to be offered a World Gym franchise by founder Joe Gold, an international legend and pioneer of strength sports. Bob declined, in favor of building his Olympic Gym into the South Texas destination gym for serious athletes. By 1986, it was moved to its single current location south of the San Antonio International Airport at 8611 N. New Braunfels, and it was listed as one of the top ten bodybuilding gyms in the United States. Through its history, Olympic Gym became known affectionately as one of the most "hardcore" gyms in the United States and the best-equipped gym in Texas, featuring a clientele of top professional athletes locally and nationally in multiple sports, including Mr. Olympia champions Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Ronald Coleman, Olympian Josh Davis, Spurs legend David Robinson, World's Strongest Woman Jill Mills, international power lifting star Gene Bell, and many others.
As a youth, Bob Dickson was a successful boxer at amateur and pro levels through the 1960's. He served proudly in the Coast Guard Reserves and then returned to San Antonio to work with the City of San Antonio Recreation Department, teaching fitness classes and boxing to underprivileged kids, amateurs, and professionals. As a gym owner and operator, Bob became known for his wry sense of humor and the care for which he showed all of the people who entered Olympic Gym, whether they were international celebrities or neighborhood kids. With his wife of 40 years Mary, Bob tended the counter nearly every day, up until his battle with cancer ended on October 19, 2012. During his funeral service, friends, family, and clients from around the country attended and recalled their beloved "founder, mentor, inspiration, and friend." Among those paying tribute was J. D. Wennermark, current Olympic Gym owner.
New Braunfels Avenue, one of San Antonio's longest contiguous city streets, extends from north of Loop 410 to south of Southeast Military Drive. On the north end, approximately two city blocks - the portion subject of this request - are disconnected from the rest of New Braunfels Avenue, divided by North Loop 410 from the highway to Ceegee Lane. An honorary street name designation does not require formal postal address changes, rather, provides an additional address and commemoration option. This memorandum makes a request for that alternative and directs City Staff to produce the appropriate commemorative signage.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated costs for the project that need to be paid prior to City Council consideration include an application fee of $1,000.00, a notification fee of $54.00 and a COSA signed replacement fee of $835.16 totaling $1,889.16.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Governance Committee's endorsement of this proposed memorial street name designation and to proceed with the established processes to have final consideration by City Council.