DEPARTMENT: Department of Planning and Community Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Dugan
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Briefing on REnewSA Activities
SUMMARY:
A briefing on REnewSA including a report on the activities in the five (5) target areas approved for FY 2014 and FY 2015, Collins Gardens, Edgewood, Harlandale, University Park West/ Blueridge, and Wheatley, and an update on planning and implementation activities in the seven (7) target areas approved for FY 2016 and FY 2017, Avenida Guadalupe, Edgewood, Five Points, Harlandale, Las Palmas, South San/ Kindred, and Wheatley
BACKGROUND:
REnewSA is a place-based approach to community development aimed at restoring value and vitality to neighborhoods and commercial corridors. It is a collaborative initiative that coordinates and targets community development resources to spur private investment in distressed neighborhoods. REnewSA partners include multiple City departments and outside partner agencies including the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) and the VIA Metropolitan Transit (VIA). Through REnewSA, community development programs are targeted to smaller geographies within the City that exhibit a balance of need and market potential. Federal and local resources are committed to these target areas for a sustained period to increase the likelihood of tipping these areas from marginal to marketable. The REnewSA approach was developed in part based on recommendations made through a technical assistance grant from HUD.
The initial five REnewSA target areas, Collins Gardens, Edgewood, Harlandale, University Park West/ Blueridge, and Wheatley, were approved by City Council on August 1, 2013 for a period of 2 years as part of the City’s HUD Annual Action Plan. City Council adopted Revitalization Plans for the REnewSA Target Areas of Collins Gardens, Edgewood, Harlandale, University Park West/ Blueridge target areas on June 26, 2014. A summary of the activities completed within the FY2014 and FY 2015 REnewSA target areas will be presented.
Seven RenewSA target areas, Avenida Guadalupe, Edgewood, Five Points, Harlandale, Las Palmas, South San/ Kindred, and Wheatley were approved by City Council on August 6, 2015 for a period of 2 years. An update on the planning and implementation activities currently underway within the FY 2016 and FY 2017 REnewSA target areas will also be presented.
ISSUE:
Activities completed by the REnewSA programs center on the following three goals: REinvest in neighborhoods, REhabilitate homes, and REvitalize commercial corridors. Below is a summary of the accomplishments for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Additional details including a breakdown of projects by target area is included in the attached FY 2014/ 2015 Closeout Report.
REinvest in Neighborhoods
• 18,000 linear feet of sidewalks constructed
• 1,700 linear feet of street reclamation and/or reconstruction projects
• 9,098 code enforcement cases resolved
• 544 graduates of city-provided homebuyer counseling
• 73 homes purchased by low-to-moderate income households
• 11 vacant lots acquired
• $10 million in gap financing committed
REhabilitate Homes
• 13 homes undergoing owner-occupied rehabilitation
• 33 homes receiving minor home repairs
• 144 lead paint abatements
• 80 home exteriors painted
REvitalize Commercial Corridors
• 17 commercial properties approved for façade improvement funding
• 4 storefront branding workshops conducted
Below is a summary of the planning and implementation activities currently underway for FY 2016 and FY 2017. The initial 2 quarters are focused heavily on planning and assessment.
Planning and Assessment
• Held strategy meetings with 20 stakeholder groups
• Conducted in-person resident interviews at VIA transit centers
• Conducted on-line resident survey
• Co-applied with SAHA for Westside Choice Planning and Implementation Grant
• Conducted assessment of infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, and bus stops
REinvest in Neighborhoods
• 1,655 code enforcement cases resolved
• 73 graduates of city-provided homebuyer counseling
• 36 homes purchased by low-to-moderate income households
REhabilitate Homes
• 23 homes approved for owner-occupied rehabilitation
• 25 homes approved for minor home repairs
REvitalize Commercial Corridors
• 12 commercial properties approved for façade improvement funding
• 3 storefront branding workshops conducted
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