DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ver?nica R. Soto, FAICP, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance approving the execution of a Chapter 380 Economic Development Program Grant Agreement between the Houston Street TIRZ Board of Directors, Centro San Antonio, and the City of San Antonio for funding for an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the Downtown Shade Plan in Council District 1.
SUMMARY:
The Downtown Shade Plan aims to reduce temperatures along downtown sidewalks and mitigate the urban heat island effect along various downtown streets within the boundary of the Houston Street TIRZ. The Downtown Shade Plan is broken down into three projects.
The first project will be a Shade and Use Study. This study will help determine where the strong shade opportunities exist and where the new shade is needed most. The study will include computer-based simulations, field measurements, policy review, and design guideline recommendations.
Centro San Antonio, in partnership with American Institute of Architects San Antonio (AIA San Antonio), conducted a design contest to identify projects that could bring innovative shade structures to the downtown area. Two winners were selected, and these projects will be designed, constructed, and installed. The 'Sombra de la Acacia' by Guy Hundere & Sprinkler Co. project will be modular shade structures placed at various downtown locations. These structures can increase in size so they can reach across both sides of a street to cover the sidewalk "canopy" area. The structures will contain solar panels on the "leaves" and will also have changeable color LED lights that will illuminate the entire structure at night.
The 'Growing (SA)hade' by Campbell Landscape Architect will consist of installing native, drought tolerant trees to minimize water needs and maximize shade. The trees will be planted in durable, modular quatrefoil planters reminiscent of the City's b...
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