 |
| EastPoint logo-courtesy photo |
This past Tuesday I had the privilege of attending the San Antonio Growth for the Eastside (SAGE) quarterly business briefing “Breakfast with the Mayor” event, reporting for the Rivard Report. SAGE announced their Grow Eastside Fund – a 3-to-1 match grant endowed by the National Development Council Grow America fund - in which they will be doing their part in raising $500k with the GAF supplying the additional $1.5 million.
Also, Mayor Julian Castro unveiled the EastPoint neighborhood through the Promise Zone program enacted by the Obama administration in an effort to revitalize 5 communities throughout the U.S. I had the chance to interview Christine Drennon, director of Urban Studies at Trinity University, as she and her team at Trinity are responsible for demographic research and area statistics.
This year I plan to be a more regular contributor for the RR with new segments and ideas in the works. As always, stay tuned and spread the word!
Read an excerpt from my report below:
The $2 Million Promise to East Point Business OwnersA majority of Eastside residents surveyed were discontent with the deteriorating conditions of their parks and playgrounds, homes and office spaces. The community also grapples with about double the unemployment rate – 15 percent – and half the median household annual income – $25,000 – compared with the City of San Antonio, seven percent and $53,000 respectively.The neighborhood program boundaries stretch east from I-37 along the intersection of Loop 410 and I-35 north.Although the Eastside has maintained its cultural status as predominantly African-American, demographic studies identify Mexican-Americans as an emerging ethnic population with 68 percent as of 2010.The City of San Antonio 2014 Fiscal Year Budget will delegate $3.6 million dollars in infrastructure funds for the Eastside, said Mayor Castro. SAHA is working with the University Health System to locate a healthcare center in the EastPoint area.Castro was candid about the unfavorable public image associated with Eastside San Antonio. As the neighborhood “on the other side of the tracks … on the other side of the highway,” he acknowledged that Eastside schools, streets, and parks have a long history of neglect.He called for residents of San Antonio to overcome social barriers that perpetuate superficial discrimination and told the audience that he is determined to turn that image around to develop the Eastside as a viable consideration for future business and community investors.
