The acceptance of this property will provide additional opportunity for revitalization of the near Eastside area and complement the planned rehabilitation and conversion of the Hays Street Bridge. Once developed this land could become community public space. It has been envisioned by the community as a weekend farmer’s market, but could be used for other recreation uses as well. This parcel of land combined with the Hays Street Bridge, has the potential to spur economic development within the area by demonstrating the potential to revitalize a neglected urban area and create a direct link to the restored Hays Street Bridge.
The idea for this project originated from a diverse group of community advocates for the Hays Street Bridge. The Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group, as they are called, meets monthly to discuss items related to adapting the 125-year old landmark as a hike/bike destination. Among the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group members are cycling enthusiasts, neighborhood residents, artists, local business owners, and historic preservation advocates. They have met every 4th Tuesday of each month since the summer of 2004 to share ideas about their collective vision for revitalizing the area, using the Hays Street Bridge as the centerpiece. Since the inception of the idea, the Restoration Group has successfully convinced BudCo. Ltd, the current owner of the property, to donate this property as a gift to the City.
The property is a tract of land containing 73,660.0 square feet (1.691 ac.) being arbitrary Tract B, Block 30, N.C.B. 527, City of San Antonio, Texas (Parcel 17433) and is valued at $256,180.
The Hays Street Bridge Rehabilitation project will benefit the immediate Eastside neighborhood, the greater Eastside community, and the City of San Antonio. The rehabilitated bridge and bicycle pedestrian route will improve social aspects of the Eastside by reestablishing the pedestrian-bicycle linkage to downtown.