Neighborhood Revitalization Project
The St. Mary's University Revitalization Project is a collaboration with our neighbors and the University Park Neighborhood Association focusing on commercial transformation, housing rehabilitation, infrastructure and quality of life improvements.Activities Summary
Summary of Efforts and Activities, 2009
- St. Mary’s University has received a $596,794 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program to boost neighborhood revitalization by developing a neighborhood center for the area near the campus.
- St. Mary’s University has received a $596,794 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program to boost neighborhood revitalization by developing a neighborhood center for the area near the campus.
The center will provide a variety of services to the surrounding area, including assistance and counseling for home ownership and repair, economic development and small business assistance, and coordination of community outreach.
The grant also provides for one full-time revitalization coordinator position and one full-time assistant, as well as revitalization planning and implementation funds. The award leverages over $200,000 in loans and services to area businesses and $15,000 in funding from the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association. In addition the grant provides for the hire of a part-time housing counselor/researcher. - St. Mary’s conducted two surveys, one of residents that focused on community identity and another of businesses. Of the 116 surveys mailed to businesses, nine percent were completed and returned. The respondents want to improve safety and decrease crime, bring in anchor stores, and enhance storefront appearances. The residents who responded listed neighborhood identifiers that included St. Mary’s University, Woodlawn Lake, stores, restaurants and churches. Negative identifiers noted were graffiti and empty stores.
- St. Mary’s constructed a new on-campus residence hall that is highly visible from Culebra Road. The new facility, Founders Hall, resembles St. Louis Hall, the University’s landmark building.
- The Rev. Cris Janson, S.M., pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and a member of the Task Force, is leading a volunteer effort to address critical needs of the residents in his parish. The parish boundaries overlap with the revitalization focus areas.
- The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – in conjunction with St. Mary’s University through a class project – conducted surveys of businesses in two areas: Culebra Road between IH10 and Loop 410, and Bandera Road near the University and in the University Park neighborhood area. Another class project that was completed gathered consumer habits and commercial interests of St. Mary’s University faculty, staff and students.
