SAN ANTONIO | Urban Core Development Thread - Page 230

sakyle04 · #**4581** Posted **Apr 4, 2016, 2:53 PM**

All of that said, I'm not poo-pooing putting a baseball stadium downtown.

If we want to be a minor-league baseball town (nothing wrong with that), having a picturesque place for folks to watch a game and have a hot dog and beer that grows downtown nightlife and street activity is a fine idea.

Works in places like Charlotte and Toledo. I'd love to see it work here as well. Find a way to pay for it, stimulate the downtown economy, add some housing on the periphery, and call it the ballpark district.

necropolis · #**4582** Posted **Apr 4, 2016, 11:12 PM**

Wow, it definitely seems like some of the baseball talk got deleted. Maybe because they didn't agree with a certain someone...it's a shame that this tends to happen occasionally on this forum.

In any event, Mayor Taylor is also opposed to developing the baseball stadium at the mentioned Hemisfair site. I feel like this was expected based on all the public input that went into drafting plans for Hemisfair's redevelopment. I know that the Fox Tech field has been mentioned as a possible location but I wonder how this plays into SAISD looking to consolidate their offices in the same area. Even if they are two separate parcels it will be interesting to see what type of parking arrangements can be made...hopefully a new parking garage would be in the works too.

I'll say that I do prefer the Alamodome site due to costs and maybe the area can finally become some sort of entertainment complex. Though I'm not sure how that site fits in terms of the best way to position the ballpark to get views, anticipate wind patterns, etc.

arkitekte · #**4583** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 1:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoiler

That is an excellent ratio.

For proving my point?

sirkingwilliam · #**4584** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 2:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by necropolis

Wow, it definitely seems like some of the baseball talk got deleted. Maybe because they didn't agree with a certain someone...it's a shame that this tends to happen occasionally on this forum.

One post has been deleted in this thread. That occurred on April 2nd and had nothing to do with disagreeing with anyone.

That's all I'll say about the issue.

Spoiler · #**4585** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 4:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkitekte

For disproving my point?

Yes

Restless 1 · #**4586** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 5:05 PM**

This is a start, at least. And good riddance, (hopefully) to the old jail.

http://woai.iheart.com/articles/loca...ered-14567225/

One of the tracks includes one of the biggest eyesores in the entire downtown area--the eight story former Bexar County Jail, which for the past fifteen years has been a privately operated jail for parole violators. It is set to close next year.

jaga185 · #**4587** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 5:27 PM**

That building has been the eyesore I've always felt needed to go. The fact it fronts San Pedro Creek will definitely work towards its advantage as well.

This whole area is prime for an awesome neighborhood. They need a mini master plan, tbh. That way it wont just be thrown together.

Fireoutofclay · #**4588** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless 1

This is a start, at least. And good riddance, (hopefully) to the old jail.

Stop it. And it's not an eyesore, it just needs some love. Lots and lots and lots of love.

sakyle04 · #**4589** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireoutofclay

Stop it. And it's not an eyesore, it just needs some love. Lots and lots and lots of love.

Jailhouse micro-lofts? Just drywall the cells!

How many "residents" can they currently hold?

They already have a basketball court on the roof. Add some astroturf for a "dog run" and a hot tub and you have a downtown hipster magnet!! Win win!!

(Mostly joking...or am I?)

Fireoutofclay · #**4590** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakyle04

Jailhouse micro-lofts? Just drywall the cells!

How many "residents" can they currently hold?

They already have a basketball court on the roof. Add some astroturf for a "dog run" and a hot tub and you have a downtown hipster magnet!! Win win!!

(Mostly joking...or am I?)

I like the way you think! I imagine a jailhouse themed hotel, where the guests have to pay to leave.

Or "resurrect" the Red Light District, with netherworld-class burlesque and hourly gunfights.

Free STD testing for all military! Cuz "you gotta know when to hold them, know when to fold them..." I love our history!

Restless 1 · #**4591** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 7:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireoutofclay

I like the way you think! I imagine a jailhouse themed hotel, where the guests have to pay to leave.

Or "resurrect" the Red Light District, with netherworld-class burlesque and hourly gunfights.

Free STD testing for all military! Cuz "you gotta know when to hold them, know when to fold them..." I love our history!

It's happened before:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holida...Riverwalk_Area

Though, that is a much better looking building.

Fireoutofclay · #**4592** Posted **Apr 5, 2016, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless 1

It's happened before:

That misleadingly named hotel does not count! If they didn't question the choice in window decor, the guests would barely be aware that it used to be a jail. No, I'm talking 21 & over!

(Fat chance, but whatever I can dream dammit)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless 1

Though, that is a much better looking building.

Alfred Giles and the Ayres guys, of course it is...

and I just bought a really awesome book on Giles at the book festival this weekend, and boy they sure don't make em like they used to.
Would be great if we can pick a lot somewhere downtown as a venue for resurrecting facades of lost gems, like the previous Federal courthouse in Alamo Plaza.

I see potential in that jail, and I'm sure others do as well. And I'm not talking polished turd potential, I'm talking Miss Congeniality! Smoking hot makeover but old school personality permeates.

Trillhippy210 · #**4593** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 9:09 PM**

Looks like the city is pretty serious about bringing a team here. Now as to whether it actually happens, who knows.

http://www.kens5.com/sports/group-wo...o-sa/121705531

whatdoyouwantandwhy · #**4594** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 11:28 PM**

Speaking on the SPC area. I always thought it would be amazing to see the pedestrian caminos on market square be extended east towards the San Pedro Creek. With a tree canopy covering cafes, restaurants, shops on the street level.

The Model · #**4595** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 4:44 AM**

Since were talking about the Jail, I broke out this picture.

Trillhippy210 · #**4596** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 3:28 PM**

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...19-7234118.php

kornbread · #**4597** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 5:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillhippy210

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...19-7234118.php

Maybe...

Depends on whether the stadium is approved by voters. I really hope they don't pay for it with hotel taxes at a time when competition for conventions is growing. They should ask folks to show they really want it by paying for it.

75 million seems like a waste for this, and the idea that it would be built to be expandable to an accepted MLB stadium is probably not gong to happen. By the time it is built, the team moves and can establish itself is like 15 years away at best. Wouldn't it make better sense to just look for MLB (if the city thinks it can support the team)?

It would have made better sense to pursue an MLS stadium. The Toyota field is not an attractive location to MLS and will probably sway them away from choosing San Antonio as a city to expand to. It doesn't matter that it was built. It was privately funded and is in a terrible location.

Anyway, here we go again. The best case scenario is that SA will get AAA baseball downtown, and if everyone is happy with that then so be it.

Keep-SA-Lame · #**4598** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kornbread

Maybe...

It would have made better sense to pursue an MLS stadium. The Toyota field is not an attractive location to MLS and will probably sway them away from choosing San Antonio as a city to expand to. It doesn't matter that it was built. It was privately funded and is in a terrible location.

Is there a reason MLS can't play at the Alamodome? They've hosted big soccer games before (Mexico City vs South Korea was last year at the dome, right?)

Restless 1 · #**4599** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 5:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keep-SA-Lame

Is there a reason MLS can't play at the Alamodome? They've hosted big soccer games before (Mexico City vs South Korea was last year at the dome, right?)

Depends on the cost of games in the Alamodome. Average attendance at MLS games is about 21,000, with Seattle topping out at a little over 44,000, followed by a precipitous drop to second place at about 32,000. Not sure where San Antonio would fit, but 65,000, (or even 40,000), sounds optimistic.

http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/mls-attendance-2015/

ETA: That being said, attendance for MLS matches is treding upward overall. Just don't think it would make sense to play at the Alamodome right now. If MLS takes it into accont for future consideration, then great.

The Model · #**4600** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 8:12 PM**

I really like Alamo Stadium as a location for MLS. I believe that the Spurs had this vision a few years ago, and something with the school district and the track field around the football field was an issue or something.