News - ULI San Antonio
July 2009
ULI San Antonio Awarded $20,000 Community Action Grant
Community Action Grant to explore the most efficient development options for housing, learning, work and play, as the San Antonio area absorbs hundreds of thousands of new residents.

ULI San Antonio awarded $20,000 Community Action Grant

ULI San Antonio was recently awarded a $20,000 Community Action Grant to explore the most efficient development options for housing, learning, work and play, as the San Antonio area absorbs hundreds of thousands of new residents.

“In reviewing proposals, the jury placed special emphasis on new, innovative ideas that would be undertaken as a result of a Community Action Grant,” said Rick Rosan, President of ULI Worldwide. “The jury determined that your proposed project offered an entrepreneurial approach to building community consensus for action and change.”

Along with ULI San Antonio Chairman, Mike Fulton, vice president of development with Embrey Partners, the successful San Antonio grant application was supported by grant champion, David Adelman, ULI San Antonio Vice Chair for Programs, and Vice President of Cross & Company. Also instrumental in the winning grant application were ULI member Partners: Trish Wallace, Manager, Regional Planning Section, Planning & Development Services Department, City of San Antonio, Leila Powell, Transportation Consultant to Bexar County, and Richard Milk, Community Development Coordinator, Planning & Development Services Department , City of San Antonio.

San Antonio is expected to continue its rapid population growth, and the critical questions are:

Will the additional housing go where current infrastructure exists (i.e. Infill Development)? Or will it extend into undeveloped portions of the County (Greenfield)?

The most realistic answer is probably "both"--although recent development patterns indicate the vast majority of new growth will occur on Greenfield sites, increasing the negative impacts of sprawl, rather than in locations already served by public infrastructure such as streets, utilities, and schools.

The ULI Community Action grant will help San Antonio look inward at infill development options and outward at more sustainable suburban Greenfield growth.

To read a Letter of support for the ULI San Antonio Community Action Grant from ULI San Antonio Executive Director, Ann Taylor, click here