SMCP - Existing Conditions

In my comment above, the problem turning from Hutchison onto Guadalupe applies to traffic turning both left and right (which is the bigger problem since Hutchison is only one lane eastbound), rather than only left as I incompletely stated above.

The "theme started on CM Allen" may be aesthetically and ideologically pleasing but certain aspects of it, such as the lack of visibility caused by the landscaping and the curve of the road are unsafe. Exiting the parking lot next to the Chamber of Commerce Building onto CM Allen, particularly if you are turning left (which is necessary to get on Hutchison) is dangerous because of the very limited visibility (due to the combination of the curve and the landscaping in the median) of traffic coming south on CM Allen. Visibility of traffic coming from the right on CM Allen, which should be easy, is not for the same reasons. Turning left on CM Allen from eastbound Hopkins is also unnecessarily difficult. The tightness of the turning angle forces you to travel in the parking lane for a distance before you can get in the traffic lane. I may be a dinosaur but I prioritize traffic safety and in that respect the changes to CM Allen are very negative.

The "New Urbanism" changes to the block of Guadalupe between Hutchison and Hopkins are problematic in a different way. When traffic is heavy, the block fills up completely and traffic turning left (on a green light) from Hutchison onto Guadalupe is blocked because the lanes are full. This was never a problem when there were three traffic lanes. This problem has been masked while Texas State is almost entirely holding virtual classes, but whenever the campus returns to normal operations the bottleneck at peak hours will return. Again, I prioritize traffic flow over the ideology behind the changes on this street and from that perspective, the changes are a negative.

What is being proposed above on Hopkins will undoubtedly cause its own safety and traffic flow problems. We need an ideological diet, not more road diets.

And then there are the changes that have occurred to the intersection of Hopkins and Wonderworld. A vehicle of any size cannot turn right from northbound Wonderworld onto Hopkins without going into the left turn lane on westbound Hopkins. A truck attempting this turn, which should be routine, will wipe out anything in that left turn lane. Another win for New Urbanism and another loss for drivers.

Please, please when messing with our streets consider traffic and drivers first and ideology second.

The Faust is actually downtown and in an area with many uses. The Lamar school site is not downtown and in a neighborhood that is entirely residential. A hotel is a bad idea here and even the current owners of the site and would-be developers abandoned this idea.

In a perfect world the old Lamar School site should be purchased by the city and used for a park. There is no existing park that serves the historic neighborhoods north of Hopkins and west of Moore. Dunbar isn't really usable for anyone who lives north of Hopkins, particularly children, since it is not safe to cross that street. The Lamar school would be an ideal location. It will never happen but it is the right answer.

The two five story apartment buildings that are nearing construction downtown are awful. The one on the north side of San Antonio has the effect of making the historic buildings on the west side of the square disappear. The apartment buildings themselves are incompatible with the otherwise historic character of downtown.

The idea of directing population growth into the central part of the city was misguided to begin with and I hope, with changes on city staff and on City Council in recent years, it has lost momentum. There are intractable traffic problems downtown already since certain key streets cannot be widened. The idea that people who live downtown won't need/want automobiles is a pipe dream. This is central Texas and for about six months out of the year the climate discourages walking. Additionally, the downtown area isn't self sufficient enough that downtown residents can meet all their needs without a car.

I know the downtown area is zoned for five story buildings but anything that can be done to discourage the construction of any more apartment buildings downtown should be done.

A hotel is one of the last things we need at the Lamar School site. This is a residential neighborhood. Single family homes or over 55 condos or apartments are the best fit.

I agree, more City offices and offices in general would be good downtown.

Totally agree that it would be great to have more City offices / offices in general downtown.

Agreed!

What Kenny said. It seems so obvious- we need to stop subsidizing car culture and create safer pathways for walking and cycling. Kind of the way downtown used to be that everyone waxes nostalgic for, before any of us were born.

The dam does a great many things from creating a great space for families, if properly maintained, to taking full advantage of the some of wonders that San Marcos has to offer. But it also protects endangered species, this cannot go overlooked. By removing the dam we place these species at an even higher risk of becoming extinct. It’s time a plan for formally established to save the dam and reopen the park!

Please open this park