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Your portal to historic preservation in San Antonio.
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Happy 2023! As we look forward to a new year and further development of San Antonio's preservation programs, we are reflecting on the amazing year that was 2022. Some highlights include the launch of our ongoing African American Heritage Preservation Initiative, the adoption of updates to the Unified Development Code (UDC) that enhance our Design Review program and procedures, and a joyous return to in-person events, including the Historic Homeowner Fair, the Archaeology Traveling Trunk, happy hours, trades training, and so much more.
In fall 2022, City Council adoped San Antonio's first deconstruction ordinance! This is a huge step forward in ensuring that valuable historic materials are more readily available for reuse in our city rather than disposed of in landfills. We also launched our new Material Innovation Center at Port San Antonio. You'll find more details on these efforts and more below.
Keep reading for more details and a recap of some of our biggest events and initiatives from 2022. There’s also a sneak peak of what’s to come in 2023 at the end of this newsletter, including the 14th Annual Historic Homeowner Fair on Saturday, February 11. Register here if you haven't already.
Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead!
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After more than four years of integrative, community-driven work, San Antonio City Council adopted the City's first deconstruction ordinance on September 8, 2022! The ordinance is designed to meet or contribute to the following goals:
🔸 Reduce construction and demolition waste
🔸 Mitigate the airborne pollution associated with building removal
🔸 Increase the availability of reclaimed and excess building materials for local reuse
🔸 Develop and sustain a local workforce in construction, heritage trades, and deconstruction
🔸 Improve equity of building material access
The ordinance aligns with strategies in the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), Recycling and Resource Recovery Plan, and SA Ready To Work. For more information on the three phases, what buildings are subject to the ordinance, the importance of this policy for San Antonio, and more, visit www.sareuse.com!
PRESS
San Antonio Express-News / 'This works': San Antonio homes will be taken apart piece by piece instead of demolished
San Antonio Business Journal / What a new city ordinance could mean for future San Antonio development
San Antonio Report / City Council OKs ordinance to reduce demolition of old homes, moves to save shotgun homes
Smart Cities Dive / Affordable housing, zero waste efforts could benefit from San Antonio deconstruction policy
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OHP Launches African American Heritage Preservation Initiative
In 2022, we launched a 3 year plan to identify and document San Antonio's African American Heritage. OHP received a grant from the National Park Service to survey 5 historic black communities. This augments funding from the Texas Historical Commission and the Conservation Society to produce a Cultural Context statement. We worked with community to develop themes and topics for the context statement with at least 200 people participating in oral histories, community story-telling, and SpeakUpSA comments. To learn more about our work, visit our website.
History Tidbit: The Willow Wood neighborhood built in the early 1960s was billed as a "community in which there is no discrimination." Willow Wood provided homeownership opportunities to African Americans who were previously denied due to racially discriminatory deed covenants and bank lending. Follow us on social media to learn more about Willow Wood and other San Antonio African American Heritage facts.
Initiative Website
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OHP Hosts Material Innovation Center Groundbreaking
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, we held our Material Innovation Center groundbreaking event at the historic Port San Antonio Bungalow Colony! Originally constructed to house military officers at the former Kelly Airfield, the Material Innovation Center will serve as "last stop before the landfill" - a hub for building material receivership, storage, training, and research to advance the local circular economy and provide support for affordable housing efforts.
Materials donated to the Center will be redirected into affordable housing projects such as our REHABARAMA program, the Shotgun House Initiative, and other projects supported by the Housing Bond. Additional components of the campus will include a community tool library, community education spaces, and more.
 Read more about the event in the Express-News: San Antonio opens a building materials hub to promote affordable housing, help environment
Photo (L-R): Councilwoman Teri Castillo; Mayor Ron Nirenberg; Port San Antonio Senior Vice President for Strategic Design Development, Construction, and Delivery Ramon Flores; District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia; Port San Antonio CEO Jim Perschbach; OHP Director Shanon Miller; OHP ScoutSA Program Manager Dr. Jenny Hay; City Manager Erik Walsh; Port San Antonio Board Chair Chris Alderete; OHP Deconstruction and Circular Economy Program Manager Stephanie Phillips
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Local Markers Program: There's a Story Here & History Here
In 2022, a wealth of San Antonio stories were discovered, uplifted, and celebrated through our two local historical marker programs that help capture San Antonio's unique and underrepresented histories: There's a Story Here (TASH), a crowd-sourced story-sharing and mapping program with stickers or small markers installed at each site, and History Here, a community-reviewed historical marker program that results in a plaque.
On Sunday, April 10, 2022, the Office of Historic Preservation, City Council District 1, Church's Chicken, and the grandchildren of Church's founder George Church unveiled the city's first HISTORY HERE marker commemorating the opening of Church's first location 70 years ago to the day! Historically located at 111 S Alamo, the San Antonio-born company was the first Texas-based chain to expand nationally. Guests at the marker unveiling celebrated with live music, a visit from Churchie the Chicken, and chicken on a stick. The marker is installed near the northwest corner of Losoya and W Market streets.
In Print: I-10, near the intersection of Fredericksburg Rd and Woodlawn Avenue. In 1993, R.E.M. chose San Antonio to film the music video for “Everybody Hurts.” The city passed an ordinance specifically allowing the shoot to happen, and some young fans even skipped school to watch it live. Read more in the San Antonio Express-News!
📽️ On Video (in partnership with Texas Public Radio):
We're relying on you, our citizen historians, to submit stories and nominate undercelebrated histories we can share not only with our neighbors, but also with those who are new to our city and its vibrant history. Visit our webpage to submit a story or nominate a person, site, or event!
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In 2022, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released Leading the Change, a national impact agenda for the preservation movement, to help guide and inspire the preservation field to work collectively and collaboratively towards a vision for strategic change. The impact agenda is organized by seven goals that reflect what the National Trust is hearing are current top priorities for change that apply broadly across an expansive preservation movement.
We were thrilled that OHP programs and initiatives were featured as national case studies for multiple goals, including Growing Collaborative Networks, Climate Resilience, An Inclusive Movement, An Engaged Public, and Equitable Communities.
Explore the Full Impact Agenda
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Downtown Holiday Lights Run & Tour
OHP partnered with Fleet Feet for a social, supported run to inspire, cheer, and help 200 participants get in the spirit of the holidays on December 20, 2022. Check out photos of the event on Facebook @sapreservation and @fleetfeetsanantonio. The event started in historic Travis Park and took runners and walkers 3 miles through downtown San Antonio to visit some of the best-decorated historic landmarks with docents. Stops included the St James AME Church foundation, Casa Navarro, and Hemsfair. This popular holiday-themed event is part of our Historic Run Crew event series. Need a place to run? Want to explore more of San Antonio? Like our Facebook page to keep up-to-date on new events!
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Design Review & Development Code Updates
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2022 was another busy year for our Design Review team! We received more than 2,100 applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Of those, 1,615 were administratively approved and 567 were reviewed by the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC). We also reviewed 544 demolition requests and welcomed 13 new historic landmarks. According to the Texas Historical Commission, our office reviews approximately one-third of all Certificate of Appropriateness requests in the entire state of Texas!
The HDRC is advisory board comprised of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise reviewing alterations to historic properties and making recommendation for new landmark designations. With no shortage of activity in our historic neighborhoods and urban core, the work of the HDRC plays an important role in preserving the historic character and authenticity of San Antonio.
For nearly three years, OHP worked with stakeholders and a volunteer task force to develop recommendations for updates to the Unified Development Code (UDC). Approved by City Council in November 2022, these updates took effect on January 1, 2023, and include process improvements, additional guidance for decision-making, and even expansion of the HDRC membership to more efficiently consider cases. Read about the changes on our summary page.
Lastly, there is a new and better way for you to see upcoming cases and view application materials! OHP’s new Public Portal allows users to see in real time what has been tentatively scheduled for review by the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC), along with pending demolition requests. You can filter by historic district or council district to more easily find the items you are interested in. Try it out today!
OHP Public Portal
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Our Deconstruction and Circular Economy Program officially launched in 2022! This program administers the deconstruction ordinance and related material reuse initiatives, including our Material Innovation Center, research partnerships, contractor training, circular economy happy hours, community repair events, and more. And we had a big year!
In summer, we launched our revamped program website, San Antonio Reuse, as a hub for information, resources, and inspiration related to material reuse and the circular economy. From details on the deconstruction ordinance to tips for reusing building materials in your own home or community, it's got something for everyone.
In October and November, OHP hosted Certified Deconstruction Contractor Training in partnership with the San Antonio River Authority and RePurpose Savannah. Certified Deconstruction Contractor Training is a 5-day field course that focuses on transferring essential skills for the deconstruction of older housing stock, including techniques to reclaim materials in a manner that allows for their reuse. Over the course of three weeks, nearly 40 existing contractors and individuals with non-construction backgrounds were trained. Watch the recap video below.
Also in November, we kicked off our circular economy happy hour series and held our groundbreaking for the Material Innovation Center. Register for our Deconstruction and Circular Economy Program listserv to be notified of updates, contractor training, and events in 2023!
Subscribe
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Living Heritage Trades Academy
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LHTA Back to Class in 2023!
The Living Heritage Trades Academy (LHTA) is back in 2023 with more course offerings. The schedule for 2023 includes 8 Level III Wood Window Restoration Certification cohorts with the first one starting on February 20, 2023. Want more information about joining the latest training cohort or about how to become a Host Contractor? Click below to request information about the LHTA!
Learn More
Read: Texas Public Radio - Keeping San Antonio's historic character intact requires sweat, sawdust and special knowledge
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Rehabber Club Wood Window Workshops Returned in 2022
Established in 2016, the Rehabber Club's mission is to build and support a network of do-it-yourselfers, craftsmen, contractors, historic homeowners, realtors, and everyday citizens to revitalize San Antonio’s historic buildings. We accomplish this through networking, training, certification, and plain ole encouragement.
Wood Window Workshops are back! It was a treat to have a Living Heritage Trades Academy graduate, Robin Foster, teach the Wood Window Workshop in September. A very special thank you to St. James AME Church for hosting the workshop in their space and allowing the community learn a new skill! Read our recap of the event and see more photos on our Facebook page.
Be sure to subscribe to our Rehabber Club listerv to be notified of upcoming workshops in 2023!
Subscribe
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The City Archaeologists work to protect and preserve San Antonio's rich archaeological heritage. Throughout 2022, OHP oversaw a number of exciting archaeological excavations that have yielded valuable information about our past. To date, there are more than 2400 recorded archaeological sites in Bexar County!
St. James A.M.E. Church Archaeological Site Opening Ceremony
The San Antonio River Authority hosted an opening ceremony on October 15, 2022, for the St. James A.M.E. Church archaeological site in the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. The building foundations, first discovered in 2020 during construction of the park, represent the first Menger Soap Works and ca. 1872 St. James A.M.E. Church building. Matthew Elverson, City Archaeologist, first identified this archival research and later discovered the A.M.E. Church cornerstone, which is now preserved and incorporated into the project design. The site is publicly accessible and is located along the creek, southwest of the Camaron Street and Houston Street intersection.
📽️ Watch: There's a Story Here - St. James AME on the Creek
Read more about the event in the Express-News: You can now visit the first church for freed Black Texans in San Antonio
Photos (L): Shanon Shea Miller, Director of the Office of Historic Preservation, speaks at the Opening Ceremony. (R): The St. James A.M.E cornerstone, which dates to 1872.
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Archaeology Event at the Pearl
On October 29, 2022, OHP celebrated Texas Archeology Month by hosting Artifact Identification Day at the Pearl Farmer's Market. The event offered residents a unique opportunity to have professional archaeologists and material culture experts examine and identify their artifacts, including that "whatz'it" item dug up while gardening. The City Archaeologists were joined by experts from the UTSA-Center for Archaeological Research.
Interested in bringing one of our archaeologists to present at your organization? Email us for more information!
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Living Heritage Symposium
OHP hosted the 4th Living Heritage Symposium in early 2022. Over 200 people from all over the world attended the virtual conference. Attendees from as far as Italy, Spain, and Turkey and as close as the Historic Westside and River Road Historic Districts learned from international and national presenters on Climate Heritage, Cultural Districts, and Economic Prosperity. Sara Bronin, recently confirmed by the Senate as the Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, opened the event with a lively and insightful discussion on the importance of cultural heritage.
Living Heritage Website
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Vacant to Vibrant in 2022!
The Vacant Building Program achieved 154 property successes in 2022! The Vacant Building Team works with property owners to encourage repair and occupancy of their commercial and residential buildings to bring them back to productive use. Properties are considered program successes when changes to the property show a positive path forward. This can include repair to meet the maintenance standard of care, becoming occupied, and having a new owner.
In the programs eighth year of existence, the Vacant Building Program achieved over one thousand property successes! Visit the program website to learn more.
Vacant Building Program
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Legacy Business Program
New Legacy Businesses! Ranging from dance studios to banks, multiple businesses representing the historic and cultural spirit of San Antonio were inducted into the Legacy Business Program. San Antonio staff were asked to present on the program to other U.S. cities looking to model programs on OHP's initiative.
Tour the Map of Legacy Businesses
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Realtor Training: Historic House Specialist Certification
130 students took our courses in 2022 and 15 passed the online exam! We now have 150 area realtors designated as Historic House Specialists. If you're a realtor, contractor, or someone interested in learning more about our office, the design review process, architectural styles, and building research, take one or all of our HIstoric House Speicalists courses! Take all three, pass a test, and become a Historic House Specialist! Visit our website to learn more about what topics are covered, cost, and dates for 2023, including our upcoming course Genealogy of House on February 7, 10:00am - 12:00pm, via Zoom.
Register Today
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We introducted a new member to the OHP team in January!
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Bryan Morales has joined our Design Review team as a Historic Preservation Specialist. A recent graduate of UTSA's Master of History program, Bryan is highly skilled in digital and archival research, writing, and community engagement. While at UTSA, he co-launched Beyond Boundaries: Mastering the Liberal Arts, an academic journal for graduates to gain experience in writing and publishing. Bryan enjoys taking photos of buildings, going to the movies, and teaching himself piano. Welcome, Bryan!
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Conferences, Workshops, and More
You can go fast alone, but you can go far together. OHP is committed to engaging with our state, national, and international peers to learn best practices and innovative new approaches, share our initiatives with a broader audience, and identify creative opportunities to improve our preservation impact right here in San Antonio. Here are some highlights from the year on the conference circuit!
- Shanon Miller presented at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022 as part of panels on cultural heritage, resilience, & the built environment. The events were featured in the conference's Resilience Hub and included heritage leaders and practitioners from India, The Netherlands, England, Ecuador, Algeria, Mexico, and Benin.
- Shanon Miller and Stephanie Phillips gave a keynote at the annual Build Reuse Deconstruction and Reuse Conference in October 2022. Their presentation highlighted the adoption of San Antonio's deconstruction ordinance and discussed ways that other communities can build their own reuse policy toolkit.
- Shanon Miller, Stephanie Phillips, Edward Hall, and Matthew Elverson attended Preservation Action's virtual Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in March 2022. Advocacy Week provides trainings, policy briefings, and the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives to advance sound preservation policy and funding that supports local preservation programs and initiatives.
- Cory Edwards presented at the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Forum in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the session titled, "Stopping Waste and Reusing Heritage: Why Your City Needs a Deconstruction Ordinance Now." Later in the year, he was appointed to the national board of the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions (NAPC). NAPC helps communities build strong local preservation programs and leaders through education, training, and advocacy. Board Members help carry out the mission of NAPC.
Dr. Jenny Hay presented at the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Forum in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the session titled, "Equity in Climate Action: Aligning Local Cultural Heritage and Sustainability Efforts."
- Jessica Anderson and Rachel Rettaliata presented on OHP's Local Markers Program at multiple conferences in 2022, including the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Forum in Cincinnati, Ohio; the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Conference in Buffalo, New York; and the Western History Association Conference here in San Antonio.
- Claudia Espinosa presented at the Western Historic Association Conference during the session titled, "Challenging Erasure: Exploring Community Pathways to Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing Texas Black History."
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Join us in the first quarter of 2023!
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Thursday, February 2: Circular Economy Happy Hour
Join the Office of Historic Preservation the San Antonio Circular Economy Network for a Circular Economy Happy Hour on Thursday, February 2, 5:30 - 7:30pm at Burleson Yard Beer Garden! Mingle with local reuse enthusiasts and contribute to a community brainstorm session with a goal to make San Antonio a global leader in the circular economy. No RSVP required.
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Saturday, February 4: Community Storytelling - San Antonio's African American Heritage
Please join the Office of Historic Preservation and the Carver Library when we host a community discussion on African American Identity on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 11am - 1pm. The discussion will be transcribed and included in the African American Context Statement. Council Man McKee-Rodriguez will provide the Welcome. Researchers Dr. Amy Porter, Dr. Pamela Walker, and Dr. Charles Gentry will comment on the changing terms used for Black Identity throughout the last 300 years.
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Saturday, February 11, 2023: Historic Homeowner Fair
Ready to get started on your next home improvement project? Need some help connecting with a contractor or design professional? Want to learn how to navigate the historic design guidelines and the permitting process, or ask experienced renovators about their work in older homes? Join OHP on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 10:00am - 2:00pm for the 14th Annual Historic Homeowner Fair, a free annual event that brings together owners and occupants of aging and historic homes with local professionals, services, and solutions to care for and maintain their properties.
Our popular Exhibit Hall will feature local businesses including design services, construction professionals, and purveyors of goods such as tile, metal fixtures, paint, and salvaged materials.
Register to Attend the Fair
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Saturday, February 11, 2023: Architecture 101 - Looking at Historic House Styles
Join the Historic Districts Coalition and Dr. Vince Michael, Executive Director of the San Antonio Conservation Society of San Antonio, for a look into how to identify and describe historic house styles found in San Antonio and how historic districts work to preserve community character. This meeting will be held from 2:00 - 3:00pm at the TriPoint Event Center immediately after the Historic Homeowner Fair. No registration required!
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Check Out the 311SA App
Create service requests and explore your community more quickly! The updated 311 app has a new and improved design with faster performance. It's also easier to use. You can download the app in your app store by searching '311 SA.'
Please note you will need to update your password before using the new 311SA App. Call 311 if you have questions.
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Eco Scholars Grant Program Now Open
Attention Educators: Are you passionate about tackling sustainability issues? If so, the Solid Waste Management Department and Office of Sustainability have a grant for you!
Do you have an idea that could directly affect climate change, reduction of greenhouse gases, or other sustainability issues such as water and energy conservation? Applications are open through March 15, 2023; apply today!
Submit an Application
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Do you need rent or utility assistance?
Applications Accepted: February 1 through February 16
The Neighborhood and Housing Services Department is reopening the Housing Assistance Program, which provides up to 3 months of rent and utility assistance. The program will accept applications from eligible applicants who owe backpay in rent. Households facing eviction will be prioritized.
Apply and learn more! Call 210-207-5910 for more information.
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Register Your Group with the City
Did you know the City maintains a registry of associations and organizations in San Antonio? The registry helps people find and connect with their neighbors. Registered groups also receive news and updates from the City.
Learn more about the benefits of registering and register your group today!
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