The Active River
Article 4 of a four-part Urban Nerd series exploring the three distinct personalities of the San Antonio River Walk. One of the reasons I have such strong opinions about the River Walk is simple. I have lived on or next to all three of its personalities: the Visitor’s River, the Local’s River, and now the […]
The Local’s River
Article 3 of a four-part Urban Nerd series exploring the three distinct personalities of the San Antonio River Walk. In 2017 I bought a house in Tobin Hill that I probably had no business buying. It was rough, the kind of house where even the listing photos seemed to be warning you about the foundation. […]
We Need to Incentivize Civic Wealth
All great places have civic wealth: shared elements that elevate everyday human life—walkable streets, beautiful buildings, shade trees, plazas, local businesses, and access to nature. These communal resources make the simple joys of life easily available. Great places aren’t purely economic machines built for efficiency. They are human places; places for work, creativity, rest, connection, […]
Why Walkable Streets Matter for San Antonio’s Future
Imagine waking up, putting on some comfortable clothes, and heading outside. You can feel your neighborhood waking up with you: families out walking, chairs being set out in cafés, the smell of a nearby bakery rising in the air. You take a leisurely fifteen-minute stroll down a few tree-lined blocks, running into people you know […]
Rethinking San Antonio’s Sprawl: Zoning Reform
In my last article, I gave several reasons why our suburban sprawl has negatively impacted our society. These articles going forward will suggest pragmatic solutions to slowly but surely curb sprawl and help us create a more beautiful, human-scaled, and walkable San Antonio. First, let’s imagine what we want in a city. Most people that […]
Urban Momentum: Broadway East, BESA District
Would you like to see the San Antonio of the future? I can show it to you today. Meet Broadway East, a luxury-forward, pedestrian-friendly district rising just across from The Pearl. For years, the block directly east of The Pearl, bordered by Broadway and Pearl Parkway, has sat quiet. On one side is a nationally […]
Decentralize to Democratize: Fixing San Antonio by Building Neighborhood Trust
In our most recent election on May 3, 2025, only 9.26% of registered voters cast ballots. For a local election—arguably the level of government with the most direct impact on our daily lives—this is a pathetic turnout and, quite frankly, a sign of systemic failure. When fewer than one in ten voters participates in choosing […]