Existing Conditions

Many of the assets in the Brooks Area tend to fall in to one of two categories: brand-new, tangible developments and amenities provided on/near the Brooks or intangible, legacy assets such as well-established natural, recreational, cultural, and historical resources, many of which are co-dependent or mutually influential to one another. Educational and environmental resources are heavily prioritized and respected in the area.

The Southside, including the Brooks Area Regional Center, has experienced less recent investment than other parts of the City. As a result, many community members distrust the City government and other organizations and there are fewer resources, including mechanisms for the community to work together as a collective network. Often, typically undesirable projects, which would have faced resistance from neighbors in other parts of San Antonio, have landed in this area. This resulted in the area historically experiencing a higher exposure to environmental risk and damage from such projects. These projects, combined with past military activities have resulted in constrained land use opportunities. There are a disproportionately high number of negative socio-economic determinants of health in this planning area. For example, there is a lack of safe, walkable neighborhoods and poor access to parks and other natural amenities. Flooding and drainage are also major issues on many fronts. There is also a desire to support housing that is affordable for those who work in the Brooks Area without further concentrating subsidized housing projects in the area.

Many of the Brooks Area’s challenges have recently turned into opportunities. While the Brooks Area has historically seen less development than other parts of the city, this has left room for new growth on undeveloped land and around some historic resources.

A balance will need to be found between protecting these resources while allowing for the area to revitalize. Additionally, of note, the area has a strong collective identity . The community should build upon this Southside identity to form a community network of resources which in turn builds the entire community’s capacity. The Brooks planning area contains a large variety of public and private, state and local organizations resulting in prime opportunities for partnerships. Collective strategic collaboration on shared issues (such as sustainability/resilience/ health and wellness/education) could create a larger, and otherwise, unrealized beneficial impact.