Preserving the Character of San Antonio's Near West Side

Latino activists look to preserve a 'Chicano epicenter,' recently given the designation of a UNESCO site.

1 minute read

September 13, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Guadalupe Arts Center San Antonio

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio's Westside | Joe Diaz / Flickr

"The Westside alone, where 95 percent of the population is Hispanic, stands as a rare condensate of history, unseen elsewhere in the city or in other Chicano epicenters like Los Angeles or east Austin," Johnny Magdaleno writes for Next City. Activists in the area are looking to protect and maintain the area's culture in a growing San Antonio.

Holding on to that culture presents an interesting challenge because, as Claudia Guerra of the city's Office of Historic Preservation put it, "It's more difficult when you have a place whose significance comes not from the architecture but the people or the culture that's associated with it.”

In one way, historic preservation can be used as a tool, not just to maintain historic buildings, but also to slow gentrification. "In San Antonio, houses that receive historic designation have their pre-designation property tax rates frozen for the following 10 years if homeowners invest in rehabilitating the structure — a medium-term approach to slowing tax hikes if nearby real estate markets turn hot," Magdaleno reports. Residents hope that the neighborhood can maintain its character better than other hot property markets like east Austin, where Blacks and Latinos were largely displaced.

Monday, September 4, 2017 in Next City

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Modular housing under construction with worker guiding crane.

Commentary: New Bill Holds Key to Solving US Housing Crisis. We Just Have to Pass It.

Two bills currently moving through Congress could make mass production of prefabricated, affordable housing possible on a large scale.

October 29, 2024 - Jordan Rogove

Gaslamp Quarter

America’s 10 ‘Greenest’ Cities

A new analysis ranks cities based on their environmental quality, energy consumption and production, transportation, density, and other factors.

October 28, 2024 - The Street

Group of children with backpacks and bike helmets going to school.

How Seattle Achieved Safe Routes to School Goal

SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.

November 7 - Office of Mayor Bruce Harrell

Parked cars in floodwater with two-story apartments or homes in background in Florida after hurricane.

Auto Insurance Rates Spike Due to Extreme Weather

Car insurance costs around the country are going up as insurers receive more claims from areas struck by storms and other climate disasters.

November 7 - Grist

Small mountain lake with snow-capped mountains in background in Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

California Approves $10 Billion Bond for Water, Clean Energy, and Environmental Projects

Funds will be used to support water, wildfire prevention, environmental, and park projects, reflecting strong public support for climate resilience.

November 7 - Los Angeles Times