So that people could... 

Pedestrians need to be invited to enjoy more of San Antonio's street level and not just the river level. The old Dillard's is on a critical corner for downtown. Pedestrians wanting to walk to the mall must get past a poorly-placed bus stop on a narrow sidewalk, often stepping over teens who sit with their legs outstretched. Then the rest of the way to the mall is dark and abandoned with a faceless black wall. (And don't get me started on how insane it is the mall put a parking lot with egress across the city's busiest sidewalk right on Commerce St.) This corner redeveloped could help to welcome visitors to the mall and the street level of downtown and improve the city's perception. Change this and it invites more people to the mall, improves the economics of the mall, and may spark more development on Alamo Plaza, which is currently a collection of tacky souvenir shops.

Because I want San Antonio to be...

I want downtown to be a true 21st Century city with a livable, exciting, vibrant downtown that welcomes visitors with more than just the beauty of the river and the history of the Alamo. We San Antonions like to brag how we're the 7th largest city in the US, but we lack a true city center that draws not just tourists and conventioneers but also residents throughout the city to a downtown that offers jobs, shopping, great recreational options and diverse urban living options. (flickr photo by taoboy49 )