SAN ANTONIO -- The Wheatley Heights neighborhood on the city's East side was one of the most affected areas during the flood of 1998.

A portion of the neighborhood was destroyed when Salado creek came out of its banks. Lots that once were occupied with houses sit empty.

Now, due to $7.5 million in venue tax money, the area is about to get revitalization lift, thanks to sports.

Frank Dunn, with the Eastside Christian Action Group, described a proposed new sports complex for the neighborhood as "a great facility for the East side."

The facility includes a 4,000-seat stadium for football and track at Martin Luther King Park and the empty lots in Wheatley Heights will now be filled with practice fields for football and soccer.

"It brings not only an economic impact to the community, but it also develops youth groups and youth sports within the area," said Dunn

Construction starts in September and should take a year to complete.