SAN ANTONIO – North New Braunfels Avenue was once a major north and southbound artery in San Antonio. However, when Fort Sam Houston closed a portion of the street after the 9/11 terror attacks, it took the thriving business community just south of the post with it.
Taking a stroll in the area is like stepping back in time. Businesses that once catered to soldiers and civilians are now closed.
"Never have (I) paid myself in 17 years," said Richard Warncke, Security Loan Company owner.
Warncke is one of the few business owners remaining at the corner of North New Braunfels Avenue and Grayson Street, just south of Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, and he's getting ready to relocate.
"Here's today's transactions," Warncke said as he showed an empty drawer.
Signs out in front of his business let people know his plans for his pawn shop full of relics.
On Wednesday, city of San Antonio Transportation and Capital Improvement Department leaders, along with VIA and Texas Department of Transportation representatives, will discuss breathing new life into the area by reopening a quarter-mile of North New Braunfels through post. The stretch was closed following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
"It was busy. I mean, you had customers come in," Warncke said of business prior to the street closure.
Although Warncke is relocating his business, he said he's heard empty promises about opening the gate over and over again. However, he said he would still like to see it happen.
"If they open these gates, it's really going to boom for the people that are here. Restaurants can come back, things and such," Warncke said.
The feasibility study on reopening North New Braunfels Avenue through JBSA-Fort Sam Houston will be presented from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday at Pfluger and Associates at 1901 N. New Braunfels. Free parking is available across the street to the south of Pfluger, a news release said.
Representatives from JBSA-Fort Sam Houston also plan to be in attendance. A spokesman issued the following statement via email:
Since September 11, 2001, DoD Force Protection requirements restrict access to all DoD locations (including all of JBSA) only to authorized personnel. A vulnerability assessment has determined that access to the installation through these control points presents an unreasonable security risk to installation resources and personnel. The New Braunfels gates was one of many JBSA gates closed to achieve compliance with DoD policy. JBSA is, and will remain, a great partner with Military City USA, but any initiative to allow access to the installation must meet current DoD requirements. While we value our partnership with the city, Force Protection and National Security mission assurance remains paramount.