2022 BOND

As San Antonio voters decide whether to approve the city’s biggest-ever bond program, they’re also considering a new way to fund affordable housing.

City council approved the final, $1.2 billion list of bond projects Thursday, including: money for affordable housing, expanding the city’s greenway trail system, repairing failed streets, and building fire and police stations. It now goes to voters for approval during the May 7 election.

Despite vocal opposition from animal rights activists and others, city council voted Thursday to give $10 million to Texas Biomedical Research Institute for infrastructure improvements at its campus.

City officials have been caught off guard by the state's imminent move to halt the transfer of a 2.2-mile stretch of Broadway Avenue, which would also halt their plans for its redesign.

Out of the nearly $45 million in changes a series of citizen committees recommended to the upcoming bond program, cutting the portion set aside for public arts by $3.8 million grabbed the most attention on Wednesday.

The conservancy is pushing for a $62 million overhaul of the 1930s-era, city-owned theater, located next to the Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park. Plans include new facilities, professional lighting and sound systems, and a sweeping roof that covers the stage and expanded seating area.

Texas Biomed had requested money from the $1.2 billion bond program to improve infrastructure at its aging campus. But a citizen committee charged with recommending which projects should get funding received numerous public comments opposing the institute’s request, based on Texas Biomed’s use of primates for animal testing.

San Antonio City Council members agreed Wednesday to tweak the city’s upcoming $1.2 billion bond program to send more money to basic infrastructure needs, though nearly half the council members still don’t think it’s enough.

With $3.1 billion in flood control and drainage needs to be addressed throughout the city, several council members want a larger share of the $1.2 billion bond program put toward that end.

The first version of San Antonio’s record $1.2 billion 2022 bond program contains big investments on basic infrastructure, money to build out the city’s greenway trails system, and an allotment for a new area - housing.

The upcoming 2022 bond program is expected to include a chunk of money to keep expanding the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System, but whether it will be enough to finish off the long-awaited loop around the city is yet to be seen..