Part 3: Historic Commission rejects building that would tower over Hays Street Bridge
Channel: NOWCastSA
Date: 2018-03-10

This video is the conclusion of the March 9, 2018 Historic and Design Review Commission which  rejected a developer’s proposal to erect a 72-foot-tall apartment building next to the 58-foot-tall Hays Street Bridge.

The five-story edifice would have blocked the view of the Hays Street Bridge, one of the most recognized landmarks in San Antonio, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and designated a Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It also would have been built on land donated by the Dawson family in 2005 to be a public park connected to the beloved pedestrian bridge.

The commissioners voted 5-3 to deny the request for Certificate of Appropriateness by Mitch Meyer, head of Loopy Ltd., after hearing 21 speakers criticize the project for more than two hours. Minutes earlier, the commissioners cast a 4-4 tie vote on whether to approve the project. 

Those voting to reject the proposal were Anne-Marie Grube of District 7, who made the motion, Joel Garcia of District 9, who seconded her motion, Daniel Lazarine of District 2, Dr. Aza Kamal of District 8, and Chair Michael Guarino. Those who opposed Grube’s motion were Curtis Fish of District 1, Vice Chair John Bustamante of District 5, and John Laffoon of District 10.

The San Antonio Conservation Society and the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association delivered strong opposition to the building.