Precinct 1 has been extremely lucky to receive support from my fellow colleagues on Commissioners Court to completely re-invest into the South Side and revitalize a gem located in the heart of my community. Under the leadership of Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County Commissioners Court further solidified its commitment to the South Side with the recent approval of a $5.275 million contract with Guido Brothers Construction to redevelop and improve Mission County Park. Mission County Park is the most utilized park throughout the County. This re-development has been in the planning process for quite some time and finally has come to life.

The design of the re-development of Mission County Park will tie the park into the Mission Reach project, serving as a major portal between the river trails and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The project includes renovating the 1950’s era Rotunda Pavilion, kitchen and barbecue building and the existing restrooms. Salvaged structural steel frames will be repurposed for use in the park. New structures will include picnic pavilions, a performance pavilion, new restrooms and a service and maintenance building.

After several public meetings were conducted to gather public input, the redesign was slightly modified and completed. The Mission County Park re-development project will take approximately one year to complete and the work will coincide with work on the adjacent Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project being completed by the San Antonio River Authority. A new river portal will be inside the park boundary and will provide direct pedestrian access to the park from the river.

 Mission County Park No. 1 is one of the four most used recreational areas in Bexar County’s park inventory. The park’s 16 acres occupy a historically significant area of southern Bexar County dating back to the early Late Archaic period and Spanish Colonial period of this region’s history. From its first established use as farmlands associated with Mission San Jose to its establishment as a county-owned park in 1950, Mission County Park continues to play a vital role in the historic and cultural story of Bexar County. A portion of the project will be paid for through two Texas Parks and Wildlife grants totaling $1.75 million.

“I am very proud to have received the support from my colleagues in pursuing this investment for Mission County Park. My commitment to bring projects that will enhance the South Side and improve the quality of life for the surrounding communities is clearly shown with this park project. I look forward to a grand re-opening coming up in the near future.”

When I ran for County Commissioner in 2004, I made a promise to put the safety of Precinct 1 at the forefront of issues to be worked on from a policy perspective. My commitment to enhancing the Southside was illustrated about a year and a half ago when I was joined by Southside community members and school leaders in the parking lot at Elm Creek Elementary. It pleased me to announce that Bexar County was set to break ground on the new construction of a $2M flood control project aimed to eliminate two dangerous low water crossings on Shepherd Road. The project  known as Shepherd Road at Elm Creek & Black Hill Branch, was the first of the Bexar County Flood Control Program’s capital improvement projects to go under construction. This well defined the commitment I have made with the support of my colleagues on Commissioners Court to make sure the safety of my Precinct 1 constituent is safeguarded.

Four months ago in October 2011, I was extremely pleased when I was gathered again at the same elementary school by the same community members and school leaders to announce the completion of the construction of the safety enhancement project. The grateful community expressed much relief to me at that time because their travels to and from home, work or school would no longer be threatened by flash flooding on Shepherd Road. Safety would no longer be a worry for our parents, grandparents, children, and educators. 

At the time of the celebration and “ribbon cutting”, we were experiencing drought conditions. The dryness of our soil did not inhibit the community from their harsh memory of the life that was lost in the flood waters back in 2007. Through the County’s 10-year, $500 million flood control program, we have now improved Shepherd Road so that something like that will never happen again. My first concern is always the safety of our citizens and first responders and I am proud to be with you today to celebrate this achievement. 

As I was joined by Dr. Verstuyft, he mentioned to me that as a community, they all know very well the dangers of flash flooding on Shepherd Road. Dr. Verstuyft mentioned the community was constantly challenged to find alternate routes for their school buses and to find safe routes for our students to and from school every time we had a major rain event. Dr. Verstuyft also expressed enormous relief to know that they will not have to worry about that anymore. I was very humbled by the expression of gratitude from the community for making this project a priority. With your continued support and vote in the Democratic Primary in 2012, I will continue to bring projects to the Southside that improve our community and preserve our safety.