North San Antonio | September 2025

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North San Antonio Edition VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 SEPT. 20 OCT. 20, 2025

How the 1604 expansion is reshaping San Antonio’s commute INSIDE 16 Future forward

Also in this issue

Impacts Page 4 Read about Tacos on the Street opening a new location Page 15 Learn about a hospital expansion underway in Stone Oak Health care

The new I10 and Loop 1604 interchange is a project by the Texas Department of Transportation that will improve connectivity in the region once completed.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Andrew Creelman Parks Kugle Thomas Leer Jarrett Whitener Graphic Designers Nicolas Delgadillo Alissa Foss Chelsea Peters Account Executive Devora MacCann Senior Product Manager Breanna Flores Quality Desk Editor Sarah Hernandez

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Impacts

• Opened July 30 • 10103 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio • www.crunch.com/locations/sa-colonnade 4 HTeaO The tea chain is known for its many tea varieties and specialty iced and hot coffee. • Opened Aug. 23 • 1638 NE Loop 410, San Antonio • www.hteao.com 5 Tacos On The Street The restaurant serves carne asada street tacos and cuisine from the city of Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. • Opened Sept. 6 • 22026 Hwy. 281 N., Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.tacosonthestreet.com 6 The Yard Gym This Australian-based company opened a new location with an elevated boutique fitness experience. • Opened summer 2025 • 10003 NW Military Highway, Ste. 1124, San Antonio • https://theyardgym.com/locations/alon

HARDY OAK BLVD.

Stone Oak

CAMP BULLIS

ROSEHART

BULVERDE RD.

LA CANTERA PKWY.

PAESANOS PKWY.

1604

Hollywood Park

1604

281

Shavano Park

410

Coming soon

410

JACKSON KELLER RD.

7 Alphabetz Montessori The new learning and daycare center will focus on Montessori-based education methods. • Opening this winter

HARRY WURZBACH RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

SENTINEL DR.

• 19336 Bulverde Road, San Antonio • www.alphabetzmontessori.com

2 Everyone Eyecare The optometrist offers standard procedures and exams, including vision testing, eye check-ups and more. • Opened July 16 • 3643 E. Evans Road, Ste. 103, San Antonio • www.everyoneeyecare.com 3 Crunch Fitness This gym chain has a standard 24/7 gym membership experience with treadmills, machines and classes.

Now open

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

1 Klaw Time The new claw machine arcade contains 18 machines, filled with prizes, gaming consoles and more. • Opened July 15 • 5525 Blanco Road, Ste. 121, San Antonio • www.letsklaw.com

8 Swish Dental The dental practice will offer services like restorative dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers and more. • Opening spring 2026 • 20135 Stone Oak Parkway, San Antonio • www.swishsmiles.com

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9 NRG Adventure Park A new kids’ indoor gymnasium will feature a playground, climbing walls, trampolines, an arcade and more. • Opening spring 2026 • 25 NE Loop 410, Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.playnrg.com

In the news

Now open

12 The Shops at La Cantera The shopping, dining and entertainment district is celebrating 20 years since its inception this September. • 15900 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio • www.theshopsatlacantera.com 13 Vivo Infusions The company acquired Vista Visionary Infusions of South Texas. Staff provide infusion therapy. • 3603 Paesanos Parkway, Ste. 200, San Antonio • www.vivoinfusion.com

Relocations

10 PNC Bank The bank will relocate from 15900 La Cantera Parkway, Ste. 3445, providing traditional financial services. • Relocation date TBD • 5518 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 105, San Antonio • www.pnc.com

15 Fatburger & Buffalo’s Express A new joint restaurant between the two brands is now open, serving specialty burgers, wings and rice bowls. • Opened Sept. 4 • 13480 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio • www.buffalos.com, www.fatburger.com

Closings

Expansions

14 Factory Mattress After filing for bankruptcy, this mattress seller is closing all locations in San Antonio once inventory runs out. • Closing TBD • 21918 Hwy. 281 N., Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.factorymattresstexas.com

11 Thompson Safety The business acquired A1 Shiner, a fire protection company, and added a San Antonio office. • 10718 Sentinel Drive, San Antonio • www.thompson-safety.com

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Government

To protect Bexar County from the dangers of flash flooding, county commissioners voted to implement improvements and expansions of the county’s flood warning system Aug. 5. What’s changed Known as the Next Generation Flood Warning System, the new system will be implemented by the San Antonio River Authority, or SARA, and will help streamline stream and rain gauges for more detail in real time. According to county documents, SARA estimates that the upgrades and expansion of the predictive flood model, or PFM, in Bexar County is roughly $22 million and $11.82 million in the city of San Antonio. Bexar County invests in flood warning system

• Standardize all programmable and communica- tion equipment • Install manually closing low-water crossing barricade gates • Report to a single server, share data with partners • Single command center, shared access with partners • Implement and leverage PFM version 3.0 for more precise flooding locations and timing Long-term: • Leverage PFM 3.0 to identify future infrastructure needs • Automate low-water crossing barricade gates SARA said the upgrades and expansions are due to a variety of factors, such as Bexar County’s location within the Balcones Escarpment, which can see intense and unpredictable weather. The backstory According to county documents, Bexar County’s past investments in flood control include a 10-year, $500 million flood control program first commenced

These changes are designed as a multipronged approach to improve flood readiness, reduce or elim- inate water rescues at low-water crossings, leverage technology for an improved early warning system, remove structures from floodplain and floodway and create more resilient systems. The approach: • Flood warning system

• Resilient flood infrastructure • Communications and advocacy • Operations and maintenance The conditions

According to SARA officials, its warning system roadmap includes three categories—immediate, short-term and long-term. Immediate: • Restore functionality to all gauges and communications • Update gauge alert thresholds with additional warning levels Short-term:

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BY PARKS KUGLE

Flood warning system needs for City of San Antonio

“This is a signicant investment of tens of millions of dollars that can go into providing real-time

Project

Unit cost

Units

Cost

predictive modeling to ensure that we protect human life in a catastrophic ooding incident.” GRANT MOODY, PRECINCT

New low water crossing gauge-installation

$20,000

$400,000

Web cams at each low water crossing

$200

121

$24,200

3 BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Develop action level for gauges (predictive ood model programming)

$1,200

121

$145,200

in 2007 and an additional $384 million in local flood control projects since 2017. Investments include roughly 80 high-water alert life-saving technology warning systems that use sensors to detect rising water on roadways. In 2003, the county, San Antonio, SARA and 20 suburban cities formed an interlocal agency partnership known as Bexar Regional Watershed Management, which manages stormwater issues in the county and has implemented over $2 billion in flood mitigation projects since its creation.

Predictive model updates for new gauge data

$2,000

121

$242,000

Automatic closing gates at low water crossings

$80,000

$7,840,000

Solar street light installations

$10,000

242

$2,420,000

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition hardware

$750,000

Total

$11,821,400

SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Government

BY PARKS KUGLE

SA Council moves forward with Spurs arena The San Antonio City Council voted to move forward with negotiations with the San Antonio Spurs for the new arena during its Aug. 21 meeting. Long story short The City Council considered two conflicting res- olutions during the meeting. One was to authorize negotiations and execute a nonbinding term sheet with the San Antonio Spurs, and the other was a resolution not to consider the proposed term sheet without further due diligence. San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has maintained that the city is moving too fast with a once-in-a-generation project. The vote to authorize Walsh to enter into nego- tiations with the Spurs passed 7-4, with Jones, District 2 council member Leo Castillo-Anguiano, District 5 council member Teri Castillo and District 6 council member Ric Galvan voting against.

Shavano Park creates fund for digital billboard revenue As a way to ensure funds generated from the upcoming Loop 1604 Urban Sign Corri- dor are used to enhance residents’ quality of life, the Shavano Park City Council voted unanimously to create the Community Engagement and Enhancement Fund during its Aug. 25 meeting. The big picture The fund would restrict revenue gener- ated from the City’s digital billboards to events and projects that promote commu- nity engagement and enhance quality of life. All expenditures must be approved by the City Council at the start of the fiscal year, with any mid-year amendments requiring additional votes.

Term Sheet summary of Spurs obligations

Spurs contribution of $500 million plus any cost overruns

Spurs and developers to commit $1.4 billion in guaranteed taxable value increment for new mixed-use development over a 12-year period Spurs will pay initial rent of $4 million which will escalate by 2% each year thereafter Non-relocation commitment: requires Spurs to maintain its NBA franchise in San Antonio and play home games in the arena with few exceptions

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The resolution authorizes Erik Walsh, San Antonio city manager, to complete negotiations with the Spurs and execute a nonbinding term sheet with the team.

Funds restricted to:

Shavano Park increases permit, city services fees During its Aug. 25 meeting, Shavano Park City Council voted unanimously to update the city’s administrative building permits and the emer- gency medical service fees. Zooming in scaled back their original fee increase proposals, dropping the residential fence and roof permit increases. City officials also reduced EMS fee increases to the 10% state law limitation.

City services and city-sponsored events that directly engage with the community Capital improvement projects like hiking and biking trails that facilitate community engagement

Fee adjustments include a $50 increase for elec- trical, plumbing and HVAC permits and a remod- eling fee increase from $0.87 to $1 per square foot. The City also increased its administrative credit card transaction fee from 2.5% to 4%.

Projects that promote community enhancement

Assistant City Manager Curtis Leeth presented new adjustments made following the July 28 presentation to City Council. Leeth said the city

SOURCE: CITY OF SHAVANO PARK/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Hollywood Park City Council looks to increase FY 2025-26 tax rate

The city has maintained a tax rate of $0.4617 per $100 valuation for two years. The current tax rate generated $3.6 million in revenue for the city in FY 2024-25. The proposed FY 2025-26 tax rate would net the city $3.82 million . Timmons noted the average homestead value only increased by 0.5%, which is why the revenue impact is lower than last year’s roughly $200,000 increase. Council will vote on adopting the new FY 2025-26 tax rate and budget on Sept. 16.

The Hollywood Park City Council discussed a 3.54% increase to the city’s tax rate during its Aug. 19 meeting. The gist City Treasurer Fred Timmons said the proposed maximum tax rate of $0.47805 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2025-26 would increase annual taxes from $2,474 to $2,576, which is an increase of $101 per average household. The higher tax rate would generate an estimated $166,000 in total tax levy.

“If we were to keep the tax rate the same as 2024, our increase in tax revenues would be about $36,000.” FRED TIMMONS, HOLLYWOOD PARK CITY TREASURER

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY PARKS KUGLE

For the third year in a row, North East ISD, or NEISD, has received a ‘C’-rating from the Texas Education Agency, or TEA, according to A-F Accountability ratings released Aug. 15. “We have more A and B-rated schools than we have had in the past few years,” NEISD Superintendent Sean Maika said in a news release. “We continue to improve, and our students are growing academically” North East ISD receives third consecutive ‘C’ rating from TEA Ratings were released for both the 2023-24 and the 2024-25 school years. NEISD received an overall score of 78 out of 100 for both school years.

Two-year score breakdown District score NEISD has continued to have a ‘C’ 2023-24

2024-25 performance

This shows the percentage of students that met grade level or above. Closing the gaps

2024-25

Reading Math

overall rating in 2024-25, with its score remaining a 78 out of 100 for both years.

62% 68% American Indian 67% 61% Pacific Islander

67% 60% African American

89% 87% White 88% 91% Asian

78/100

School scores

75% 71% Hispanic

School

2023-24

2024-25

Canyon Ridge Elementary Encino Park Elementary

A A A A B A

78% 75% All Students

86% 83% Two or more races

68% 65% High Focus*

Bush Middle Lopez Middle Johnson High Reagan High

*HIGH FOCUS INCLUDES ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, HIGHLY MOBILE STUDENTS AND THOSE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES

NOTE: GRAPHIC DOES NOT REPRESENT THE SCORE OF EVERY CAMPUS IN THE DISTRICT, JUST THOSE WITHIN OUR COVERAGE AREA.

Percentage of students approaching grade level or above on STAAR tests

Four-year graduation rate

Percent of campuses by achievement level

2023-24 2024-25

20%

State

District

State

District

33%

29%

21%

36%

34%

14%

11%

1% 0%

Reading

Math

Science

Social Studies

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: PERCENTAGES MAY NOT EQUAL 100 DUE TO ROUNDING.

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Education

BY PARKS KUGLE

NISD maintains ‘C’ rating, 28 campuses see improvements

of its [TEA] rating, is dedicated to continuous improvement. Our schools have many achievements to celebrate and also areas where they can improve,” district officials said in a statement.

schools received an A, 40 schools received a B, 44 schools received a C, 18 schools received a D and seven schools received an F. “We know that every school in NISD, regardless

For the third year in a row, Northside ISD, or NISD, has received a ‘C’ rating from the Texas Education Agency, or TEA, according to A-F Accountability ratings released Aug. 15. According to the TEA, 10

Two-year score breakdown District score 2023-24

2024-25 performance

This shows the percentage of students that met grade level or above. Closing the gaps

2024-25

Reading Math

Northside ISD continued to have a ‘C’ overall rating in the 2024-25 school year, with its score dropping from 76 to 75 out of 100 year over year.

53% 39% American Indian 72% 47% Pacific Islander

50% 32% African American

71% 58% White 61% 55% Asian

76/100

75/100

School scores

52% 36% Hispanic

School

2023-24

2024-25

Boone Elementary Locke Hill Elementary

C C B C B B

C C B B B C

58% 46% Two or more races

42% 30% High Focus*

Rawlinson Middle Stinson Middle

Brandeis High

*HIGH FOCUS INCLUDES ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, HIGHLY MOBILE STUDENTS AND THOSE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES

Clark High

NOTE: GRAPHIC DOES NOT REPRESENT THE SCORE OF EVERY CAMPUS IN THE DISTRICT.

Percentage of students approaching grade level or above on STAAR tests

Four-year graduation rate

Percent of campuses by achievement level

2023-24 2024-25

State

District

State

District

26%

34%

37%

36%

23%

15%

Reading

Math

Science

Social Studies

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: PERCENTAGES MAY NOT EQUAL 100 DUE TO ROUNDING.

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Education

BY PARKS KUGLE

On Aug. 11, the North East ISD Board of Trustees voted to call a $495 million bond election Nov. 4. What you need to know According to district docu- ments, the proposed bond pack- age was created after a review of NEISD facilities, enrollment trends and instructional needs. Bond funds would be used for: • Renovating and repairing existing school buildings • Enhancing campus safety and security systems • Improving fine arts, athletics and extracurricular spaces • Upgrading instructional technology and classroom equipment Though the bond would raise $495 million for the district, there will be no increase to the current tax rate for at least five years. North East ISD to hold $495M bond election

NEISD 2025 bond election proposition breakdown

Prop A - General: 80.88% Prop B - Technology: 10.8% Prop C - Athletics: 5.89% Prop D - Stadiums: 1.96% Prop E - Natatorium: 0.47%

NOTE: PROJECTS ARE PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

SOURCE: NORTH EAST ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Teri Chidgey, vice president of the NEISD board of trustees, stressed that this bond wasn’t to build luxury accommodations, but to provide the necessary essentials. “I want to take care of our children. That doesn’t mean we’re going to build a Playland Park, but it does mean we’re going to keep them cool in the 100-degree weather and keep them warm,” Chidgey said.

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The University of Texas at San Antonio, or UTSA, College of Lib- eral and Fine Arts has launched a new Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism within its Department of Communication. The gist According to a news release, the new degree expands the depart- ment’s existing courses, which include programs in communica- tion and digital media influence. The new bachelor’s in journal- ism is centered around com- munity journalism, multimedia

Courses will include:

• The Fundamentals of Journalism • Digital Audiences • Media Writing and Reporting • Careers in Community Journalism

SOURCE: UTSA/COMMUNITY IMPACT

news production and hands-on experiential learning. The degree’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for positions as journalists, technical writers, news producers and marketing specialists.

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Transportation

Development

BY PARKS KUGLE

San Antonio completes Sonterra Road extension project

Shavano Park looks to build $1.2M greenway connection • 10-foot concrete trail approximately 3,254 linear feet long, connecting Cliffside Drive to Salado Creek Greenway • Parking lot, bike racks and water fountains at the trailhead The framework New trail NW. MILITARY HWY.

In a bid to be awarded $1.2 million for the con- struction of a trailhead connecting Shavano Park to the Salado Creek Greenway, Shavano Park city officials presented a plan Aug. 1 to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or AAMPO, as part of the organization’s fiscal year 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program. The overview According to city documents, the proposed project aims to increase pedestrian and bicyclist access to the Salado Creek Greenway. The project would construct a trailhead at the intersection of Saddletree Road and Northwest Military Highway, connecting to an existing bike lane and trail that runs along Northwest Military Highway. Project scope includes: • 5-foot bike path approximately 2,057 linear feet long, connecting Cliffside Drive to Northwest Military Highway

San Antonio city officials have completed the Sonterra Road Extension project, which trans- formed the road into a four-lane roadway that

Project budget The project is part of the 2022-27 bond program.

CLIFFSIDE DR.

leads to Loop 1604. Two-minute impact

COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH

SALADO CREEK GREENWAY

CPS Contribution $159.59K SAWS Contribution $141.57K 2022 General Obligation Bond (Streets) $6M

GOLD CANYON RD.

The project added a roundabout at the intersec- tion of East Sonterra Boulevard and Gold Canyon Road, allowing drivers to reach Loop 1604

Additionally, Shavano Park is constructing sidewalks and bike lanes along De Zavala Road that will provide a safe route to the proposed trail for pedestrians and bicyclists. The new trailhead would also address a lack of parking between the Loop 1604 and Huebner Road greenway entrances. “It’s not a Shavano Park solution, something solely for our citizens,” Shavano Park Mayor Bob Werner said during the presentation. “It is a solution that serves that central-north core of San Antonio and the surrounding areas.” Bill Hill, city manager of Shavano Park, said the project would not require extensive construction. “The engineering on this project is not

Proposed trailhead

$6.3 million total

1604

Upgrades also include: • Raised center median • Roadway lighting in the median • A 6-foot sidewalk • A 12-foot shared-use path

During Phase 1, the northern church driveway was closed, while Gold Canyon Road remained open to traffic. Phases 2-4 focused on the con- struction of the Gold Canyon Road extension and the adjacent church driveway. Additionally, contractors installed a storm sewer system and relocated the SAWS water line and tie-in. The project was part of the city of San Antonio’s 2022-2027 bond program and cost $6.3 million .

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

complex,” Hill said. “There’s no right away or other acquisitions we need to do. Utility conflicts are minimal. It’s almost shovel-ready.” According to AAMPO documents, the Shavano Park Trail Connection ranked third out of 47 submitted projects and first in the transportation alternatives category during the public feedback phase of the process.

District 9 council member Misty Spears said the new extension to Loop 1604 provides a level of convenience for residents. “I was surprised. I had no idea that it was already done … it’s working [really well, but] I don’t think people know it’s there,” Spears said.

• Two 11-foot left lanes • Two 12-foot right lanes • An extension of the roadway to connect with the Community Bible Church northern driveway • Drainage improvements

STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322 DE ZAVALA 5219 De Zavala Rd (210) 561-0900

VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206

RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244

LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600

Development

BY PARKS KUGLE

On Aug. 26, the Texas General Land Oce, in partnership with Rockbridge and the Alamo Trust Inc., announced that it acquired The Menger Hotel and The Crockett Hotel. The purchase recaptures the original battle site’s footprint and expands the Alamo District in line with the Alamo Plan, which includes a museum, new exhibits and buildings. The two properties have not been available for purchase in decades and sit adjacent to the Alamo grounds. “By securing the footprint around the Alamo Complex for the State of Texas, we are protecting these hallowed grounds and enhancing one of our nation’s most sacred historical sites,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. The Alamo district expands

The background

Since 1859, the Menger Hotel has been The Alamo’s next-door neighbor. The hotel has welcomed a long line of U.S. presidents, national leaders and cultural icons. The hotel bar is also the site where future president Theodore Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders. Named after the Alamo Defender, Davy Crockett, the Crockett Hotel was built by the Three Link Fraternity to serve as its local lodge and a hotel in 1909. The hotel underwent a major expansion in 1927, including the addition of a seven-story west wing, and received additional renovations in 1982 and 2007. Both properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Structures and are members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America.

The Crockett Hotel is located at 320 Bonham Ste. 2, in San Antonio.

PARKS KUGLECOMMUNITY IMPACT

THE ALAMO DISTRICT

The Crockett Hotel

Menger Hotel

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Health care

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

Methodist Hospital Stone Oak broke ground on a vertical expansion project Aug. 13, planning to add two new oors, 50 new hospital beds and more. “Our community is growing rapidly and our hospital is growing even faster,” the hospital’s CEO, Michael Beaver, told Community Impact . The breakdown The new expansion to the hospital located at 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd. will cost approximately $104 mil- lion and add 83,948 square feet of new space to the hospital’s West Tower, according to a news release. Overall, the new 5th oor will contain 40 new Med Tele beds—or beds equipped with telemetry monitoring equipment—while the new 6th oor will Stone Oak hospital breaks ground on $104M expansion

E. SONTERRA BLVD.

281

1604

The new expansion at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak is expected to be completed in January.

RENDERING COURTESY METHODIST HOSPITAL STONE OAK

continued growth of healthcare in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio. “All of these investments are aligned with the needs of the local community,” he said at the groundbreaking. “We’re making sure that we are providing services [the community] needs right here.” Earlier this year, Beaver said Methodist Health- care opened a new freestanding emergency room in Bulverde and expanded their emergency depart- ment in Stone Oak.

add 14 extra critical care intensive care unit beds. Beaver estimated the project could be completed in January 2027. “It’s going to be worth more than $104 million over the next few years,” Beaver said. Additionally, the expansion will include extra shelled space on the new 6th oor, renovations of the kitchen and additional parking spaces. The local impact Beaver said that this new development marks the

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Future forward From the cover

In a nutshell

District 10 council member Marc Whyte said major transportation improvements are imperative to meet the growing needs of commuters. “More and more people are coming to our city … and the goal is for these projects to make it easier and safer for people to get around,” Whyte said.

Spears said. “It’s a lot like how when we expanded US 281—it was a nightmare for quite a while, but the end result has been fantastic.” The $1.4 billion six-segment Loop 1604 project— projected to cost $1.55 billion once fully funded— aims to upgrade the transit corridor from a four- lane expressway to a 10-lane expressway.

With the first three segments of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Loop 1604 North Expansion Project over 60% completed, District 9 council member Misty Spears said the expanded highway will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for North San Antonians. “Everyone sees [that] this is going to be good,”

Loop 1604 project breakdown The six-segment project stretches from the west to the east sides of North San Antonio, intersecting with I-10, US 281 and I-35.

281

1604

Segment 2

Projection completion

Segment 3

65%

Direct connectors Bridge

281

85%

Existing roads

Segment 1

1604

REDLAND RD.

94%

Segment 6 0%

Segment 4 26%

Segment 5 21%

Loop 1604 and I10

Loop 1604 and US 281

Loop 1604 and I35

410

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

PHOTOS BY: DRAGON DRONE SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

A closer look

Project cost Segment 1: $181M

and CEO of the Metro SA Chamber of Commerce, said businesses have experienced a loss in revenue. “The fear and concern is that people are just going to stay away entirely, regardless of if there is a lane closure ... we just don’t want to turn into this desolate area where folks are just going to stay away,” Finley said.

The scope of construction includes reconfigur- ing the layout of auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit ramps, adding a HOV lane in each direction, building accommodations for bicyclists and pedes- trians, and flood mitigation. With continually shifting construction limiting access to commercial areas, businesses along the transit corridor have been negatively impacted. Brett Finley, president

Segment 4: $218M Segment 5: $205M Segment 2: $463M Segment 3: $279M

Total: $1.55B

Segment 6: $203M SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT 3

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY PARKS KUGLE

The takeaway

The local impact

Projected Loop 1604 project timeline

Finley said once the project is completed, the city will be much more attractive to corporations and future economic development. Jennifer Serold, public information officer for TxDOT’s San Antonio district, said the Loop 1604 project covers 23 miles and will tie into the I-35 Northeast Expansion project. Once all six segments are completed by 2028, travel times are estimated to be reduced by 76%. “The US 281 North Expansion project has already been completed,” Serold said. “Drivers on the US 281 corridor are already seeing tremendous time savings, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found an annual cost savings of $350 per driver because of the project.”

North San Antonio communities are heavily affected by the continued construction. Spears said her district is working to create business spotlights to assist those affected. “It’s the mom and pops that we’re worried about. The staples that have been our community for years,” Spears said. Impacted areas include Encino Park, the Brook Hollow area, the Vineyard, Panther Springs and all of the neighborhoods along Sonterra Boulevard. “It’s very impactful because we have detours on detours, and it’s taking a longer time to get to work, you’re having to get to schools,” Spears said. “It’s just congestion, and it makes people grumpy and irritable. It’s hard on their vehicles.” Whyte said construction needs to be moving at a quicker pace. “And to me, it's about making sure we select contractors properly based on merit, based on them having a track record of finishing on time and on budget,” Whyte said.

Segment 1

Segment 2

Segment 3

Segment 4

Segment 5

NOTE: SEGMENT 6 IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND THE TIMELINE IS TO BE DETERMINED. TIMELINES ARE ESTIMATED AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Events

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

Jazz in the Garden: Toro Flores & Hot Sauce Experience lush scenery at this popular San Antonio garden, along with intimate music from Toro Flores & Hot Sauce, a local jazz musician and backing band. Food and drinks are available and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. • Oct. 10, 6:30-9 p.m. • Free (donations accepted) • Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio • saparks.org/events/jazz-in-the-garden-fall-series

Family Fishing Day As fish are released into the San Antonio River, head to Brackenridge Park and learn how to cast a reel and wrangle in the biggest catch. There will be a contest for those under 16, and no license is necessary to participate.

• Oct. 25, 9 a.m. • Free (admission)

• Joske Pavilion, 3700 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio • www.brackenridgepark.org/event/family-fishing- day

band through the talents of Beasts Over Boston as they perform their first concert in Texas. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. • Oct. 3-4, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. • $15 • Fitzgerald’s, 437 McCarty Road, Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.fitzrockssa.com/events Market Days at Encino Park There will be 70 vendors selling jewelry, food, clothing, crafts and more. Proceeds will go to local scholarships. • Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio, San Antonio • www.facebook.com/p/Market-Days-Encino-Park- Womens-Club Día de los Muertos Half Marathon Participants are encouraged to wear costumes for the race. The event will also have a kids’ race, a 5K, and a quarter marathon. • Oct. 5, times vary • Ticket prices vary • Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW. Military Hwy., San Antonio • www.runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio National Night Out This event will feature demonstrations from police and fire departments. There will also be inflatables, an obstacle course, face painting, photo opportunities and more. • Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Shavano Park City Hall, 900 Saddletree Court,

Shavano Park • www.shavanopark.org/residents/events.php

September

Dancing in the Dark: Bye Bye Summer Bachata Head to this historic area of San Antonio to get dancing lessons and enjoy downtown dining and shopping.

Big Texas Comicon Check out this fan convention featuring appearances and photo-ops with actors Anthony Starr, Kristen Schaal, Martin Kove and more. There will be vendors, artists, comic books, cards and more. • Oct. 17-19, times vary • Ticket prices vary • Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E. Market St., San Antonio • www.bigtexascomicon.com 10th Annual Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival Attendees can learn, celebrate and see the importance of butterflies and other pollinators in the South Texas ecosystem. There will be hands-on nature activities and lectures for all ages. • Oct. 18, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Brackenridge Park, 3700 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio • www.brackenridgepark.org 8th Annual Monster Dash Hosted by the nonprofit Now You See Me, head to this Halloween-themed race from a mile fun run to a half marathon with a pet costume contest, free food and more. • Oct. 26, 7:30 a.m. • $30-75 depending on race distance • Comanche Park, 2600 Rigsby Road, San Antonio • http://bit.ly/2025DASHER

• Sept. 23, 6 p.m. • Free (admission) • La Villita, 418 Villita St., San Antonio • www.lavillitasanantonio.com/Our-Events

Oktoberfest at Little Woodrow’s There will be live music, a Stein Hoisting competition, beer and more. • Sept. 27, 5 p.m. • Free (admission) • Little Woodrow’s, 606 W. Afton Oaks Blvd., San Antonio • www.littlewoodrows.com Rey Feo Superhero River Parade To finish off Hispanic Heritage Month, check out this superhero-themed festival and parade supporting a local nonprofit that benefits education scholarships. • Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m. • $25 (general admission) • Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita St., San Antonio • www.reyfeoscholarship.com/events

October

Beast over Boston — Tribute to Iron Maiden Hear the legendary sounds of this iconic heavy metal

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Business

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

Lange has an assortment of vintage, bee-themed clothing and accessories available at her boutique.

Honey Mercantile has a large selection of home decor, kitchen supplies, candles, local honey, clothing and more.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW CREELMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Honey Mercantile buzzing with coee and gifts

Owner Alison Lange said she opened Honey Mercantile in November 2023.

community,” she said. “We’re not just a store, and so many wonderful people and neighbors have come out to support us.” Lange said her shop stands out because she not only sells traditional boutique clothes and accesso- ries, but she also has a selection of apothecary products, natural herbs and of course, the coee bar with specialty drinks. “It’s kind of a boutique and general store,” Lange said. “A neighborhood spot that’s kind of boujee.” In the future, Lange said she may explore the idea of franchising a new location in San Antonio, but for now, she wants to make her store in Stone Oak “perfect.”

Normally, boutiques don’t have their own coee bar—but Alison Lange, the owner of Honey Mercantile, an eclectic shop in Stone Oak, said she needed one to fuel the days in her small business. How we got here Owner Alison Lange opened Honey Mercantile in November 2023. With a love for honeybees and the nickname “Honey” given to her own children, Honey Mercantile opened in November 2023. What’s special about it More than anything, Lange said her shop has really brought the community together in North San Antonio. “This business is my love letter to the

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION

Dining

BY PARKS KUGLE

Victoria Moreno said the concept for Lovers Piz- zeria came about because she and her ancé, Dusty Dworak, wanted to spend more time together. “The name [Lovers Pizzeria] essentially exists because me and Dusty wanted to be together all the time, and we were like, what can we do where we just work together all the time?” Moreno said. Dworak said the name is also, at heart, about their deep and abiding love for pizza. The background Before the couple decided to open their own restaurant, Dworak was the pitmaster at 2M Smokehouse from 2016 to 2021. During his time at the smokehouse, the couple took a trip to New York, where they discovered their passion for coal-red style pizza. Moreno said their mutual passion for food made opening a restaurant together a natural decision. “Dusty has a passion for bread, and I have been a cook my whole life, so [with] our skills combined [making] pizza made so much sense,” Moreno said. In 2023, the couple opened their rst location at Steves Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue. During their rst seven months, business was fairly slow, with the couple selling around 20 pizzas a day. Then, in March 2024, they got busy and began selling out. Unfortunately, the couple said they had to suddenly close with a week’s notice due to diculties with their former landlord. It was during this time that they began to develop a following on social media. As they began detailing information about when they were going to reopen and where their new location would be, their following grew exponentially. When the current Lovers Pizzeria location reopened in Monte Vista, they had a line around the building and down the sidewalk. On their rst day, Lovers Pizzeria sold out 20 minutes before they opened. What they oer The couple said the philosophy behind their menu is serving food that they also love to eat. “I think San Antonio loves food that reminds them of home,” Moreno said. “And I think that our poblano, our tres leches, even the cookies, [are] things that remind them of stu that their mom or their grandmas would make.” Lovers oers three pizza sauces—tomato, poblano Love at rst slice: patrons line the block for a bite at Lovers Pizzeria

Lovers Pizzeria uses hyperlocal ingredients to craft its pizza. ($22)

COURTESY LOVERS PIZZERIA

and vodka—fresh ingredients from Hill Country farms, pepperoni sourced from New Jersey, garlic bread and homemade desserts. Additionally, Dworak makes the naturally fermented sourdough crust fresh daily, using San Antonio spring water, our and salt. “I’m trying to crazy localize it,” Dworak said. “[To] do something that I love in the East Coast, the coal re pizza game, but bring it [here] and have it tied to San Antonio in a way. ... It’s naturally fermented local owers, sourdough pizza, [and] all of our produce—our mushrooms, our olive oil—all come from Texas.” Currently, the pizzeria can make 100 pizzas a day. Their most popular dessert is the tres leches. Moreno makes monthly tres leches avors, such as peaches and cream, fruity pebbles and horchata. What else? Since their relocation, lines form outside the door of the pizzeria almost every day they are open. Moreno said that the restaurant sells out of pizzas fairly quickly and the lines can result in a long wait to receive your order. “It almost has that feel where people are kind of just hanging out. It’s a super cool vibe, Dworak said. “People get to talk to each other, you’re just hanging out, it organically just kind of happens like that. [The experience has] been really cool to see people even lining up in the rst place.”

Couple Dusty Dworak (left) and Victoria Moreno opened the rst location of the pizzeria in 2023.

PARKS KUGLECOMMUNITY IMPACT

E. FRENCH PLACE

E. ASHBY PLACE

105 E. Ashby Place, San Antonio www.instagram.com/lovers.pizzeria

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

The majority of homes sold in the North San Antonio area were in the $400,000-$599,999 range, according to data from the San Antonio Board of Realtors. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

August 2024

August 2025

+100%

-13.33%

+23.08%

-9.09%

+13%

-13.21%

78230

78231

78232

78248

78258

78259

78260

281

78260

78258

78259

Median home sales price

1604

78248 78232

August

2024

2025

$415,000 $657,495 $330,000 $495,000 $464,450 $399,900 $560,000

$395,000 $449,500 $399,250 $499,700 $499,500 $444,500 $640,950

78230 78231 78232 78248 78258 78259 78260

78230

78231

Homes sold by price point

August 2025

$800,000+

$600,000-$799,999

Average days on market

$400,000-$599,999

-10.34%

+156.67%

+47.69%

-43.90%

-23.53%

+73.33%

+7.14%

$200,000-$399,999

<$199,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY THE SAN ANTONIO BOARD OF REALTORS • 9110 W. I10 2105931200 • WWW.SABOR.COM

78230

78231

78232

78248

78258

78259

78260

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