Uproar has ensued over the N. St. Mary's strip, due to ongoing traffic concerns. Concerns mainly affected by construction that began in 2019. Construction pushing back customers for business establishments along the popular street. Other concerns came from residents who live near the area and are frustrated with bar patrons taking up parking space and trashing, or even, defecating on front lawns.
Bar owners and residents have continued to bring their troubles to the City of San Antonio. With several public meetings held, searching for solutions. A traffic study was done at the beginning of April. The result of that study, bring parking permits for those that park near the St. Mary's strip.
However, the city's proposal of the Overnight Residential Parking Permit Pilot Program was just announced to the people that live and work on the strip, followed by a town hall to discuss the proposal. Initially, the proposal was set to go in front of council on September 29. But many residents and bar owners felt it was too soon without having proper input.
The Town Hall meeting was held at the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church on N. St. Mary's and dozens of people showed up to voice their opinions.
Some residents say they just heard about the Town Hall days before, which already created some animosity.
Neighbors, business owners, and city staff spoke in a microphone in front of the crowd.
One bar owner said, "these streets belong to every single person, including residents who live here," followed by cheers immediately after.
The residential parking permit proposal would be from the house 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. However, it is unclear if it would specifically be on the weekend or other days of the week.
Some neighbors expressed their frustrations that have been ongoing for years, "you have to put up from the traffic, we don't leave our houses when we come home from work."
Aaron Pena, owner of the popular bar, the Squeezebox, says this pilot program not only hurts businesses but also residents.
"If my customers can't come down here to support and patronize our establishments, we go out of business and we're not far from that already due to the construction that's been going on for three years."
As for the construction issues, city staff addressed the topic at the Town Hall. David McBeth, the city's Assistant City Engineer says due to material issues and subcontractors, there have been pushback delays in the construction of N. St. Mary's over the years. However, it's set to be finished by next summer.
But that statement was responded with surprise by the crowd.
By the end of the town hall, it was decided that there should be more solutions brought to the table. Councilman Bravo also says he will ask the city to do an economic impact study on the entire strip.
"I think a lot of people are scared and concerned, whether it's people who live in the neighborhood and are having to deal with bad actors when they get drunk sometimes or whether it's people whose lives depends on those bars," says Bravo.
Some patrons did have their own solutions, "so what are people suppose to do if city transport doesn't go after 10 or 11 pm," says Mark Smith who believes a reliable transportation city on the strip would help ease problems.
Another patron of St. Mary's, Walter Witosky had a like-minded solution, "if the city wants to get a bus and traffic people back and forth, Friday through Sunday, that would help everybody."
With more solutions supposed to be offered, Bravo said he will have to ask about pushing back the proposal again instead of presenting it in front of council on October 20.