What does downtown San Antonio need? (Houston, Dallas: condos, good hotel, luxury)

[supfromthesite]

Never done it

[yadigggski]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

Not sure how much paddling you do, but if SA had a scene like the Austin area there would be zero wet suits and even less pfds.

I'm pretty sure you can do it now (at least in the Southtown area) but it's definitely not as accessible/cheap as it is in Austin. Don't need a wetsuit either. It would be cool to have a similar water culture here but idk how possible it is. The Colorado seems a little bit cleaner than the SA river (at least around downtown). That sandbar thing they have going in Austin is kinda cool too.

I think they Greyhound station should go on the West side over by the VIA terminal. Honestly that huge garage on St Marys should go too lol. Both spots are prime real estate.

[supfromthesite]

What happens if you fall in? Is there a doctor on site? I can’t imagine paddle boarding on the river. I get that it’s probably hard to fall in but still.

[yadigggski]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

What happens if you fall in? Is there a doctor on site? I can’t imagine paddle boarding on the river. I get that it’s probably hard to fall in but still.

The water down in that area probably isn't thaaaaaat bad. I mean, Steve-O did a backflip off the bridge by Rivercenter at one point and he was fine.

Apparently Town Lake water is pretty gross and I fell off paddle boarding there one time lol.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by yadigggski

I'm pretty sure you can do it now (at least in the Southtown area) but it's definitely not as accessible/cheap as it is in Austin. Don't need a wetsuit either. It would be cool to have a similar water culture here but idk how possible it is. The Colorado seems a little bit cleaner than the SA river (at least around downtown). That sandbar thing they have going in Austin is kinda cool too.

I think they Greyhound station should go on the West side over by the VIA terminal. Honestly that huge garage on St Marys should go too lol. Both spots are prime real estate.

You can paddle in Southtown. It’s like a1.3 mile total distance compared to a ten mile out and bike at town lake. The paddle board culture is so new that it may take a bit minute to hit SA. It’s not a “keep San Antonio lane” comment by any means, it just would be nice to have an option near the city compared to the long drive. I feel like there could be a space on the south side to do it and it could even bring a great vibe down there. Get a paddle board outfitter, coffee shop, brewery, and you’d snag a lot of the active local folks. The mission reach trail is already there so you the runners and cyclists already.

As far as the bus thing, I don’t like the idea of the west side because it can already get congested. As a social worker, I’ve seen many services (Catholic charities and Travis park church) be able to support the “undesirables” (as someone else called them) from that location. With it being central it’s easy to get in and out of

Originally Posted by yadigggski

The water down in that area probably isn't thaaaaaat bad. I mean, Steve-O did a backflip off the bridge by Rivercenter at one point and he was fine.

Apparently Town Lake water is pretty gross and I fell off paddle boarding there one time lol.

Town lake is gross looking, but the growth is natural and actually good for the water. https://www.austintexas.gov/article/...lady-bird-lake

I just started paddling last summer and thankfully haven’t fallen in. I’ve taken it slowly in standing up and managing the psi of my board. It takes practice but if you get things going it’s one of the nicest outdoorsy things to do in Austin. Hit town lake around noon and you can get lots of good paddling in. I’d like to try out Boerne lake, but it’s such a trek, even if I’m staying in town.

[RadiantBaby]

Downtown needs better hotels.

Not just low-grade Hyatt and Hilton, but Ritz and Four Seasons.

We attract tourists... Why not attract a higher caliber of tourist.

[yadigggski]

Originally Posted by RadiantBaby

Downtown needs better hotels.

Not just low-grade Hyatt and Hilton, but Ritz and Four Seasons.

We attract tourists... Why not attract a higher caliber of tourist.

Agree. Would love to see Ritz/FS or something like an EDITION or W.

There's been stuff floating around about a Dream hotel for a while and then the W has been in limbo for years. The old Wyndham is converting to an Intercontinental but that's more on the Grand Hyatt/Westin tier I guess.

The Thompson and Kimpton that's almost done are good adds to downtown though.

[RadiantBaby]

Originally Posted by yadigggski

Agree. Would love to see Ritz/FS or something like an EDITION or W.

There's been stuff floating around about a Dream hotel for a while and then the W has been in limbo for years. The old Wyndham is converting to an Intercontinental but that's more on the Grand Hyatt/Westin tier I guess.

The Thompson and Kimpton that's almost done are good adds to downtown though.

Thompson is kinda small for what it is and it's neither luxurious or has good service.

Kimpton is a step in the right direction.

Everyone raves about Emma at Pearl, but I've always thought it was terribly overrated (and ridiculously overpriced for what you get).

[StealthRabbit]

More livable and more true culture (as in more culture neighborhood districts, thus making it more attractive to higher end visitors and thus more conventions / high end employers.

SA has a very unique opportunity to differentiate itself from the other major TX cities and reap huge benefits for the city and it's community (and economy).

There are plenty of desirable places within a couple hours, and SA could exploit their proximity to enhance the desirability of SA. More diversified arts / cultural presentations . immersion experiences... something totally different than Houston, Austin or DFW.

Take what's good and enhance it (genuinely, not cheaply)

[RadiantBaby]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

More livable and more true culture (as in more culture neighborhood districts, thus making it more attractive to higher end visitors and thus more conventions / high end employers.

SA has a very unique opportunity to differentiate itself from the other major TX cities and reap huge benefits for the city and it's community (and economy).

There are plenty of desirable places within a couple hours, and SA could exploit their proximity to enhance the desirability of SA. More diversified arts / cultural presentations . immersion experiences... something totally different than Houston, Austin or DFW.

Take what's good and enhance it (genuinely, not cheaply)

A lot of great points here.

San Antonio can't seem to consistently support the arts, as we've already lost a symphony and one of the oldest community theaters in America can currently survive (San Pedro Playhouse).

The Spurs, however, they'll spend money on. Go figure.

True multiculturalism is a problem here. We lost out on true diversity like Houston and Dallas have.