INDEX:
Charrette Process Overview
Step One: Getting Started
The Medina River Charrette was developed through the cooperative efforts of the Friends of the Medina River, the American Institute of Architects - San Antonio, and the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This process was undertaken with the permission of the SAWS Board of Directors, who directed SAWS staff to assist in data collection and provide other technical assistance. The charrette was designed to enlist and encourage the involvement of all the major Stakeholder Groups representing such divergent interest as: former landowners, current landowners, environmentalist, agricultural experts, civic and business interests.Through the involvement of representatives from the stakeholder groups, stakeholder needs were identified, problems defined, and visions developed. One major ground rule established early on, was that the outcomes of the charrette would be workable, supportable and recognize the obligation SAWS has to rate payers and bond holders in regard to disposal/ use of the property.
Step Two: Site Visit
Once the major stakeholders were identified, representatives were invited to participate in a Saturday morning site visit which was designed to give all interested parties a chance to see key site features first hand. An unfortunate rain out of the originally scheduled visit was turned into opportunity as more than 70 participants spent the morning getting to know each other and asking questions of the various experts on archeology, agriculture, and natural resources who were called upon to share their expertise.
The river receded and the site visit was rescheduled. Although many of the Charrette participants were already familiar with the property, over 50 people gathered to visit such sites as the historic Watson - Presnall House, the Archeological dig site, and the Medina River bottom. Peggy Oppelt, daughter of former landowner Mrs. Condra, explained the history of the historic structures, Chris Power of SAWS described the discovery of Archeological artifacts at the former dam site, and Rufus Stephens a Wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, described the features of the river bottom. During one 20 minute span in the area of the Watson - Presnall house one participant identified over 20 species of birds including the rare Painted Bunting.
Step Three: The Charrette
On Saturday morning July 12th more than 80 community stakeholder representatives gathered for the all day collaborative planning workshop known as a Charrette. Among this diverse group were several resource advisors with expertise in such areas as; economic development, parks and land trust, resource conservation, wildlife, agriculture, rangeland, and horticulture.
The Charrette was facilitated by Planner and Educator Bob Ashcroft and was designed so that all the divergent interests would be heard, supportable consensus visions developed and, by the end of the day a graphic map would display the common land use vision developed by the group.
After a brief orientation to the site, major stakeholder needs were identified. The needs of the San Antonio Water Systems were presented first and were followed by former landowners, area residents, South San Antonio, and San Antonio Regional needs.
It was immediately apparent that one of the primary needs of the former and current landowners was the opportunity to purchase land back by "right of first refusal". Second and also important to this group was the preservation of water resources and the natural character of the river bottom. Returning the agriculturally productive land to the tax base, local management of resources and public access to land were also listed among others.
The south San Antonio Community needs centered around enhanced quality of life including access and appreciation of natural and cultural resources located on the Southside, improved watershed, research, education, and healthy economy. The need for a "Friedrich Park for the South Side" resounded with this group.
The greater San Antonio community echoed many of these needs pointing out that a healthy and attractive Southside is beneficial to the whole city. This group's needs also included additional parks and conservation areas which keep the river corridor as a integral system. Also the needs for sustainable agriculture, appreciation of historic and archeological resources, and wildlife preservation were identified (see listing of Stakeholder Needs).
Next the participants divided into 4 working teams of approximately 14 members each. The task was to identify and discuss problems, develop a vision compatible to the needs, and to graphically display these ideas on the site base maps. At the end of this segment of the Charrette each team's facilitator reported to the entire group the visions developed by the teams (see Team Reports). A striking amount of consensus was already becoming evident. The participants were split again into four new groups which now included resource people and observers who were ask to identify Common Elements among the work of the previous four groups. Elements that were unique to individual groups yet, promising and compatible with the identified needs were also discussed.
Common elements and some unique ideas were merged in a collective "Consensus Map" which represented the vision agreed upon by all of the more than 80 participants. Next steps, and responsible parties were identified as the team facilitators developed the final graphics.