Salado Creek Corridor Plan

• PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 
  The East site includes nine riverine miles of the Salado Creek floodplain and adjacent corridor bounded on the north by Fort Sam Houston and on the south by Roland Avenue. The eastern and western boundaries are generally WW White Road and Pecan Valley Drive/Coliseum Drive, respectively. 

• CONTEXT: 
  The Salado Creek is a unique feature in the urban fabric of San Antonio offering an unparalleled richness of natural and cultural diversity, especially in this segment. As it had for the indigenous peoples of this area, the Creek sustains an surprisingly amazingly vital ecosystem in an otherwise sterile urban area. It also forms the backdrop for a variety of human needs including residential, recreational, educational and commercial activities. 

• PROBLEM: 
  The Salado Creek Corridor focuses on the middle reaches of the Creek which has over the years suffered from and been conserved by benign neglect. The parks and vacant parcels along the creek have alternately been used as trash dumps, havens for criminal activities, or left abandoned. The Creek has experienced significant environmental damage from upstream abuses. The resultin impact along the Creek is, on one hand, particularly inviting, with examples of a preserved and thriving natural environment, and on the other hand, is gut-wrenching because of negative human habits and environmental degradation. 
• VISION: 
  To balance the conservation, enhancement, development and redevelopment of the Salado Creek environment as well as the businesses and neighborhoods in a mutually beneficial partnership between the public and private sectors is our vision. We also want to preserve neighborhood integrity while recognizing recreation, economic and societal needs of the region. Further, we wish to strategically address appropriate segments of the creek, as well as its tributaries and flood plain, for areas to be "healed" through bioremediation techniques and applying sensitive stormwater management. 
• APPROACH: 
  The Team East approach for appropriate treatment of the Salado Creek Corridor revolves around the fundamental notion that conservation along with economically and socially viable development needs to embrace the creek to remain a healthy and sustainable system over time. Team East explores innovative approaches for stormwater management, mixed use development, neighborhood enhancement, and opportunities to provide linkages by connecting the northern extent of the site with the southern, by converting underutilized or vacant lots and dead-end streets into a public parkway along the Salado. 

• Team East will conceptually address land use and pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular throughways for the Salado Creek Corridor. Further, appropriate segments of the creek will be strategically identified as areas suitable for natural "healing", constructed stormwater wetlands, and in-fill development for single and mixed uses. 
  
  
  

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• Existing conditions (Site analysis) 

• Natural Environment 
• Physical Characteristics: 
• Land form 
• Flood plains (10,100, 500) (map) 
• Hazards 
• Landfills/illegal dumping 
• Flooding 
• Existing stormwater problems (significant erosion zones and hottspots") 
• Assets 
• Integral habitats 
• Natural seeps and springs 
• Healthy wetlands 
• Bountiful and varied wildlife 
• Built Environment 
• Land Use 
• Vacant developments 
• Publicly owned land 
• Existing open space 
• Transportation 
• Rights-of-way/Easements 
• Circulation, nodes 
• Land use (residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, open space) 

Human environment 

• Housing 
• Neighborhood/community associations 
• Demographics 
• Economy 

Proposed design solutions 

• General planning considerations 
• Proposed alignment for Salado Creek Parkway 
• Conceptual Corridor map/plan 

Enhancement areas and designs 

• Designed wetlands 
• Mixed use subdivision design 

Identify next steps 

• Forge partnerships and begin collaboration with the city, neighborhoods and businesses. 
• Encourage rapid implementation of strategic elements. 
• Create a Salado Creek Planning Authority to facilitate communication between the public and private stakeholders, monitor land uses in the water shed, and manage the 500 year flood plain in an ecologically and economically sensitive manner. 

Identify obstacles to implementation and possible solutions 

• Disjointed vision for the corridor 
• Mixed ownership 
• Funding and authority 

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SITE ANALYSIS 

The Natural Environment 

• Natural History: 
• The site lies at the crossroads of several biological regions including the Blackland Prairies, South Texas Plains and the Edwards Plateau. The natural resources of each biological region intermingle here creating a truly unique ecological community. 
• Archeological and historical sites are poorly identified. Agricultural settlement probably began after Spanish land grants and evolved into the modern day industrial and residential development which exists now. 
• Landform: 
• Generally, the site enjoys gently rolling hills bisected with riparian features. Land adjacent to the creek varies from gradual banks to steep bluffs along a very broad floodplain. The area soils are high in clay with gravels intermingled. Some limestone and old sedimented bluff formations are exposed along the creek. 
• Ecosystems: 
• There are approximately 420 acres of riparian woodland within the project area. Predominant species include cedar elm, hackberry, black willow, cottonwood, box elder, cedar elm, and pecan. In addition to the woodland species, forbs, composites and grasses also are important species. 
• The Creek: 
• The creek itself provides a variety of small, healthy ecosystems which support a variety of wildlife. There is a great deal of channel variety in direction, depth and materials. Some segments of the creek bottom have broad, in-channel gravel bars and islands, while others have inaccessible clay shelves. Some segments support thick creekside overhanging understory vegetation and some are predominately unshaded. 
• Water flows at different rates and levels through the creek. Significant seeps and springs flow in Salado Creek even in unusually dry periods. This creates natural wetlands and a critical base flow in the project area. Numerous significant wetlands have been identified along the creek. 

Many signs of a healthy ecosystem exist within the project area. 

• There is a tremendous variety of flora. Bountiful animal life is also supported by the creek and its immediate environs. Deer, elk, kingfishers, hawks, owls, ducks, crayfish, and turtles are just some of the species observed during site visits. 
• Environmental Hazards: 
• The creek has been subject to egregious treatment is some areas and benign neglect in others. Housing units demolished to make room for HemisFair in downtown San Antonio was landfilled within the project site. Illegal dumps and flood debris plague stretches of the creek. 
• The Creek is subject to runoff from industrial and other activities which pose a threat to water quality. 
• Other areas have been "improved" such that natural vegetative "erosion control features" have been obliterated, increasing flooding damage. 
• Environmental Assets: 
• The biggest environmental asset includes the vast stretches of "unimporved" creek channel and an abundance of vacant or "underdeveloped" land. 

The Built Environment 

• Publicly owned land: 
• Vast tracts of parkland and other public lands are found in the project area. These provide great opportunities for establishing a cohesive approach to managing the balance of development and conservation in the Salado Creek Corridor. 
• This land includes utility easements and rights-of-way, parks, and schools. 
• Existing open space: 
• Much of the open space is public land; however, open space can also be found on undeveloped tracts as well as large residential and industrial lots in the area. Agricultural uses in the area provide open space as well. 
• Transportation: 
• Streets in the area generally provide very poor connections within and between neighborhoods. Nor do they link neighborhoods to the creek. Very few pedestrian ways exist in the area, although paths along the creek and through neighborhoods indicate a pattern for pedestrian circulation. Many of the streets are substandard - having no curbs, no drainage swales and substandard widths. 
• Different modes of transportation currently used in the area include equestrian, pedestrian and vehicular. 
• Wide CPS easements travel through the project area, presenting opportunities for developing hike/bike trails and better linkages between neighborhoods and the creek corridor. 
• Land Use: 
• Team East identified existing land use on a large map. Generally, the area supports a variety of land uses ranging from industrial to agricultural. A large RV park abuts the creek. Dwellings are predominantly single family, but multifamily uses are supported also. As noted earlier, there are a number of public parks in the area. The existing blend of these different uses indicates the area's ability to support a variety of land uses in the future. 
• Public Works: 
• In the Pecan Valley area, exposed sewer lines and possible exfiltration problems exist. Due to poor drainage conveyance from residential areas to the creek and due to homes be constructed in the floodplain, many homes are subject to frequent flooding. 

The Human Environment 

• Economy: 
• The economic base within the project area is light to heavy industrial. Some warehousing exists. Other economic activity includes agriculture. 
• Opportunities for development of small neighborhood appropriate commercial activity exist. The area is also ideal for increased agricultural industrial development. 

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CORRIDOR GOALS: 

• Identify and develop linkages which serve to provide viable, multi-functional corridors for natural and cultural purposes alike; especially for plant and animal communities, for pedestrian and vehicular parkways, and for facilitating a stronger sense of community, within and between neighborhoods. 
• Preserve and enhance contiguous ecologically sensitive areas. 
• Identify open space corridors within and between neighborhoods. 
• Use existing built and unbuilt roadways, rights-of-way and utility easements to the greatest extent possible to develop a safe and convenient park road which integrates pedestrian, cycling and vehicular traffic. 
• Align the park road such that neighborhood privacy and security needs are balanced with regional needs for scenic byways and thoroughfares. 
• Locate access points (and restrict them) such that environmentally sensitive areas are protected, neighborhood security is enhanced and efficient transportation is facilitated. 

Preserve the unique, rare and/or significant features of the natural environment and cultural resources. 

• Identify significant wetlands and ensure that they are incorporated into the overall plan for the corridor and preserved or augmented as required for a healthy ecosystem. 
• Retain the creek channel, its tributaries, and flood plain in the natural condition as mauch as possible. 
• Create a planning and implementation process in the corridor as a way to help unify neighborhoods and to develop a philosophy concerning the interdependency of the built and nonbuilt environment (stewardship vs control/maintenance) 
• Partner with elementary, middle and high schools (as well as other youth groups) in the area to monitor water quality, implement elements of the corridor plan and provide outdoor and applied educational opportunities for students. 
• Identify manmade and naturally occuring environmental hazards. 
• Inventory and preserve significant historical and cultural resources in the area. 

Preserve, protect and enhance the integrity, economic viability and quality of life in all existing and planned neighborhoods. 

• Develop housing and commercial opportunities which are appropriate to the market, sensitive to the creek in both design and construction, and are compatible with neighborhood plans and sensibilities. 
• Orient housing, streets, buildings, pathways and recreational facilities such that security and stewardship is enhanced. 
• Encourage site design which incorporates water and wildlife conservation, rainharvesting, stormwater detention/retention facilities, and energy efficient features. 
• Include sites for community centers which help establish a sense of place and provide a focal point for community activity. 
• Plan for a balanced mix of commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional and residential activities. 
• Design recreational, common areas to encourage enough recreational and community activity so that illegal dumping, crime and other negative activities are minimized. 
• Relocate existing homes currently in the flood plain to strategic redevelopment areas. 
• Balance opportunity for economic development and increased property values with neighborhood desire for stability and growth. 

Develop and maintain a diversified system of open space which provides opportunities for developed neighborhood parks, passive recreation and regional wild life spaces. 

• Enhance existing parks and create new parks and recreation opportunities in environmentally disturbed areas. 
• Locate access points and operations to optimize both circulation and security while minimizing negative impacts to adjacent neighborhoods. 
• Identify areas appropriate for active recreation and those appropriate for passive recreation. 

PROPOSED DESIGN SOLUTIONS 

Salado Creek Corridor: 

A proposed Salado Creek Park Road generally following existing rights-of-way would serve as a unifying element to connect open space, to connect neighborhoods in the project area and to connect the corridor with the rest of the region. The Parkway provides an opportunity for people to experience the Creek in a variety of ways - on foot, via automobile or on horseback. Neighbors of the creek and those who visit from a distance are more likely to embrace the creek after having the opportunity to see it in its natural condition. That embrace is likely to result in a greater desire to protect the wilderness and protect the neighborhoods for the long-term. 

Segments of the parkway should be limited access to guard the privacy and quiet nature of existing neighborhoods while providing some access during appropriate days and times. Limited access will also protect sensitive environmental areas from overexposure and during breeding seasons when wildlife habitat needs to be protected. 



Conceptual land use 

• The area is also suitable for mixed uses. The issue is not so much whether a property develops as industrial, commercial or residential, but rather whether the developmet is designed with the integrity of the creek as the fundamental consideration. Performance standards would be the preferable criteria for development in this sensitive area, but until city land use regulations are modified to establish site specific performance standards, a comprehensive rezoning is suggested. 
• Constructed wetlands 

Willow Wood site: 

• Improves the fabric of the neighborhood by building additional single family housing, multi-family, and zero lot line units; adds a theme restaurant and post office as infill; and creates a gateway to the Salado Creek. 

Wheatley Heights: 

• Improves the fabric of the neighborhood by building additional single family housing units; and providing a complete public park along Salado Creek which links J-Street Park with Martin Luther King Park. 

MLK Street Park: 

• Improvements through active and passive recreational site enhancements and outdoor educational school facilities. 

Commercial Agricultural Site: 

• Proposed to link existing warehouse facilities with large roof areas for rainharvesting and on-site grey water reuse as a resource for community and commercial gardens and experimental community rehabilitation centers for persons who would benefit from adjunct therapies like hippo-therapy and horticultual therapy. 

Prototypical designs: