Opportunity Home selects Master Planner to Revitalize Alazan Courts
October 8, 2021
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Taking steps to revitalize San Antonio’s oldest public housing community, the Opportunity Home San Antonio (Opportunity Home) Board of Commissioners unanimously approved contracting Able City, LLC, on Oct. 7 as the master planner to redevelop Alazan Courts located in the heart of the historic West Side.
Able City, with offices in San Antonio, was selected as the best qualified from three other firms for the contract after a four month process, which began on June 8 with community input from various community leaders from the West Side, including District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo. The firm’s selection was based on master planning firm and team qualification, capacity, financial capability and cost proposal criterias.
The redevelopment of Alazan Courts is a commitment to be responsive to the needs of the residents, neighborhood and surrounding community including building higher quality housing. Renovations will be conducted in multiple phases to allow residents to remain residing in their neighborhood with little disruption.
“New beginnings are on the horizon for Alazan Courts and the historic West Side community,” said Ed Hinojosa, Jr., Opportunity Home President and CEO. “Our approach to transform the Alazan Courts is one that takes into account robust resident and community engagement and we are confident Able City will handle this project with the delicacy it needs to honor the past and plan for the future.”
This week, Opportunity Home submitted a request for $35 million for infrastructure improvements as part of the City of San Antonio’s 2022 general obligation bond to help partially fund the redevelopment. The total cost of the redevelopment is estimated to be more than $100 million.
The 501-unit Alazan Courts were built in 1939 and serve as the oldest public housing community in San Antonio.