Tagged: Southside

The city has begun a major "complete streets" project on Villaret Boulevard, which spans east and west on the city's Southside.

Once completed, the $7 million project will double the width of Villaret Boulevard the length of Palo Alto College, a drainage system will be installed to prevent flooding in future storms, and there will be lighting, curbs, sidewalks, and bike lanes.

These improvements are needed to  keep up with continued growth of Palo Alto, as well as housing and industry locating in that part of town.

Underneath heavily-traveled Interstate 35 at Theo and Malone, in an unexpected place for art, six spherical chandeliers bathe the ground, concrete columns and underside of the bridge with rich, vibrant color and transform an otherwise industrial thoroughfare into an enjoyable space for pedestrians and drivers.

Ballroom Luminoso is the first public art project to be completed under the new bond program approved by voters in 2012.

The Brooks Development Authority board voted to enter into contract negotiations for its next chief executive officer, but leaders are not ready to divulge his or her identity.

Manny Pelaez, chairman of the Brooks Development Authority, said the board interviewed 402 viable candidates out of the 6,000 applicants.

Last week the field of applicants for the next CEO of Brooks was narrowed to only five, and Wednesday the board chose one to take Brooks into the future.

Five schools in the San Antonio ISD are being outfitted with opportunities for the community to exercise and get healthy. The latest project, at Harris Middle School, has a three week deadline.

The outdoor community basketball court at Harris must be finished by March 18, which is the end date for federal stimulus money designated to promote health in neighborhoods.

The total cost of the basketball court project is just over $93,000.