SAHA Votes Tomorrow to Authorize Demolition of Alazan Courts
Act now to make your voice for preservation heard! Please sign up and leave public comment and voice no to the demolition application (agenda item #12). You can sign up to speak before 1PM Thursday., Nov. 5th, at the following link :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU4m1A2gy3DQI8Qdnk0VnZmSJKFm4o627Ole1TL43ZSLwdeA/viewform
The San Antonio Housing Authority Board will vote for agenda item #12
Consideration and approval regarding Resolution 6089, authorizing the submission of a disposition and demolition application to HUD for the site known as Alazan Courts (AMPTX006000001); the transfer or sale and long-term lease of such property and its improvements; and the execution of documents necessary to consummate such actions; and other matters in connection therewith Page 3 of 164 DocuSign Envelope ID: B9A026F4-0A3E-40EF-B729-7A462A893DB0 (Timothy E. Alcott, Chief Legal and Real Estate Officer, Lorraine Robles, Director of Development Services and Neighborhood Revitalization)
The Conservation Society has written to SAHA leaders to offer assistance in finding a redevelopment solution that would preserve the rich community heritage represented by these historic buildings. Demolition need not be the only option. Read our letters.
Alazan-Apache Courts one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2020.
On September 24, 2020, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named San Antonio’s Alazan-Apache Courts among America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The Westside Preservation Alliance and Esperanza Peace and Justice Center submitted the nomination.
Although the Alazan-Apache Courts provide the San Antonio community with affordable housing and represent a part of Mexican American history, the San Antonio Housing Authority is planning to demolish these historic structures.
Opened in 1940-41, the Alazan-Apache Courts—aka Los Courts—is the oldest and largest extant public housing complex in San Antonio. Located in the city’s predominately Mexican American Westside, and conceived at a time when housing, schools, and public facilities were legally segregated, Los Courts have provided affordable housing for San Antonio’s working poor. Rehabilitation of the Alazan-Apache Courts would preserve important architectural history, cultural history, and affordable housing. Read more HERE.
To show your support for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Alazan-Apache Courts, please visit the National Trust’s advocacy action page to Submit a Letter of Support!
Katherine Malone-France, chief preservation officer at the National Trust, had this to say,
“The Alazan-Apache Courts demonstrate that historic preservation can provide solutions for the challenge of affordable housing, while also supporting community history and identity. Particularly during this time of economic crisis, the preservation of historic buildings that provide affordable housing—and the communities that call those places home—should be a priority not only for San Antonio, but for cities around the country.”
