🌱 Patch AM: How a $15M Main Plaza makeover could change downtown life

Friday September 4th Patch AM

Friday September 4th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings San Antonio! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

How a $15M Main Plaza makeover could change downtown life

Will Spurs money spare San Antonio taxpayers from higher property taxes?

What 40 new biotech jobs mean for San Antonio's future

Also on today's calendar: Volunteer Day for Marine Cpl Johnathan Jaskolka and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Friday: Sunshine and very warm, with a high of 97 and low of 78 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

Saturday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 93, low: 76.

Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 98 and low of 78 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City board approves $15M makeover of San Antonio's Main Plaza (star-telegram.com) — San Antonio's Main Plaza is set for a $15 million transformation, adding a pavilion, stage, café space, improved accessibility, and new trees right in the heart of downtown. Backed by city funding and the Main Plaza Conservancy, the project aims to draw more events and everyday visitors while supporting broader efforts to revitalize downtown near San Fernando Cathedral and City Hall.

2. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones says San Antonio Spurs should pay for Hemisfair infrastructure upgrades (sacurrent.com) — San Antonio leaders are weighing how much of a 2027 bond package should fund Hemisfair infrastructure tied to a new Spurs arena, and whether that means higher property taxes. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones wants Spurs ownership to pay more, arguing bond money is needed for basics like sidewalks, roads, and parks while council members remain split on tax increases.

3. San Antonio chosen as site for crucial New World screwworm research as infection spreads in Texas (ksat.com) — San Antonio's Texas Biomedical Research Institute has been chosen as the hub for crucial New World screwworm research, bringing about 40 new jobs to the city. Scientists will use high-level containment labs to develop sterile flies and other technologies to protect Texas livestock, wildlife, pets, and the broader agricultural economy from this destructive parasite.

4. San Antonio Food Bank helps SNAP recipients replace food lost during storms (kens5.com) — San Antonio residents who lost food during last week's power outages can get SNAP benefits replenished with help from state staff stationed at the San Antonio Food Bank. The food bank is also seeing thousands more families seeking groceries and meals, and is asking locals to register online for distributions, donate money or protein items, and volunteer to meet the surge in need.

5. Hurricanes that hit San Antonio without hitting San Antonio (foxsanantonio.com) — San Antonio's biggest hurricane dangers often come from distant storms that send huge amounts of moisture our way, triggering catastrophic inland flooding rather than coastal-style wind damage. By revisiting events like the 1998 floods and Hurricane Beulah, meteorologists explain why residents should watch rainfall patterns and fronts, not just the forecast cone, when tropical systems threaten Texas.

📸 Around San Antonio

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in San Antonio

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Volunteer Day for Marine Cpl Johnathan Jaskolka →

649 Co Rd 375, San Antonio

9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sewing Class →

Collins Garden Branch Library, 200 N Park Blvd, San Antonio

10:29 am

Medicina Alternativa →

Collins Garden Branch Library, 200 N Park Blvd, San Antonio

12:00 pm

Rainbo Art Exhibit

Encino Library

Vinyl Record Show of San Antonio, TX / Schertz, TX →

Schertz Civic Center 1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz, TX 78154

8:00 am

Fitness in the Park: Yoga

Encino Library

10:10 am

Dungeons & Dragons

Encino Library

12:00 pm

LitMinds Book Club at Gemini Ink →

Gemini Ink 1111 Navarro St San Antonio, Texas 78205

6:30 pm

Read Like a Writer with Bestselling Author Laura Castoro →

zoom

6:30 am

Family Story Time →

Collins Garden Branch Library, 200 N Park Blvd, San Antonio

10:30 am

Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience →

Shops at Rivercenter, 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio

10:00 am

Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City →

Shops at Rivercenter 849 East Commerce Street San Antonio, Texas 78205

10:00 am

📣 San Antonio Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making San Antonio PatchAM possible:

Mowing Services by Joe — (210) 391-7300

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

PLEASE HELP!!!!

MY POODLE WENT MISSING SOME TIME LAST NIGHT EITHER NEAR GOLIAD/MILITARY OR HIGHLANDS/NEW BRAUNFELS...I NEED HIM BACK! HIS NAME IS POODALEY AND HE IS… (Nextdoor Highland Park)

This adorable dog followed my son home from Southside Lions Park.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have a collar. If you happen to know who it belongs to, please share this post. The dog is currently hanging out on the… (Nextdoor Highland Hills I)

TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for American Airlines Gate Agent in San Antonio. Apply here.

Aerotek posted a job opening for Machine Operator in San Antonio. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near San Antonio here.

Ok San Antonio! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)

Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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