San Antonio celebrates local policy win with Complete Streets Update
SEPT.19, 2024 UPDATE: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! COMPLETE STREETS POLICY UPDATE IS APPROVED
AARP San Antonio is excited to share a big advocacy win for the community! On Sept. 19, the San Antonio City Council adopted an updated Complete Streets Policy and the Vision Zero Action Plan as part of its FY 2025 budget. Associate State Director for Outreach and Advocacy Ismael Herrera represented AARP in both stakeholder groups to advocate for safer, more accessible streets for people of all ages.
AARP San Antonio has been a proponent of Complete Streets since the city's original policy adoption in 2011. As an active, long-term member of the San Antonio Complete Streets Coalition, AARP worked collaboratively to achieve the adoption of the original policy. After 13 years, the Coalition sought and achieved approval of the updated policy to address new needs, add performance measures, and focus on prioritizing equity.
The new update strengthens and broadens the existing Complete Streets policy to respond to the transportation needs of San Antonians of all ages, including those of the city's 400,000 older adults. A Complete Streets approach takes into account alternative transportation, like walking, biking and transit, and creates a safe space for older and young pedestrians. Its focus on pedestrians, cyclists and others can save lives – an important factor since older San Antonians are overrepresented in pedestrian fatalities caused by vehicles.
SEPT. 1, 2024 UPDATE: SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON UPDATED COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
On Sept. 19, San Antonio City Council members will vote on updating their Complete Streets policy, adopted in 2011. Older adults can benefit from a Complete Streets approach because safe and accessible streets support their independence, provide access to needed services, and offer opportunities to avoid social isolation. Complete Streets is a common sense solution that can benefit anyone who walks, bikes, uses a wheelchair, uses public transportation, and drives.
Please consider emailing your City of San Antonio councilperson at the email below to voice your support for an updated Complete Streets policy.
Mayor: Ron Nirenberg | Ron.Nirenberg@sanantonio.gov
District 1: Sukh Kaur | Council.District1@sanantonio.gov
District 2: Jalen McKee Rodriguez | Council.District2@sanantonio.gov
District 3: Phyllis Viagran | Council.District3@sanantonio.gov
District 4: Adriana Rocha Garcia | Council.District4@sanantonio.gov
District 5: Teri Castillo | Council.District5@sanantonio.gov
District 6: Melissa Cabello Havrda | Council.District6@sanantonio.gov
District 7: Marina Alderete Gavito | Council.District7@sanantonio.gov
District 8: Manny Peláez | Council.District8@sanantonio.gov
District 9: John Courage | Council.District9@sanantonio.gov
District 10: Marc Whyte | Council.District10@sanantonio.gov
MAY 2024
AARP SAN ANTONIO ADVOCATES FOR COMPLETE STREETS POLICY UPDATE
Ismael Herrera, AARP San Antonio associate state director for outreach and advocacy, recently spoke before the San Antonio City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He voiced support for a stronger, more comprehensive Complete Streets policy that would address the transportation needs of San Antonians of all ages. In particular, Herrera emphasized the unique transportation needs of San Antonio's 400,000 older adults, and cited the various benefits that Complete Streets can provide.
Herrera told committee members that building infrastructure with alternative transportation in mind, like walking, biking and transit, creates a safe space for older and young pedestrians. A street design, like Complete Streets, that focuses on pedestrians, cyclists and others, could save lives – an important point since older San Antonians are overrepresented in pedestrian fatalities caused by vehicles.
The Complete Streets concept also supports aging-in-place. An AARP survey found most older adults want to age in place in their homes and communities. Safe and accessible streets support an older adult’s independence, their ability to be physically active, and their access to critical services, like grocery stores and healthcare facilities, as well as social or recreational activities.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously to refer the proposed Complete Streets updates to the full City Council on August 8, after approval by the Planning Commission.
AARP San Antonio has been a proponent of Complete Streets since the city's original policy adoption in 2011. As a active, long-term member of the San Antonio Complete Streets Coalition, AARP worked collaboratively to achieve the adoption of the original policy. After 13 years, the Coalition seeks an updated policy to address new needs, add performance measures, and focus on prioritizing equity.
