Wasn't there a proposal to tunnel New Braunfels under FSH? That would work I think.
Also, no offense at all to the east side or the particular area just south of 35 and Walters, but Walters is never going to become a commercial corridor. If you take Walters south (away from FSH) you're basically in a low income area for a good 2 miles before any resemblance of middle class. Wheatley Courts (very scary place) is half a mile south of 35 and Walters not to mention Walters Ave from 35 to 10 is basically lined with homes and very little commercial businesses.
From 35 to Houston Street, there's probably three small convenience stores, a few churches and that's it, the rest is homes. From Houston Street to Commerce there's probably two more stores and more churches but that's it, just more homes. From Commerce to 10 you'll have St. Phillips College and that's it, just more homes along the way.
Here's an example of what I am talking about in terms of how Walters Ave looks.
This is a little less than a mile south of 35. That's Antioch Baptist Church in the background.
Maybe they're talking about Walters becoming a commercial corridor from 35 to the Fort Sam gates, that is certainly possible although very short distance.
I think in terms of housing, great emphases needs to be made on three core areas. Government Hill, Broadway/Pearl and River North. Government Hill will be the best area to concentrate on because of it's very close location to FSH. It's access to 35, 281, 37 and 10. The fact that it's bordered by Broadway to the west, FSH to the north and east and 35 to the south means that it's its own little contained District that has the potential to not be affected by any other adjoining neighborhoods whether those affects be good or bad.
I think developing the Broadway/Pearl area that stretches from the 35/37/281 interchange north to Mulberry commercially would be a gold mine for developers.