SAN ANTONIO │ City and Metro Off-Topic Thread

[kingkirbythe....]

Is DeLorean Motors Reimagined a company with a big brand? Or just a brand?

https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/DeLorean-Motor-Reimagined-San-Antonio-EVs-16947367.php

DeLorean Motors Reimagined, which announced plans Feb. 14 to establish its headquarters in San Antonio and hire 450 engineers and managers, is currently little more than a brand.

The company incorporated in Texas on Nov. 30. The address on the filing with the Texas secretary of state’s office belongs to Houston law firm Lambright McKee.

A handful of DeLorean executives are in San Antonio putting the company together, led by CEO Joost de Vries. They’re working out of temporary offices at the downtown tech incubator Scaleworks while contractors prepare their headquarters at Port San Antonio on the Southwest Side.

Yet, the startup says it will begin producing its first all-electric version of the sleek, silver DeLorean coupe by the end of the year. DeLorean plans to reveal its vehicle at the ritzy Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance auto show in August.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Honestly, abolish the economic development agencies. They have a pretty — track record anyway, but this alone should disqualify them from holding their positions. How gullible are we as a city?? I will literally eat my shoes if DeLorean makes and sells a single electric car.

[Schertz1]

Originally Posted by Keep-SA-Lame

Honestly, abolish the economic development agencies. They have a pretty — track record anyway, but this alone should disqualify them from holding their positions. How gullible are we as a city?? I will literally eat my shoes if DeLorean makes and sells a single electric car.

Really? Instead of complaining, why not write a white paper? I am sure they, we, and mostly I can learn from what you think is not happening and should be or what is and should not be. But, most of all San Antonio will ultimately benefit.

[SproutingTowers]

Look at this list and see one common denominator … Funding. If DeLorean Motors Reimagined can’t raise large sums of capital then it will fold.

https://www.energystartups.org/top/electric-cars/

[forward looking]

Certainly automobile company startups are a huge — and need major infusions of money. There are huge risks and pitfalls. They must have considerable financial backing already. Hell just the major re-tooling of an existing auto plant costs billions. I certainly hope they would eventually produce cars. San Antonio has needed a major manufacturing infusion for a very long time. Monetarily it would be wonderful for our future and the economy here. Imagine , wouldn't it be great? I would rather wax confident.
Detroit at one time had one hundred and thirty five automobile companies in business back at the the turn of the 20th century. Who knows?
Who knows how creative and exacting the new DeLorean's engineering is? It does seem doubtful right now doesn't it? So it always goes with new inventors, there is always much doubt and little confidence. It could work. Let us hope so.
As long as it is a good dependable product, it will sell. The first model the original Delorean Automobile Co. produced was plagued by problems. Electrical,mechanical. It was not a very good, dependable car. Well designed but poorly engineered.
Remember, Henry Ford had a few failures in the beginning with his first automobiles. Henry went through the entire alphabet, one letter for each Model, until finally, came the Model T.
Optimistically, let us all hope that you will need Bar-B-Que sauce and Cole Slaw.

Originally Posted by Keep-SA-Lame

Honestly, abolish the economic development agencies. They have a pretty — track record anyway, but this alone should disqualify them from holding their positions. How gullible are we as a city?? I will literally eat my shoes if DeLorean makes and sells a single electric car.

[kingkirbythe....]

This isn't an SA project, but it does involve a SA firm. So, why not.


San Antonio's Overland Partners to design 6-mile park on Texas-Mexico border

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/...k-16948010.php?IPID=MySA-HP-CP-Spotlight

Laredo City Council and members of a consortium group selected last week Overland Partners Architects and Able City to lead design and planning behind a new 6.3-mile park on the Texas-Mexico border.

Overland Partners presented aerial renderings of the park between Laredo and Neuvo Laredo, Mexico on the Rio Grande River and the Mexican side of the Rio Bravo on February 18, according to a news release. The United States Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, U.S. Consul General for Nuevo Laredo Deanna Kim and Mexico Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma were also present.

[kingkirbythe....]

Fritos got their start in the Alamo City

C.E. Doolin’s $100 bought a fried-masa idea; success followed

https://www.expressnews.com/150years/eco...heir-start-in-the-Alamo-City-6251211.php

The tiny ad was buried near the bottom of Page 5 of the San Antonio Express classifieds on July 10, 1932:

“CORN chips business for sale, a new food product, making good money.”

Very good money, it turned out. That business would become the Fritos corn chip brand during the Great Depression, laying the foundation for a $14 billion snacking empire in the 21st century.

Frito-Lay North America Inc., a unit of PepsiCo, now is headquartered in Plano and sells snack foods around the world. But Fritos’ origins lie in San Antonio. It was here that a soccer coach named Gustavo Olguin from Oaxaca, Mexico, made chips from corn masa using a converted potato ricer.

[kingkirbythe....]

Map: San Antonio areas with and without fluoride in the water

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/san-antonio-fluoride-water-map-16944044.php

1,998,668 people ⁠— 93 percent of the population that Bexar County water utilities serve ⁠— have fluorinated water. 160,772 — or 7 percent — don't, according to the CDC’s 2021 Fluoridation Status Report.

Bexar County outperforms the state in this regard, as 27 percent of the population served by water utilities in Texas do not have fluorinated water.

[kingkirbythe....]

San Antonio’s historic Cool Crest Miniature Golf to hold spring reopening this weekend

https://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio/san...pening-this-weekend/Content?oid=28319028

Cool Crest Miniature Golf, one of the nation's oldest operating miniature golf courses, will celebrate its spring reopening March 4-5 by unveiling a new outdoor dance floor, the latest addition to its accompanying Metzger Biergarten.

The Friday, March 4 festivities will kick off with Tex-Mex tunes from Los Callejeros de San Anto on the outdoor stage from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Stone Bros mobile kitchen will serve wood-fired pizza from 5-9 p.m.

On Saturday, March 5, Cool Crest’s monthly plant and crafts market will feature locally made or grown products from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Entertainment from SA garage rockers Los #3 Dinners will begin at 6:30 p.m. Food truck So. Tex BBQ will sling barbecue from 5-10 p.m.

Named for former Cool Crest owners Harold and Maria Metzger — and built where the couple's home once stood — the site's 3,000-square-foot Biergarten features locally produced brews plus wine, pads for food trucks and live music.

The Metzger Biergarten originally opened in October of 2020, but the entire facility, located 1402 Fredericksburg Road, closes annually in mid-November for winter cleaning.

[kingkirbythe....]

Amazon plans to open a brick-and-mortar store at the Shops at La Cantera

https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Amazon-La-Cantera-store-16959872.php

Amazon is planning to open a brick-and-mortar store at the Shops at La Cantera as the e-commerce giant pushes further into physical retail.

The 4,989-square-foot location would be a 4-star store, meaning it sells electronics, toys, games, books and other items rated 4 stars and above, are top sellers or are new and popular, according to its website.

Construction is expected to begin in June and wrap up in September, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Amazon also plans to remodel space at North Star Mall for a retail outlet, though its nature is unclear. A separate state filing indicates the company anticipates starting work on a 4,548-square-foot space in April and completing it in August.

[forward looking]

Coolcrest miniature golf course , I used to love the plush surroundings of the manicured grounds of the place and it was the best I have ever seen.

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

San Antonio’s historic Cool Crest Miniature Golf to hold spring reopening this weekend

https://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio/san...pening-this-weekend/Content?oid=28319028

Cool Crest Miniature Golf, one of the nation's oldest operating miniature golf courses, will celebrate its spring reopening March 4-5 by unveiling a new outdoor dance floor, the latest addition to its accompanying Metzger Biergarten.

The Friday, March 4 festivities will kick off with Tex-Mex tunes from Los Callejeros de San Anto on the outdoor stage from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Stone Bros mobile kitchen will serve wood-fired pizza from 5-9 p.m.

On Saturday, March 5, Cool Crest’s monthly plant and crafts market will feature locally made or grown products from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Entertainment from SA garage rockers Los #3 Dinners will begin at 6:30 p.m. Food truck So. Tex BBQ will sling barbecue from 5-10 p.m.

Named for former Cool Crest owners Harold and Maria Metzger — and built where the couple's home once stood — the site's 3,000-square-foot Biergarten features locally produced brews plus wine, pads for food trucks and live music.

The Metzger Biergarten originally opened in October of 2020, but the entire facility, located 1402 Fredericksburg Road, closes annually in mid-November for winter cleaning.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Originally Posted by Schertz1

Really? Instead of complaining, why not write a white paper? I am sure they, we, and mostly I can learn from what you think is not happening and should be or what is and should not be. But, most of all San Antonio will ultimately benefit.

Well, without doxing myself, I did used to work at one of these agencies for a time. And there's no need to cover old ground, the academic research is clear. Economic development incentives are a huge waste of taxpayer resources and >99% of the time are given to companies that were going to locate here anyway. That's not an SA specific problem, it's an everywhere problem. One of the many reasons I don't work in that industry.

The DeLorean thing is a special kind of stupid though.

[kingkirbythe....]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Amazon plans to open a brick-and-mortar store at the Shops at La Cantera

https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Amazon-La-Cantera-store-16959872.php

Amazon is planning to open a brick-and-mortar store at the Shops at La Cantera as the e-commerce giant pushes further into physical retail.

The 4,989-square-foot location would be a 4-star store, meaning it sells electronics, toys, games, books and other items rated 4 stars and above, are top sellers or are new and popular, according to its website.

Construction is expected to begin in June and wrap up in September, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Amazon also plans to remodel space at North Star Mall for a retail outlet, though its nature is unclear. A separate state filing indicates the company anticipates starting work on a 4,548-square-foot space in April and completing it in August.

Amazon to close all its brick-and-mortar bookstores in U.S. and UK

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-closes-bookstore-pop-up-stores-4-star-shops/

Amazon is closing all of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as its 4-star shops and pop-up locations, as the online retail giant reworks its physical footprint.

The Seattle-based company said Wednesday that the move, which affects 66 stores in the U.S. and two in the United Kingdom, will enable it to concentrate its efforts on Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, its convenience concept called Amazon Go and its upcoming Amazon Style stores. Amazon Style, which will sell fashion and accessories, is set to open in a Southern California mall later this year.

[Schertz1]

Originally Posted by Keep-SA-Lame

Well, without doxing myself, I did used to work at one of these agencies for a time. And there's no need to cover old ground, the academic research is clear. Economic development incentives are a huge waste of taxpayer resources and >99% of the time are given to companies that were going to locate here anyway. That's not an SA specific problem, it's an everywhere problem. One of the many reasons I don't work in that industry.

The DeLorean thing is a special kind of stupid though.

Perhaps, municipal incentives for corporate relocation should be abolished. As you say, many have already decided where to move and the economic return on the incentives can be questionable. I would say there is nothing wrong with providing an incentive to a company after said company chooses to relocate. This is clearly up to the elected officials, citizens, and their valuation of the local impact. This is different than accepting packages from multiple locations prior to a decision. Unfortunately, this is the way business is conducted today. Relocation incentives are no different than routinely providing tax breaks, loopholes, and bailouts to existing companies or subsidizing agriculture. In one case taxpayers incentivize poor leadership, business models, and/or greed and in the other municipalities hope to import the problems. But, make no mistake, the problems are here to stay. They accept the risk a company will survive or remain locally long enough to see a return. Sure, we do not like our tax dollars spent in this way, but the provision of a stable expanding economy is what government, at all levels, is for.

[kingkirbythe....]

10 of San Antonio's weirdest museums and attractions

These deep-cut San Antonio attractions are typically only known to locals and veteran visitors.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainme...s-16956505.php?IPID=MySA-HP-CP-Spotlight

For those embarking on a trip to San Antonio, the unbeaten path might be the best option. You may soon be in hot pursuit of weird and unconventional museums and attractions — the kind you find tucked away at an odd corner of town, and the unique haunts only known to locals and veteran visitors.

Maybe you're a local who is trying to look at the city with a newfound exploratory spirit, and a fresh set of eyes. In an underdog metropolis like San Antonio, there is magic to be found if you devote your time to finding it. Sometimes it manifests in a volunteer-run outpost devoted to the American railroad system or a old manor lined with relics commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte.

[kingkirbythe....]

Mexican artist unveils massive statue along San Antonio River Walk

https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainme...n-Antonio-river-walk-statue-16983058.php

If you're looking for a reason to revisit downtown's River Walk Public Art Garden, a massive contribution by internationally renowned Mexican artist Pedro Reyes has just been unveiled. After some mystery surrounding the sculpture, "Stargazer (Citlali)" has arrived at the waterfront art garden.

Originally inspired by San Antonio's Tricentennial celebrations, the 16-foot-tall sculpture of a seated woman holding a star is situated in front near The Shops at Rivercenter, on the banks of the famed River Walk. The titular star, held by the volcanic woman, was carved out of marble. The term “Citlali” means “star” in Nahuatl, the indigenous language of Reyes’ hometown Mexico City.

[kingkirbythe....]

San Antonio among 'worst music cities' in recent report

https://www.expressnews.com/entertainmen...of-worst-music-cities-study-16984224.php

San Antonio ranked among the 10 worst cities in the country for music, according to a report released last month.

Clever Real Estate, a real estate platform, analyzed public 2021 data from the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and others to rank the 50 most populous metro areas in the country from the best to the worst music cities. The report examined each city's music events, venues, concert ticket affordability and more factors before listing them.

Along with Houston and Dallas, San Antonio performed poorly as a music city. Austin was dubbed "America's No. 1 live music metro" and was listed as the fourth best music city.

Nashville topped the list as the music capital of the U.S. with Indianapolis trailing at No. 2. Inexpensive concerts, several music festivals and intimate venues, were among the factors that made them the best music cities.

San Antonio was listed No. 5 for best music city for Latin music. Miami was the top city for that genre. Although the Alamo City once was known as the "heavy metal capital of the world," it did not rank in the top 5 cities for heavy metal music. Top honors for that title went to Nashville.

San Antonio ranked No. 2 for most expensive music cities, trailing behind Las Vegas, which was also listed as one of the "worst" music cities. The report said that the 10 worst cities consistently were in the bottom ranks on Google Trends across all genres, and that their residents less interested in music experiences.

Live music is lacking in the cities, and there are fewer career musicians than the average city, the study reported.

[AI0120]

Found a list of sports team market size. Out of a total of 42 markets with professional sports teams in the big 4 (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL), San Antonio ranked number 31 with 1.031M households.

Full list can be found here

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/nba-market-size-nfl-mlb-nhl-nielsen-ratings/

[forward looking]

Church's Fried Chicken originated here in San Antonio across the street from the Alamo.
A large convenience store ice house chain also began it's business here. I think it began as a U-Totem and then changed it's name to Stop-n-Go. Shamrock then bought the chain.
I believe also that San Antonio had the first large refrigeration unit west of the Mississippi. In the nineteenth century.

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Fritos got their start in the Alamo City

C.E. Doolin’s $100 bought a fried-masa idea; success followed

https://www.expressnews.com/150years/eco...heir-start-in-the-Alamo-City-6251211.php

The tiny ad was buried near the bottom of Page 5 of the San Antonio Express classifieds on July 10, 1932:

“CORN chips business for sale, a new food product, making good money.”

Very good money, it turned out. That business would become the Fritos corn chip brand during the Great Depression, laying the foundation for a $14 billion snacking empire in the 21st century.

Frito-Lay North America Inc., a unit of PepsiCo, now is headquartered in Plano and sells snack foods around the world. But Fritos’ origins lie in San Antonio. It was here that a soccer coach named Gustavo Olguin from Oaxaca, Mexico, made chips from corn masa using a converted potato ricer.

[kingkirbythe....]

Lots of fun info.