Assignment 1: Site Analysis

ARCH 305 Site Analysis

Issues to consider include the following:

-Demographics of adjacent neighborhoods

·         100% urban population, very dense

·         Median income is almost 2x lower than the state average with a much higher percentage below the poverty line as well

·         An average of about 3 people per household

·         Very large Hispanic population

Source: http://www.city-data.com/zips/78204.html

            http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Blue-Star-San-Antonio-TX.html

-Climate

·         Hot, with the warmest months being from June through September (over 90°F on average)

·         Mainly dry with the wettest months being May, June, and October (more than 4 inches on average)

·         Annual high temperature 79.8°F

·         Annual low temperature 57.6°F

·         Average temperature 68.7° F

Source: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/san-antonio/texas/united-states/ustx1200

-Natural Topography (including the San Antonio River)

·         Mainly flat, urban environment

·         San Antonio River directly to east of site, offers natural grassy area

·         San Pedro Creek is next closest waterway

-Historic buildings (eg. Pioneer Flour Mill)

·         Pioneer Flour Mill

·         Blue Star Brewing Company

·         King William Historic District

·         Steves Homestead Museum

·         10 minutes from the Alamo

-Public attractions (eg. Blue Star Museum)

·         Commanders House Park

·         Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum

·         Jump Start Performance Company and Gallery

·         7 minutes from the Alamodome

·         10 minutes from downtown and the Riverwalk

·         20 minutes from Six Flags amusement park

-Composition of the urban fabric (eg. houses, apartment complexes, retail, etc.)

·         Largely residential to the southwest

·         Highway and industry to the south/southeast (Habitat for Humanity, Bohls Bearing, Desks Galore, Recycling Center)

·         San Antonio River and residential to the east

·         To the north mainly commercial and historical (Blue Star Museum, Blue Star Brewing Co., spas, restaurants, architecture and engineering firms) with an apartment complex to the direct northwest of Site 1

·         To the west is a mix of residential, commercial, and open spaces

·         Several schools in the nearby area

-Transportation (eg. street, highways, railway)

·         I-35, I-10, and Hwy 90 nearby

·         Hwy 536 and railway intersects site

·         Hwy 37/281 nearby

-Additional?

·         20 minutes from UTSA main campus