|
Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 06:21 PM CST
|
( - promoted by Matt Glazer)
In an address before about 900 people at the Marriott Rivercenter Mayor Phil Hardberger delivered his final State of the City address titled "Closing the Circle." In it he highlighted some of the achievements accomplished over his four year term of office but more importantly addressed several initiatives and ventures to help sustain and grow the city of San Antonio. Of significance was the announcement of "Mission Verde", a plan for providing a sustainable energy infrastructure focused on distributed, renewable energy. Harberger also announced the creation of a multi-tech venture capital fund designed to help foster new technologies, new companies, and new jobs. |
|
|
| Mission Verde involves a partnership between CPS and the City to help build a smart, multidirectional grid to allow energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind to be stored until needed and then distributed in an optimal manner. It is a part of an overall plan outlined by CPS and announced recently. Hardberger's goal is to make San Antonio a flagship Third Industrial Revolution city, as defined by noted economist Jeremy Rifkin.
The multi-tech venture capital fund is the culmination of work started by Hardberger last summer when he commissioned a funding building team to report on the feasibility of a fund designed to help foster new biotechnology and high technology in San Antonio. The recommendation of the team was to create a regional fund based in San Antonio and capitalized at $100 million. It would be managed by Brooke Private Equity Advisors based in Boston.
Hardberger also called out the need to halt the decline in San Antonio's tree canopy and implement a plan to plant 250,000 trees over the next five years. This would definitely help improve the green space of San Antonio and dovetail with a sustainable energy approach to make San Antonio a more environmental stable city.
He also mentioned the recently completed study of a multi-modal transportation system by a task force convened jointly by he and Judge Nelson Wolff. Some of the recommendations include the development of a light rail and commuter rail system within Bexar County. Funding of this would be through an increase in the county's sales tax and potential increases in vehicle registrations. Recently State Rep. Mike Villarreal held a series of community town halls focused on these issues. There is a great opportunity to see synergy between our city and county officials and our state representatives to help develop this system.
Hardberger has proven to be an outstanding mayor for San Antonio during some turbulent times when confidence in City Hall had started to decline in light of ethics issues and indictments for bribery by a couple of council members. His fight to change the city's restrictive term limits and passage of a $550 million bond issue has help set the stage for a stronger and more visionary city. While he will not be able to benefit from the extension in limits his mark will definitely be seen in many ways across the city. |
|
| Connect With BOR |
Your source for Texas politics.
On Facebook: BOR
On Twitter: @BOR
On the Go: Mobile App
|
| Upcoming BOR Events |
"Do I Look Illegal?"
Arizona GOP Debate Watch
Wednesday, February 22
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Angie's Restaurant
1307 E. 7th Street
RSVP on Facebook
Save The Date:
Super Tuesday Super Watch Party!
Tuesday, March 6
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto
|
|
