As far as City Council duties are concerned, this has been one of the craziest years in our City’s history. With two budget cycle’s complete, federal pandemic relief money allocated, a 5-year bond project approved, the SAPD collective bargaining agreement negotiated, Unified Development Code Amendment underway, Council Districts redistricted, and all of the usual activity, I’m proud to say our District 2 team still has a lot of energy for the rest of the year. (And I’m sure, we’ll need it LOL)
District 2 Residents enjoy a Movie in the Park by the Hays St Bridge | July 15, 2022
We are aware some of our newsletters have been delayed in reaching your mailbox and because of that, future editions of our newsletter may not include dates or specific events (unless we’re absolutely sure it’ll get to you first). To get timely, up to date information, we encourage you to sign up for our e-blast by emailing imgard.rop@sanantonio.gov, or following us on Twitter and Instagram @COSA_CD2 or on Facebook at “City Council District 2.” In the meantime, we aim to continue producing a monthly newsletter, a bi-weekly e-blast, and sharing relevant City and District events on all of our social media. Don’t hesitate to follow the City’s official accounts as well @COSAGOV.
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! As we approach the Holiday season, we want to encourage you and your family to stay safe and have fun at many of the events throughout District 2. As always, it is the greatest privilege and honor to represent you. If you are ever in need of a helping hand or want to speak to a happy voice, please reach out to my office at 210.207.0950 or Council.District2@sanantonio. gov.
Yours in service,
District 2
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is now accepting submissions for the annual MLK March Art Contest. Submissions must be sent via email to arts@sanantonio.gov and should have the subject line: 2022 MLK Poster Contest. Artwork photograph should be a high-quality photograph and not blurry. Image of artwork should be submitted as an attachment to the email as a jpeg file. SUBMISSIONS DUE BY: NOVEMBER 14, 2022
Your submission must have the following information in the body of your email: y, &
Artist Full Name; Contact Information (phone #, email, & home address); Age; School Name; Title of Artwork; Art Media Used (i.e. watercolor, computer, color pencil, etc.); NOTE: The Department might request you resend a photograph for quality control.
The art contest is open to current Bexar County residents and student artists are especially encouraged to participate.
Artworks must be a visual representation of the 2023 commemorative theme: “Together We Can Be the Dream”
Any traditional two-dimensional artistic media (painting, watercolor, photography, computer graphics, color pencil, etc.) are acceptable.
All submissions MUST BE original artwork created by the submitter, and not currently or previously used in any other promotional or event materials.
One individual artist per entry (no collaborations or group works).
Artist should not sign artwork or identify themselves on the art piece.
The image, likeness, and direct quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. should not be included in the submitted artwork, as these are copyrighted. Artwork with image, likeness, and direct quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be disqualified.
Last Halloween, the District 2 team held a food distribution | October 15, 2021
Trunk or Treat by
Trunk or Treat (Hosted by Latched)
October 28 | 5-7pm
t b 28 |5 7
Midcrown San Antonio, TX 78239
HALLO-EAST (with SAGE)
October 30 | 1-5pm
Pittman Sullivan Park (1101 Iowa St)
Harvest Fest (Hosted by Bethel Prevention Coalition)
October 30 | 2-5pm
NE Parkway San Antonio, TX 78218
Eastside Trunk or Treat Safe Zones (with Big Mama’s Safe House)
October 31 | 5-8pm
- Menger Creek Linear Park (1526 N Walters St)
P.O.W.E.R. (4110 N Hein Rd)
- Artisan Apartments (535 Gembler Rd)
- Woodard Center (1011 Locke St)
- Denver Heights Community Center (300 Porter St)
Skyline Park (800 Green Valley Dr)
Rigsby Apartments (2929 Rigsby Ave)
- Mitchell Bail Bond (3003 MLK Dr)
Blue Rock Springs
r is focused on fostering local policecting neighborhoods with key city tips and the opportunity to get more and community. The event is aimed unity involvement. This year, the event took place on October
Some of the participating neighborhoods are displayed above!
Throughout District 2, construction is happening, and the end result will be beautiful! For decades, District 2 was underfunded and underresourced. But now, we’re receiving more infrastructure funding than ever before. This means that more small businesses who have endured years of this neglect, will now have to outlast the effects. Though Council will be prioritizing construction impacted businesses with American Rescue Plan dollars and recently approved a construction mitigation program for businesses, more must be done. We’re calling on District 2 to lend support to businesses impacted by this construction by paying them visits and shopping local when possible!
(But aren’t limited to)
E Houston to Burleson (Phase 1) - When Wah - Gardopia Gardens - Alamo City Market - Legion Ink Tattoo Shop - Kelly’s Store - Teresita’s - Tank’s Pizza - La Tienda de la Birria - Sunshine Bakery - Hair Eccentric Barber & Beauty Shop - Wen Wah Chinese - Cobb Building Materials
E Houston to Paso Hondo (Phase 2) - Smart Stop - Beacon’s Clothing Store & School Uniforms - EZPawn
Students in the Eastside Content Creator Program wrapped up production on their short films and are now in post-production! | October 7, 2022
We’ve partnered with Alamo City Studios to provide 26 Eastside students with a one-of-a-kind experience! For six weeks, the students will be learning to write, act, film, direct, and produce digital content from some of the top industry professionals from around the country. The students just wrapped up filming/production and are beginning the post-production process. We look forward to inviting you to the first ever showcase on November 20, 2022 featuring their amazing work. [SPOILER ALERT: It’s going to be fantastic!]
The students have been meeting Monday-Thursday from 5-7pm, and Saturdays from 10am-3pm, with meals, equipment, and travel to and from Sam Houston High School fully covered. Digital & Social Media Content Creation is a growing industry and our children have an opportunity to learn from the best and become leaders in it.
The District 2 team makes a monthly visit to our D2 Senior Center, where we participate in a range of activities. We even brought a Flamingo from the San Antonio Zoo!
Read below about our plan to increase these opportunities at our D2 Senior Center.
Mango the Flamingo from the San Antonio Zoo visited our District 2 Senior Center! | July 14, 2022
Currently, the District 2 Senior Center is in a leased facility on S WW White. In May, Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez introduced an item to the Inner-City TIRZ board to fund a location study for a brand new senior center with a affordable housing component for seniors, in addition to a complete design. The study will determine best possible locations, with enough land or existing building space to accomplish both a senior center and housing, in close proximity to VIA transit. Once a list of possible locations is finalized, we will begin looking for funding opportunities to acquire the land or facility. We will also be conducting community engagement to determine a list of needs & wants for programming and space needed to inform our design. After land is acquired and the design is complete, we will know how much funding will be needed to complete construction. This could most likely be accomplished in a Bond program. The journey to a senior center will not be speedy, but it will be fruitful. We are proud to have initiated Phase 1 of a brand new senior center our District 2 seniors deserve.
As a part of our 2023 budget, additional money was allotted to each Council office to expand programming at our Senior Centers this year. We look forward to providing more opportunities like the Flamingo Visit, fitness classes, and exploration in the arts. In addition, the City is exploring extended hours for each of our senior centers and will be conducting a survey to determine new operating hours. We look forward to making new, exciting memories with our seniors!
