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Originally Posted by kai
Helotes Heritage Association
I'm not sure how much of this has popped up in the San Antonio news, but I thought I would post this link here due to the potential impact on local biking in the Helotes/grey Forest/Leon Springs area of San Antonio. Walmart is proposing to put a store on the corner of Bandera Rd & Scenic Loop Rd- a popular intersection for cyclists (in a quaint, quiet town, I might add)... [edited for space]
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I'm trying to visualize where the Walmart would go... that 1604/Bandera Road intersection is already extremely developed, particularly over the last 1.5 years. To me, driving that direction out to Helotes now feels like nothing more than an extension of San Antonio. "Back in the day" (5-7 years ago), there used to be a clear delineation "Ah, we're leaving San Antonio," and "Hello, Helotes!" Now, there are probably 160 businesses, restaurants, fast food places and and 10 housing developments between Helotes and the Bandera/Prue Road intersection.
The intersection I'm thinking of is already developed on all available corners, and the development continues on up Bandera Road (away from Helotes). Housing tracts start almost immediately on the right, heading to Helotes. There's also a high school out that direction (O'Connor). At this location, Walmart would be no more or less of a blight than all the others.
Am I missing a key distinction on the location? You mentioned Leon Springs, and that sounds more like the area you describe. While I see cyclists at 1604/Bandera occasionally, I'd hardly describe the ride as "quiet" or the surroundings "quaint". It
used to be, but that was long before Walmart perked up its ears.
Also, the only spin I've heard on the news is that Helotes' city council is "wooing" Walmart, which somewhat surprised me. I'm not sure why, given all the other development that's been permitted right up to their doorstep.