“No More Insurance Companies”: San Antonio East Side Community Talks Economic Development

By Leroy Adams

Note from Editor: At Culture Travels Magazine, we focus on stories where Black culture and travel intersect, often crossing borders to bring global narratives to life. Yet, as a publication rooted in San Antonio’s East Side, we recognize the opportunity and responsibility to shine a light on our local community. This story on economic development on the East Side may not involve travel, but it profoundly speaks to the culture and resilience of our neighborhood. By sharing these stories, we aim to connect the Black travel experience with the unique spirit of our home base, offering you a glimpse into the East Side's rich and evolving culture.

In the heart of San Antonio’s East Side, community members gathered to discuss a pressing issue: economic development that reflects their voices and meets their needs. Hosted by SAGE (San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside) and Prosper West—SAGE’s counterpart on San Antonio’s Westside—the event was a crucial step toward challenging existing trends and paving the way for a more inclusive future for District 2 residents.

Lindsey Logan, SAGE’s VP of Programs & Operations, greets East Side residents.

Reclaiming the Community’s Voice

The meeting began with an exercise that encouraged residents to reflect on the character of their neighborhood. Nine images were displayed, capturing new apartment complexes, legacy sites, and familiar local icons like HEB. These visuals sparked immediate reactions, with many attendees feeling excluded and frustrated about often being the last to know about decisions shaping their neighborhoods. "It feels like we're spectators, not participants," one attendee remarked, a sentiment widely shared among the crowd.

Residents reflect on and discuss the character of the community.

As longtime local advocate Beverly Watts Davis emphasized, real progress depends on empowering SAGE to adopt a more ambitious approach to economic development. “SAGE should be able to buy land and start a community-based bank or credit union," Davis stated. "We [the East Side] need that kind of power—to buy buildings and revitalize them with community buy-in. When we drive this type of development, we sustain funding.” Her vision resonated with a community eager to shape its future rather than be pushed to the margins.

Eastside resident Beverly Watts Davis speaks to attendees. 

Residents encouraged SAGE to collaborate closely with the community, providing training to help navigate the technical aspects of urban planning and economic initiatives. They saw participation as a pathway to ownership, giving them a stronger voice in decisions affecting their homes, children, and livelihoods.

A Commitment to Change: SAGE’s Response

When asked how this meeting would differ from past efforts where community voices often felt ignored, SAGE’s new CEO, James Nortey, emphasized a different approach. “These discussions are the foundation for a community-informed development framework. We are learning from past mistakes and ensuring your voices are at the center of what’s next,” he said.

Olivia Traveieso, the co-founder of Our Community Inc., a social purpose consulting firm, facilitates a discussion. 

"A testament to this new direction is the partnership with Prosper West, a nonprofit dedicated to economic development on the Westside. Prosper West represents parts of Districts 5 and 7, while SAGE represents Districts 2, 1, 3, and 10, and together their collaboration addresses common issues across neighborhoods. 'We’re initiating an East-West collaboration because, while our geographies are distinct, our communities face similar concerns—displacement, rising housing costs, food deserts, transportation infrastructure, green spaces, and future development,' Nortey explained. He added that this initiative is especially timely with the upcoming Silver Line, a transit route stretching east to west from Our Lady of the Lake University to the Frost Bank Center. 'While the Silver Line could be a welcome addition, we’re cautious about unintended consequences from transit-oriented development.'"

For Nortey and SAGE, the meeting marked a crucial first step in reshaping the East Side’s growth—building physical infrastructure and trust.

Growing Political Power

A highlight of the evening was the community’s vision for New Braunfels Street, a corridor brimming with potential. Community members spoke passionately about transforming the area from the bridge to the MLK statue into a bustling business and cultural district. "With legacy businesses like Tank Pizza, J’s Eatery, hookah cafes, coffee shops, and community gardens like Gardopia, we have the foundation to create something truly unique," said one local business owner. The hope is to develop the area into a vibrant hub of entertainment, commerce, and culture—a destination that feels like home, eliminating the need to leave the East Side for such experiences.

SAGE Community Development Meeting

The meeting drew residents eager to shape the future of the East Side, especially following the city’s receipt of a $2.96 million federal grant from the Department of Transportation. This funding supports a planning and design study addressing connectivity around Interstate 37, a long-standing divide between the East Side and downtown. Residents hope this grant will bridge physical and economic gaps, fostering growth aligning with their community vision. However, concerns were raised about the types of businesses appearing in the area, with residents expressing a desire for development beyond insurance companies, cell phone providers, and pawn shops, favoring local coffee shops, cultural venues, and shared workspaces instead. The call was clear: economic development should reflect the community’s unique desires rather than solely external corporate interests.

Taylor Watson, the Zoning Commissioner for District 2, discusses San Antonio’s city council six-vote policy.

Residents emphasized the need for political support to drive this vision forward. In response to a community member's question on how his team plans to achieve policy change given the historical lack of political strength on the East Side, James Nortey, CEO of SAGE, explained, “There are 11 elected officials on City Council, and it takes at least six votes to enact policy. In theory, we can build a coalition that enacts policies truly serving the people of our districts. But this is about more than just counting votes—it’s about amplifying the voices of the communities we serve.” Prosper West, representing parts of Districts 5 and 7, and SAGE, representing parts of Districts 2, 1, 3, and 10, are working to ensure that community voices guide policy, aiming for transparent communication and mutual trust with decision-makers. "Together, we aspire to create pathways for prosperity without displacement,” Nortey added, reinforcing their commitment to fostering inclusive growth that benefits all residents.

A New Path Forward

The meeting on the East Side underscored the urgency for development that genuinely serves the community, echoing Beverly Watts Davis’ call for SAGE to take bold steps by investing in land, revitalizing properties, and even establishing a community-based bank. This ambition aligns with SAGE’s collaboration with Prosper West, as both organizations recognize that shared concerns and goals strengthen economic progress. With their eyes set on securing at least six supportive votes on the City Council, SAGE and Prosper West are taking actionable steps to amplify the community’s voice in shaping policy.

This administration of SAGE, under CEO James Nortey, promises a new path—a path where the people’s voices are no longer secondary but central to the growth vision. Despite decades of disinvestment, failed promises, and being overlooked, East Side residents are determined to realize their vision. Many hope this new leadership will champion their cause and lead them toward a future where their community flourishes on their terms.