San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS

Compared to other neighborhoods in San Marcos, the Downtown neighborhood has the most diverse mix of housing types and services. However, there is a desire to have additional housing and ownership opportunities Downtown. Two primary methods to make Downtown a better place to live have been identified through the Downtown Area Plan process: DOWNTOWN HOUSING OPTIONS MAKING DOWNTOWN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

Community amenities are important to serve a growing population of Downtown residents. Several key amenities already exist in Downtown and many are identified below such as grocery services, but the list of amenities below should be prioritized and/or maintained to promote quality of life for Downtown residents. (Recommendation A.1) · Groceries and fresh/healthy food options · The “Little” HEB and Target are both located downtown and the community identified them as a key service that should be maintained over the lifetime of this Plan. · Parks and public gathering spaces · Several existing parks exist in downtown including the Courthouse Lawn, Mobility Hub, and Eddie Durham Park. Enhancements to these parks and the addition of other pocket parks is an opportunity in the future. · Child care centers, early childhood development centers, and children’s play areas · The United Methodist Church offers childcare services, however, expanded childcare services and children’s play areas would help make downtown more inviting to families. · Health care and pharmacies · The “Little” HEB and the Downtown Target both have existing pharmacies. An Urgent Care exists at the corner of Hutchison and Guadalupe Street. Additional health care and pharmacy services are desired. · Well-maintained public realm · Continual maintenance of the public realm should be a priority downtown.

Mural in Kissing Alley

Family riding bike on S LBJ Drive

Wayfinding signs on N LBJ Drive

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SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN