Adam RollinsThe U.S. House Appropriations Committee (HAC) has provided $11.7 million to San Antonio for research and innovation, housing, safety and public transportation projects. These projects will help improve neighborhood air quality, revitalize community areas, improve emergency response services and support local law enforcement.
Here are some of the notable projects supported by the HAC’s investment:
The Tracking Waterborne Microbial Contaminants of Concern in Bexar County, spearheaded by Texas A&M University – San Antonio, will prioritize research into water surveillance. The project will monitor surface and aquifer water to detect new and emerging pathogenic threats and antibiotic resistance genes. The university will use compiled data to develop a framework for water-based, communicable disease surveillance for the local community.
Additional funding will support Project Uplift, an initiative led by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS). The utility company will repair water leaks in low- and middle-income houses in the immediate and surrounding area. Project Uplift offers 14 assistance initiatives to help households in need access clean, safe water.
The city’s Housing Authority will receive funding to replace roofs at five public housing senior/disabled communities across the district. Plans include removing existing roof material and repairing existing roof plywood decking. The authority will replace the roofs with waterproof underlayment material, a 30-year shingle product, roof features as needed and ventilation. A metal drip-edge material and commercial gutter and downspout systems to direct rain runoff will also be installed.
Other projects receiving a share of the funding include:
- The city’s Police Department Forensic Genealogy Project will analyze homicide and sexual assault evidence to effectively document existing evidence from current and cold cases.
- Bexar County will replace emergency communications radios for public safety organizations, first responders and utilities. The updated communication devices will improve emergency communication and maintain interoperability between organizations.
- Our Lady of the Lake University will buy equipment to support academic science and health research for faculty and students.
Photo by Yinan Chen
