Page 3 - KWA Newsletter • October 2020

Letter from LISA
Executive Director Lisa Lynde
Over the summer I moved. While I loved my lit- tle apartment, we needed more living and work space. In May we viewed many homes searching for that perfect (and preferably) historic home, but the layout and size we needed eluded us. We settled on a home on the SE side of town that has been absolutely perfect, albeit not historic. Throughout the search process I was reminded of the prior year, when I flew to San Antonio for the weekend to secure a place to live. I spent time then too driving through other neighborhoods just exploring. That is when I saw “it.”
In almost every city I have visited I have one build- ing that stands out in my mind; that one building that gives me a sense of place. In Detroit it is The Michigan Central Train Station. Looming above the interstate surrounded by a vacant landscape, this building stood vacant for decades; victim to scavenge and decay. Redevelopment was always dreamed of, but could never seem to come to- gether. Thankfully this glorious building is finally being saved! Its story mirrors the story of Detroit and its slow crawl back from death.
Which brings me back to San Antonio. While ex- ploring SA neighborhoods in May 2019, I saw a tall building in the distance, ornate and seemingly sur- rounded by open space. I immediately thought of Michigan Central and decided to navigate over to it – curious to see if it too was a deserted train sta- tion. It wasn’t. What building did I happen upon? After some quick curbside research, I learned I was looking at The Aurora Apartments (formerly The Aurora) and to me it was magnificent. I’ve still not been inside and have only seen a handful of interior photos online, yet this building continues to pique my curiosity.
Which leads me to a question for you. What build- ing or structure (other than your home) here in San Antonio stands out in your mind? I’d genu- inely like to hear from you! It doesn’t have to be historic, currently occupied, in King William or even in good repair. We may mention it in a fu- ture newsletter! And if any of you have a “in” with The Aurora and can help me sneak inside let me know that too! •
KWA NEWSLETTER 3