When the San Antonio City Council approved development of VIDA on the city’s South Side, then-councilwoman Rebecca Viagran said the project would “breathe new life into this part of San Antonio that has needed it and wanted it for so long.”
More than three years later, it looks like the rest of the city agrees: VIDA won Best New Home Community in the 2023 YourSA/Readers’ Choice Awards, the annual citywide contest by MySA.com/San Antonio Express-News that invites the public to vote for their favorite San Antonio people, places, and things.
A Winning Lifestyle
VIDA means life, but here it’s more than a definition—it’s a lifestyle. With every plan, design, and event, we celebrate the history and cultura of San Antonio alongside neighborhood institutions and residents who share our vision.
Photo: San Antonio River Foundation/Larry Servin
Art in the buildings and courtyards of the Texas A&M-San Antonio campus next door will spill over to VIDA, where streets are named after well-known San Antonio artists. The VIDA Arts Council has already started planning locations for outdoor installations throughout the community.
The first phase of Madla Greenway, the linear park that runs through VIDA, opened in the fall of 2022 and we’re all-in as environmental stewards to protect the space. VIDA participates in the Adopt-A-Spot program, where residents and staff participate in regular litter cleanups, and took the San Antonio River Authority’s “Don’t Let Litter Trash Your River” pledge. Phase Two of the trail system is expected to be complete this summer.
Ana Park is the first of several coming to VIDA. It features a playground, open lawn, and shade pavilion, giving residents of all ages another outdoor place to gather.
VIDA looks ahead to Shops, Restaurants and Healthcare
VIDA has hit significant milestones this year, including welcoming its first new homeowners in February and breaking ground on its first apartment complex, Los Arcos, in March.
So much more is on the way. Additional apartments, townhomes, and housing options will be available for families to find their ideal forever home.
The University Health Campus at VIDA will bring a hospital, pharmacy, and medical facilities to provide specialty and wellness care. It will also be home to the Bexar County Division of Public Health—a county office dedicated to the health and wellness of Bexar County residents.
These efforts align with a partnership between University Health, Texas A&M-San Antonio, and the Texas A&M Health System to provide educational opportunities and health care career paths. Construction of the new School of Education and Public Health at Texas A&M–San Antonio is slated to begin in 2024.
At the heartbeat of it all will be VIDA’s Zócalo, a central hub for students and staff, residents, retailers and the entire Southside community. The open-air green space will be surrounded by a pedestrian-friendly Town Center with a variety of places to eat and drink, shop, and enjoy activities and entertainment.
Our hope is that VIDA will be a winning community for years to come.