San Antonio’s Assistant City Manager Lori Houston, a driving force behind many of the city’s largest projects, is exiting her role at City Hall.
Houston started at the city as an intern 23 years ago.
When Mayor Phil Hardberger was elected in 2005, she was tapped to execute the Museum Reach and Mission Reach River Walk extensions.
Houston quickly gained the respect of city leaders and was given some of the city’s most challenging issues to tackle, from affordable housing to downtown redevelopment.
“From the Alamo to the River Walk to Hemisfair, she’s helped transform downtown in a way that benefits us all,” City Manager Erik Walsh said of Houston. “Her retirement is well earned, and I wish her the best as she embarks on her next chapter.”
In recent years, Houston has become known for her work spearheading the proposed sports and entertainment district known as Project Marvel — a roughly $4 billion downtown redevelopment project that’s expected to be the home of a new Spurs arena.
The project’s handling has drawn criticism from the public and new Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones for getting so far along its development before members of the public knew about it.
Assistant City Manager Lori Houston welcomes the public to the Harvey E. Najim Family YMCA in 2017. Credit: Bonnie Arbittier / San Antonio Report
Houston’s departure comes just days after the City Council approved a term sheet signaling support for the plan. Her last day with the city will be Sept. 26.
“It’s been the honor of my career to help shape projects that have moved our city forward,” Houston said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities the City has given me to grow as a leader, a collaborator, and a public servant.”
Houston said she plans to do some “light consulting” and support her aging parents while spending more time with family.