126. Mayor Ron Nirenberg on 8 Years of Progress—and What Comes Next for San Antonio

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we sit down with Mayor Ron Nirenberg as he prepares to leave office after serving eight years as mayor and a total of twelve years in San Antonio’s city government. Bob and Mayor Nirenberg review major initiatives, including the expansion of Pre-K 4 SA, the $1.2 billion municipal bond dedicating unprecedented resources to affordable housing, and the launch of the Ready to Work workforce development program. The discussion also delves into the city’s approach to protecting the Edwards Aquifer, supporting immigrants and asylum seekers, and guiding San Antonio through the COVID-19 pandemic.They discuss:The evolution of San Antonio’s housing strategy and the impact of recent bond investmentsThe complexities and outcomes of workforce development and the Ready to Work programCity leadership during the pandemic and what it revealed about generational povertyEconomic development, from global recruitment to the realities of competing with other Texas citiesThe ongoing tension between local and state governments, especially around immigrationThe city’s climate initiatives and the role of public utilities in environmental stewardshipReflections on civic participation, local elections, and what it means for San Antonio’s futureAs Mayor Nirenberg hands off the reins to a new administration, he shares insights on unfinished work, the importance of systems thinking in local government, and the values that have guided his public service.You can subscribe to Monday Musings, our weekly newsletter, by visiting bigcitysmalltown.com.-- -- CONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram🔗 Join us on LinkedIn🎥 Subscribe on YouTubeSPONSORS🙌 Support the show & see our sponsorsTHANK YOU⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⭐ Rate us on Spotify