Borderless Studio

San Antonio friends, we are proud to support these conversations, creating space for residents to learn, share, and help shape the future of affordable housing in the city.

Join us this May and June for community conversations across different districts. You’ll learn how the 2022 Housing Bond, a voter-approved funding dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing, supporting homeownership, and preventing displacement is already making an impact in our community.

These gatherings are also a chance to connect with neighbors, explore what’s planned for your area, and share your priorities for future investments. Your input will help guide how the next housing bond could best support San Antonio.

Four elements, one path forward: the People Plan. Through Education, Health and Safety, and Employment, the People Plan supports early learning, academic growth, and family engagement; expands access to physical, mental, and trauma-informed care; and creates stronger career pathways aligned with residents’ goals. Grounded in measurable outcomes and sustained by partnerships, the People Plan for the International Southmost turns community priorities into lasting impact

HousingAuthority

At the International/Southmost neighborhood, the vision for housing transformation seek to build upon and elevate the cultural history and richness of the neighborhood as well as its strategic location adjacent to downtown and to International Boulevard, a major city-wide and neighborhood connector.  

By ensuring that the housing typology and elements, streetscape, amenities, and open spaces meet the needs and preferences of the community, there is emphasis on engaging the local residents, understanding their priorities and preferences, and incorporating their insights and feedback into the design process. 

    

At the International/Southmost neighborhood, the vision for housing transformation seek to build upon and elevate the cultural history and richness of the neighborhood as well as its strategic location adjacent to downtown and to International Boulevard, a major city-wide and neighborhood connector.  

By ensuring that the housing typology and elements, streetscape, amenities, and open spaces meet the needs and preferences of the community, there is emphasis on engaging the local residents, understanding their priorities and preferences, and incorporating their insights and feedback into the design process. 

HousingAuthority

Connecting neighborhood with community vision
The International Southmost is defined by strong cultural identity, active commercial corridors, and deep community pride.

Anchored by locally owned small and medium businesses, the area benefits from a strategic location and existing amenities. Where residents are committed to preserving the community’s cultural richness while advancing improvements that enhance quality of life.

The Neighborhood Plan builds on this foundation, focusing on strengthening connections to local assets, celebrating heritage, expanding safe and active open spaces, and improving corridors to be more walkable, safe, and welcoming.

Key initiatives include the revitalization of International Boulevard through new plazas and streetscapes, the creation of community gathering spaces and enhanced connectivity for the community.

These efforts support a safe, vibrant, and thriving community for current and future residents.

Planning Coordination: Borderless Studio, Collabo Planning
Market Analysis and Strategy: Randall Gross Development Economics 

HousingAuthority

How did we get here?

Six phases, one journey from 2022 to 2023. Rooted in local strengths, this process brought together residents, neighborhood leaders, businesses, and community partners to collaborate and take action. By building on successful programs already in place and aligning efforts with the capacity of those involved, it engaged local stakeholders and the community to shape and drive meaningful, lasting impact.

Planning Coordination: Borderless Studio, Collabo Planning
Market Analysis and Strategy: Randall Gross Development Economics 

International Southmost Choice Plan HousingAuthority City of Brownsville COLLABOPlanning

The International Southmost is a community brimming with strong potential, anchored by vibrant commercial corridors, existing housing stock, and strong community assets. Linked to Downtown via International Boulevard, it serves as a crucial spine, connecting residents to the border crossing and key civic spaces, including parks, community centers, and the Southmost Library. 

The neighborhood is home to a predominantly young population, 95% Latino and mostly under the age of 30.

Through the Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, a comprehensive vision took shape, introducing new, energy-efficient housing while supporting broader neighborhood reinvestment.

This initiative centered people, expanding opportunities for low-income residents and elevating overall quality of life. The redevelopment of Victoria Gardens and Citrus Gardens introduced a renewed identity, catalyzing investment and attracting new residents.

Transformation is driven by connectivity both physical and social, strengthening links between existing assets and future opportunities. Rooted in the vision of the International Southmost community, the neighborhood evolved into a place of choice, defined by access, resilience, and opportunity.

Planning Coordination: Borderless Studio, Collabo Planning
Market Analysis and Strategy: Randall Gross Development Economics
Architectural Design: Able City  

International Southmost Choice Plan HousingAuthority City of Brownsville COLLABOPlanning

Mark your calendars!

Beyond Closure Film Screening Presented by Food Policy Council of SA
Saturday, Apr 18, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Galeria E.V.A
3412 S Flores St
RSVP link in bio

Join the San Antonio Food Policy Council for a free community screening. Let’s watch, reflect, and dream together!
Across our city, schools have closed—leaving behind empty buildings, lost gathering spaces, and communities wondering what comes next. These closures didn’t just disrupt education. They removed after-school programs, food access sites, and gathering spaces of neighborhood events.
This screening is an invitation to come together—to watch, to listen, and to imagine what could be.

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About the Film:
An original production by Borderless Studio and On The Real Film, Beyond Closure revisits the 2013 shutdown of 50 Chicago public schools, the largest mass closure in U.S. history. It explores how inequity, racism, and injustice shaped the process, while highlighting community-led efforts to reclaim and transform these spaces. Through the stories of Emmet, Woods, and Overton schools (located in West and Southside), the documentary reflects on the struggles, setbacks, and triumphs of residents pursuing redevelopment through self-determination. This film is presented through the story of Creative Grounds, a community-led initiative by Borderless Studio that reimagines the role of school buildings and grounds in the wake of Chicago’s unprecedented closures.

Borderless Studio
On The REAL Film

We’re excited to continue conversations with the Bicentennial Bluffs & downtown Joliet community!

See you this week!

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Mark your calendar! Our next engagement opportunities seek to bring together local and citywide stakeholders while continuing the conversation with community members. Join us for Working Groups #1.

Working Groups are spaces where residents, community partners, local organizations, and public agencies come together to help shape the future of the Bicentennial Bluffs Planning Area. These small, collaborative meetings will focus on key topics: People, Housing, and Neighborhood.

People Working Group
📅 Monday, March 30, 2026
🕓 10:00 – 11:30 AM
📍 McGuire Room – Joliet Public Library
150 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL

Housing Working Group
📅 Monday, March 30, 2026
🕓 1:00 – 2:30 PM
📍 Community Room – Heritage Place Apartments
400 N Bluff St, Joliet, IL

Neighborhood Working Group
📅 Monday, March 30, 2026
🕓 4:00 – 5:30 PM
📍 Lobby – Bicentennial Park Theater
201 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL

RSVP Here: jolietchoice.short.gy/WorkingGroups1

This is an opportunity to provide feedback, share ideas, discuss strategies, and help guide the development of the Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan. Stay tuned!

Excited & grateful for this space to be in conversation with & ✨🙌🏽

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Albuquerque friends!

Borderless’ is excited to join this panel conversation with at NCDBS 41 hosted at The University of New Mexico - to reflect with dear and admired Michaele Pride & A.L. Hu about pedagogy, practice, partnerships while designing with community.

Friday, February 27, 5-7pm

https://www.ncbds41.com/keynote-event