Dignowity Hill, located on the East Side of San Antonio, is a neighborhood in transition. Once redlined and long disinvested, it is now experiencing reinvestment and a wave of infill development. With increasing interest from developers and residents alike, the area’s Value Per Acre (VPA) is rising — a sign of its growing fiscal contribution to the city.
Urban3’s models show that East Side blocks like Dignowity Hill are starting to deliver a more favorable return on investment. Infill housing, small-scale multifamily, and adaptive reuse of historic structures are all helping to increase tax revenue while making efficient use of existing infrastructure.
Yet, the neighborhood sits on a knife’s edge. As values rise, so do assessments, and long-time residents are at risk of displacement. The area is a patchwork of old and new — both in its buildings and in its financial data. Assessment fairness is mixed: while some properties are undervalued, others — especially among lower-income families — are overassessed or face sharp increases in tax burden.
Historically redlined as “Hazardous,” Dignowity Hill’s story is emblematic of many urban neighborhoods undergoing revitalization. The question is: who benefits from the renewal? Urban3’s approach calls for a balanced investment strategy that builds value without displacing community members.
This neighborhood offers a case study in responsible reinvestment — where incremental development and fair taxation can work together to build a vibrant, just city.