“One of the noteworthy items is that we have a community that is very connected to each other,” says Kim Turner, the City Manager. “Even though we’re a city of 21,000, there’s a lot of connectivity between residents, whether through volunteering for the city or their interaction while they were in the military,” Turner emphasizes how these interactions create a vibrant community atmosphere, where everyone seems to know someone, creating a sense of belonging that’s hard to find in larger cities. Universal City’s close relationship with the military is deeply ingrained in daily life. “We are the gateway to Joint Base San Antonio Randolph,” Turner says, highlighting the mutual importance of this connection. Many residents—service members, veterans, and civilians—share a common bond through their ties to the base, shaping the city’s identity. This camaraderie extends beyond military influence, creating a tight-knit community where “you don’t get lost here,” Turner notes, referring to the city’s close-knit nature. Universal City’s Communications Director, Kathy Williams, highlights the city’s patriotic pride: “Many residents here are retired from Randolph Air Force Base. Our level of patriotic pride is a lot higher than most places.” This pride is woven into the city’s identity, even reflected in its red, white, and blue logo. The town was founded because of the base and continues to serve both active duty and retired military. Military uniforms are a common sight, and local businesses, like a restaurant honoring veterans, showcase this shared respect and connection to the military. REIMAGINING THE HEART OF UNIVERSAL CITY Universal City may not have a traditional downtown, but that doesn’t mean it lacks vision or ambition. “We don’t have a downtown, per se,”Turner explains, acknowledging that while Universal City lacks a conventional downtown core, it has a plan to fill that gap.“The Aviation District Revitalization Plan we have in place is to create a downtown for the city.” This vision isn’t just a distant dream; it’s a careful plan that has been in the works for several years. Michael Cassata, the Director of Development 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 UNIVERSAL CITY, TX
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