Public Works Director Razi Hosseini to Retire in September Amid Construction Criticism
Razi Hosseini, the longstanding Public Works Director for San Antonio, has announced his retirement effective this September. His departure comes during a time of heightened scrutiny regarding the city’s management of large construction projects.
Community Concerns Prompt Action
Local business owners have expressed significant concern regarding the delays and handling of key construction initiatives. These concerns led to the formation of a political action committee aimed at advocating for improvements within city operations, particularly before the NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament scheduled to take place in San Antonio.
City Manager Responds to Retirement Announcement
City Manager Erik Walsh communicated Hosseini’s retirement in a staff announcement, noting the importance of developing a transition plan to ensure continued delivery of critical urban services. “My thanks to Razi for his leadership, professionalism and dedicated service to our community,” Walsh stated.
Razi Hosseini’s Career Highlights
With nearly four decades of experience in engineering and over three decades with the City of San Antonio, Hosseini has overseen significant projects funded by voter-approved bond programs. His work has included the expansion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and renovations at the Alamodome, among other infrastructure developments. Hosseini was recognized as the Engineer of the Year by the Bexar County Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers in 2021.
Continuing Issues within the Public Works Department
Despite his achievements, Hosseini’s administration has faced criticism for delays in completion of several projects, notably the prolonged construction on North St. Mary’s Street which exceeded its timeline by a year and concluded in 2023. Additionally, construction activities on South Alamo Street have been temporarily altered to accommodate the influx of tourists for the Final Four event.
Temporary Measures and Future Plans
In preparation for the high volume of visitors expected in San Antonio, the city has laid temporary pavement on parts of South Alamo Street, which has been under construction since 2022. Public Works spokesman Nicholas Olivier clarified that only a portion of the corridor was paved in anticipation of the event, indicating that the project would resume swiftly after.
Support for Affected Local Businesses
In light of the challenges faced by small businesses during the pandemic and ongoing construction disruptions, the city’s Economic Development Department proposed a plan allocating $1.4 million in aid to affected enterprises. Overall, the city has invested nearly $60 million in support over recent years. However, Mayor Ron Nirenberg emphasized the need to focus efforts on expediting construction timelines rather than merely increasing financial assistance, saying, “I’ve had literally business owners crying during my office hours because of this,” said Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, who represents the area impacted by the construction.
Audit Findings and Future Improvements
A recent audit into the Public Works Department revealed a lack of effective communication with local businesses regarding major construction projects. As a corrective measure, the department initiated a plan that includes a digital dashboard to provide real-time updates on ongoing projects and the inclusion of traffic information in navigation applications like Waze.
Looking Ahead: New Bond Initiatives
The latest bond program approved in 2022 allocates $1.2 billion for 182 infrastructure projects, targeting enhancements in various sectors including roads, bridges, drainage, and public safety facilities. One notable recent project completed under this program is the World Heritage Center, a community hub that opened in February, fulfilling the timeline laid out for development.
Reporter Andrea Drusch provided additional insights for this article.
