Community ervice / Sponsorships
As a growing part of Portico's interest in education and community awareness, we are committed to the built environment.
Immediately below, Portico and its members, illustrate an example of our committment to the public domain. It has
used its own resources and channeled thousands of pro-bono hours into re-shaping the streetscape. Two examples of this are
found below. Recently, we began sponsoring interns who are attending graduate level programs in real estate, preservation,
planning and architecture.
On location: Pole-free NYC
Before The Royal Tenenbaums debuted (starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow,
Bill Murray) the street in New York where 90% of the filming took place had more overhead wires placed around century old
townhouses than a spaghetti bowl. In 1999, led by Hamilton Terrace Block Association resident Roy Pachecano, who formed a
special utility committee with then-block president Christina Burke-Lee, to eradicate miles of wires that feestooned
the graceful tree-lined street, the successful removal of overhead wires and cables had been achieved. It was soon
thereafter, Director Wes Anderson was said to have chosen the location because of its authentic feel of a classic New
York City block.
In 2005, Roy Pachecano led a privately funded effort to restore a portion of the streetscape in Texas' oldest historic
district. A pilot project was conceived and successfully implemented to eliminate 12 poles and bury several thousand
feet of overhead wires in the King William Historic District in downtown San Antonio. Pachecano worked closely with residents,
King William Association, City's historic commission, San Antonio Conservation Society and CPS. Awareness of the pilot project
brought Pachecano together with other residents to form a Utility Conversion Committee. With the political support of Mary
Alice Cisneros (District 1) and City Council, funding for Phase 1 was approved by the city in 2009 where residents will
enjoy a pole-free environment in the King William pocket park. ............................................................................................................................................................
Images at left: Before and after poles.
Click here to read article published in the San Antonio Express News.
