The plug is officially pulled on the latest plan to pipe Uvalde water to San Antonio.

As we reported two weeks ago, the controversial and politically charged project didn't turn up on SAWS' short list for a long-term supply contract, which effectively ended Southwest Texas Water Resources' four-year push for a $250-million pipeline to deliver 40,000 acre-feet of water per year to SA. The deal only made sense if the City-owned utility was its customer.

STWR President Velma Danielson said as much in email to Plaza de Armas this morning.

Do we dare ask Nettie Hinton what she thinks? The historic Hays Street Bridge, a symbolic and physical link to the old East Side, restored through the efforts of community activists such as Hinton, Gary Houston, and Doug Steadman, has lured another business to the post-industrial corridor between downtown and on-the-up Dignowity Hill. Boneshakers, the early adopter that put craft beer and a bike shop on the banks of the reconstructed Mission Reach the moment it opened to cyclists and hikers, is moving north at the end of the month to 306 Austin, near the foot of the bridge.

Architecture, engineering, and construction firms have dreamed it. They've helped map it. They want to build it. But to insure the City's $596-million bond package prevails on May 12, they also have to bankroll its campaign.

And that's what they've done so far, according to a campaign finance report filed this week by the Build SA Now political action committee.

Ed. note: Council approved the HOPE program at its June 15, 2012, meeting, overriding Councilwoman Elisa Chan's objection that this type of employee incentive program might be inappropriate for a government entity whose revenue consists of fees and taxes paid by citizens. Chan asked for a week's extension to look at expanding the program beyond municipal employees, but the measure passed eight to two, with one absence.

Before the end of this year, the City plans to launch a program to assist people who are buying their first home in San Antonio. The boost is significant – a $5,000-$10,000 forgivable loan toward the purchase price – and the criteria are simple: participants must buy a house inside the designated Inner City Reinvestment Infill Policy area, and they must work full-time for the City. The program is called HOPE, for Home Ownership Program for Employees, and while its evocation of the iconic Obama campaign poster might not sell well in all circles, it’s at least more appealing than the unfortunately acronymed ICRIP, which sounds like something bought on deep discount the day after Halloween.