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“It’s not Austin or San Antonio, but it’s a good distance from both \[cities\] to have its own <br />identity. It’s a bigger town with a university.” <br /> Proximity to other cities. <br /> Sitting at the epicenter of growth, between the two busy metro areas. Fastest growing <br />county is Hays. <br /> Largest city within the two-town region. <br /> Strategically in a great place between Austin and San Antonio. <br />“So much … it’s beautiful —right part of the hill country \[and has\] really wonderful natural <br />formations …. “ <br />River.Several interviewees indicated that the river is a special characteristic of San Marcos. <br /> “We have an incredible river that goes through the center of town.” <br /> “The river is our jewel.” <br />We have the river. We love it and care for it. It’s a source for tourism, which we don’t always <br />like. <br /> The river is a “backbone” of the town. <br /> We’ve got this great river and touchstone things involved with the river. Concerts and <br />festivals about the river. <br /> “River is what makes it super unique. Surrounding towns have rivers, but I think the fact that <br />we have springs from the ground … is special.” <br /> The river culture is unique. Spring fed river and the benefits that has provided to ancient <br />cultures. <br /> The river and water attraction. Huge advertising for their water parks. <br />Other differences. Interviewees provided examples of other distinguishing factors of San Marcos. <br /> Growth competing with environment, endangered species, existing neighborhoods founded <br />around the river. “Art comes from those unique features of the community.” <br />Low-mid income with a lot of poverty. Unified community, but it’s hard to sell art to people <br />who struggle to put food on the table. <br /> Even though the city is growing, it still retains much of the hometown/small town feel <br />where people know and support each other, particularly in the arts community. <br /> “Great venues, restaurants and employers.” <br /> So many opportunities to integrate art into infrastructure. <br />No major differences. One interviewee indicated that San Marcos wasn’t much different compared to <br />other cities. <br /> “Not a whole lot.” Texas is a lot like one big community. Every town looks like same. <br /> <br />KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — SAN MARCOS ARTS MASTER PLAN 2022 APPENDIX E,PAGE 7 <br /> <br />