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By Richard Webner, SA Express News
October 4, 2017

The Pearl was named one of the top five “great neighborhoods” in the U.S. by the American Planning Association’s this year.

The association on Wednesday released its list of 15 “Great Places in America,” which also included neighborhoods in Minneapolis; Cincinnati; Missoula, Montana; and Greenwood, South Carolina. The group honored five great neighborhoods, streets and public spaces.

“The neighborhoods recognized this year are proof that planning creates more vibrant, equitable, healthy neighborhoods,” said Cynthia Bowen, the association’s president, in a news release. “Through dedicated, community-wide engagement efforts, this year’s designees are creating better places for all, and setting an example for other neighborhoods nationwide.”

The Pearl has grown in recent years with the completion of a food hall, Hotel Emma and the upscale Cellars apartment complex, as well as new retail businesses such as the Jazz TX music venue. A 10-story office tower and another apartment complex are in the works.

“Pearl has been a great success for San Antonio, helping us connect all our residents with downtown San Antonio,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement. “Pearl is a great example of what we can achieve when we plan for the future together by harnessing our strengths and leveraging our collective vision.”