On San Antonio's immediate southside, south of the Alamo, where arte es vida, is Southtown, a Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) project of the City of San Antonio and an Urban Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The historic neighborhood is roughly bounded by Durango, South St. Mary's / South Presa, Flores, and Probandt, It's mission is to create a human-scale urban village through the strategies of historic preservation and responsive urban design, support of the arts, business development and aggressive promotion of the area.

As such, Southtown is a neighborhood comprised of historical houses, converted warehouses and artists lofts housing a pedestrian friendly eclectic blend of shops, galleries and restaurants that ought to be a regular leisure destination for area residents - a quirky and sophisticated mix of artists, professionals, musicians, and other creative types - even when it's not First Friday.

Southtown is comprised of three unique and diverse neighborhoods: the King William Historic District with its mansions and bungalows; the Blue Star Arts Complex, complete with artist live/work spaces; and Lavaca, San Antonio's oldest existing neighborhood.