Public Invited to Start "Talkin' Broadway" as Bond Project Progresses

Published on November 03, 2023

City of San Antonio introduces innovative communication prototype to enhance construction awareness.

SAN ANTONIO (November 3, 2023) – Big improvements are coming to Broadway – and now the public can discover more about them simply by scanning and texting. The City of San Antonio is excited to announce the launch of “Talkin' Broadway,” an innovative location-based chatbot that allows the public to participate in text message-based conversations about an ongoing 2017 Bond Project on Lower Broadway. QR codes placed along the corridor will enhance awareness and access to information about the bond project that is scheduled for completion in Summer 2024. Talkin' Broadway represents the first initiative of its kind for the City, offering an innovative and inclusive solution to bridge the information gap between the city's construction projects and the public. 

Target audiences include visitors navigating Broadway and area streets to access local businesses, residents searching for more information about the bond project, and business owners seeking updates about ongoing construction.

"We hope this is a fun and engaging way to quickly seek and receive answers about a downtown project and the area impacted by construction,” said Brian Chasnoff, Assistant Director of Infrastructure Communications for the City. “If this pilot is successful, we would seek to expand it to other high-profile capital projects across the city.”

This project is one of several pilots made possible under the City’s Smart Cities Roadmap and “Smarter Together!” initiative. Talkin' Broadway is set to run as a preliminary year-long trial before its potential deployment in other awareness-building projects across the city. 

“Talkin' Broadway is not just about information; it's about community interaction and understanding,” said Brian Dillard, Chief Innovation Officer for the City. “As we launch this pilot, we're optimistic that it will set the stage for broader adoption across the city. Talkin' Broadway isn't just a chatbot; it's a conversation starter, bringing us closer to our community and transforming the way the City connects with visitors and residents.”

How Talkin' Broadway Works

Talkin' Broadway is a unique location-based tool that enables passersby to interact with the 2017 Bond Project along the Lower Broadway corridor in an intuitive, convenient and anonymous manner. 

The process is simple:

• Scan a QR Code: Individuals can simply scan a QR code placed strategically at various locations along the lower Broadway corridor.
• Text for Information: Alternatively, they can send a text message to the number displayed on the QR code.

By engaging with Talkin' Broadway, the public gains access to a two-way conversation that covers construction updates, project schedules, access to small businesses and City staff contact information, and comprehensive details about the 2017 Bond Project.

Customized Information for Enhanced Awareness

Talkin' Broadway uses a chatbot system to provide custom information about the construction at sites along the Lower Broadway corridor. This innovative approach delivers construction updates, project details and information about the corridor directly to the community through a quick QR snapshot or text message, empowering individuals to understand their surroundings and gain access to resources in the area more efficiently. The system is accessible in both English and Spanish. Future iterations could host additional language translations. 

Improving Decision Making

This initiative goes beyond public engagement; it also provides local decision-makers with valuable insights into the public's needs and attitudes regarding the construction in the area. The platform uses advanced data analytics, including sentiment analysis, to gather community insights in real time. The anonymously collected data will help the City better serve the community as it strives during construction to adhere to four guiding principles: transparency, support, accountability and innovation. 

“Talkin’ Broadway is a compelling new initiative aimed at enhancing the City’s communication with the public,” said Alanna Reed, Director of Communications for the City. “We’re excited to evaluate its impact on the public’s understanding of the Lower Broadway corridor’s reconstruction.”

This project reflects the City's dedication to harnessing smart city technology and innovation to create more open, accessible, and community-oriented solutions. To learn more about the City’s Smart Cities Roadmap, visit SmarterTogetherSA.com.

For more information about the bond project to improve Broadway, please visit SASpeakUp.com/LowerBroadway