Alamo Area Construction News - August 23

August 23, 2024

Map of Alamo area construction in August 2024

Traffic Restrictions in the Alamo District: Vehicle access has been restricted on the Alamo grounds since last year, particularly from Commerce St. to Crockett St. and along Crockett St. from Alamo Plaza to Losoya St. Also, on Houston St. between Losoya St. and Alamo Plz. These limitations have been crucial in allowing construction activities to proceed smoothly.

For pedestrian convenience and safety, we've implemented several enhancements:

A protective fence now surrounds the future Texas Cavalier Education Center, cordoning off the southern part of the Alamo Gardens and the passage between the Menger Hotel and the Alamo, while maintaining uninterrupted pedestrian flow.
Defined pedestrian lanes are in place from North to South on Alamo Plaza and East to West on Crockett St., marking the western boundary of the Alamo District.
Two pedestrian routes near the Menger Hotel stretches from North to South, providing a direct passage linking Alamo Plaza with the River Center Mall vicinity.
Dedicated pedestrian flow is established on the north side of Houston Street, between Alamo Street and Losoya Street.

Houston St. North Street Scape

Map of Houston Street area impacted by Alamo construction

Red fence wrap on Houston Street showing that pedestrians are welcome

As part of the ongoing $550 million Alamo Plan, significant enhancements are being made to the Alamo and its surrounding areas. On Monday afternoon, July 8th, 2024, Houston Street between Losoya Street and Alamo Street was closed to vehicular traffic only to facilitate the construction of the $185m Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled to open in 2027. The fencing footprint will fully stretch from Alamo Plaza to Losoya St., on Houston St., after Labor Day 2024. Pedestrian access on the northern end of the corridor will not be impacted.

In 2018, the San Antonio City Council voted to transform this section of Houston Street, which includes part of the Alamo Mission and battlefield footprint, into a pedestrian-only zone after construction, enhancing both visitor experience and safety. To support local businesses, wayfinding signage will be installed and updated maps will be established in coordination with the City of San Antonio, ensuring smooth traffic flow and accessibility during this transition.

Alamo Promenade

This thoughtfully designed area south of Plaza de Valero will feature statues commemorating significant figures, benches for relaxation, additional trees for shade, and historical signage. These elements will create an inviting space that bridges the connection between Commerce St. and Plaza de Valero, offering both a place of reflection and an educational journey through Texas’s storied past.

The current construction fence footprint at Plaza de Valero will expand south to Commerce St. sometime AFTER Labor Day weekend. Access for pedestrians to traverse East-to-West across Alamo St. will be at both Blum St. and Commerce St.

South Alamo Street - Sewer Bypass Construction Notice

Map of public works including pipes in Alamo area

Work began restoring the sanitary sewer pipes on S. Alamo starting Monday, July 8, 2024.

To facilitate this work, a bypass will be constructed from Navarro, down Crockett St., through Alamo Plaza, and S. Alamo to La Villita. The restoration and bypass are expected to last approximately 8 weeks. The bypass pipe will be positioned behind the edge of the sidewalk and installed under driveways, cross-streets, sidewalks, and ADA ramps at all crossings.

Throughout the construction period, one-way southbound travel will be maintained through the S. Alamo corridor. Additionally, two lanes will remain available through Market St. at the S. Alamo intersection for ongoing utility and storm drain construction.

Mission Gate & Lunette

Letters Mission San Antonio de Valero on concrete gate outside of Alamo Church

The Mission Gate and Lunette interpretation is now available to view. There is surrounding supplemental work still taking place. This week, paver work continues and the installation of utility lines, including water tie-ins, storm lines and electrical.

Plaza de Valero

While we've worked hard to stay on schedule, unforeseen challenges have impacted the opening of Plaza de Valero (pictured below). We appreciate your patience and understanding as we ensure the highest quality for this project.

Construction Update: We are progressing with pavilion. Underground utility tie in took place this and next week. Irrigation installation is underway, along with the installation of a 127,000 gallon cistern.

Paseo del Alamo

The Paseo del Alamo project, connecting the Riverwalk and the Alamo, is moving forward. Since January 15, 2024, construction fencing has been erected to secure and define the construction area. New rendering windscreens were recently placed at this location to help show how the space will appear. (Rendering below) Access to the Ripley's Believe It or Not! gift shop remains open to pedestrians.

Texas Cavaliers Education Center

The demolition of the Alamo Annex has been completed, clearing the way for the new construction of the Texas Cavaliers Education Center. With the site now clear, construction of the new center, scheduled to open in Fall 2025, has begun. This phase involves encapsulating the historic Alamo Hall within the new center, integrating it into the state-of-the-art facility. The construction process will ensure that the Alamo Hall is preserved and enhanced as part of the new center, providing a rich learning environment for students.

Red banner with arrow to show direction of Alamo Plaza Shops and Restaurants

Wayfinding Signage: In partnership with the City of San Antonio, signs are being placed to promote local businesses in the affected area, ensuring visitors remain informed that these establishments are still operational and accessible. Wayfinding signs have been strategically placed to navigate around the Alamo District efficiently.

Wayfinding Map: Thanks to the collaboration with Visit San Antonio, we have developed an Alamo Plaza Wayfinding Map. This resource is designed to enhance your visit by providing clear and comprehensive navigation through the area. You can download a copy of the map here.

Please note that this map is also in the process of being updated to include businesses on Houston St. between Alamo St. and Losoya St.

Extended Hours for Greater Access: The pathway through the Alamo Arcade is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., ensuring continuous access from near the Alamo Church to the Menger Hotel.

Safety and Accessibility
The safety of our community, visitors, and team members remains our top priority. We sincerely thank you for respecting these safety measures and refraining from entering restricted zones.

Your Valued Input
Your insights and suggestions have proven invaluable to us. We're dedicated to keeping you informed every step of the way, and we welcome your input in refining our communication process. If you know of any additional contacts who should receive our weekly updates, please don't hesitate to let us know. Your support in keeping our community well-informed is greatly appreciated.

Staying Connected
As we move forward with our construction endeavors, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you might have. We're here to address any inquiries and provide you with the information you need. Your enthusiasm and patience inspire us, and we're excited to continue this journey together.

In addition to these weekly construction updates, the Alamo Trust, Inc. also hosts quarterly breakfast updates, bi-weekly calls, and joins the City of San Antonio downtown construction updates. If you would like to be added to the distribution listings for the quarterly in person breakfast meetings or virtual bi-weekly calls, please reach out to JHuhn@theAlamo.org.

Thank you once again for being part of our community's progress. We look forward to the day when these enhancements will further enrich the Alamo and downtown San Antonio experience for generations to come.