Alamo Area Construction News - July 18

Construction began in the northernmost right lane of Commerce Street, adjacent to the Alamo Promenade site. This temporary lane closure is needed to support key improvements in the area, including the installation of new pavers and utility upgrades. The lane will remain closed through later this year to allow for the full completion of the Alamo Promenade. Please note that a crosswalk moving east-to-west across the intersection of Alamo St. and E. Commerce will still be accessible. We are working quickly to add new signage to this location to help ease pedestrian traffic. 

The Alamo Promenade, located just south of Plaza de Valero, will soon transform into a thoughtfully designed space featuring statues honoring key historical figures, shaded seating areas, and interpretive signage. This welcoming area will include additional trees and commemorative elements, offering a serene environment for relaxation and reflection while seamlessly connecting Commerce Street and Plaza de Valero. Visitors will be guided on an educational journey through Texas’s rich history. The project is scheduled for completion in late November 2025.

The demolition work for the Visitor Center and Museum (VCM), scheduled to open in 2027, is progressing and construction began on Oct. 1, 2024. As part of these efforts, Houston Street adjacent to the VCM has been closed to facilitate logistics. Currently, façade support is continuing to move forward on the Crockett Building and Woolworth Building for the adaptive reuse of these structures for the future VCM.

Construction on the Texas Cavaliers Education Center continues to move steadily ahead and is on schedule for completion on March 6, 2026.

This week, crews are making progress on both levels of the building, with ongoing work on steel framing, roofing, and wall insulation. Key infrastructure—including plumbing, electrical systems, storm drainage, and elevator framing—is also advancing, while exterior wall prep, limestone veneer, and window flashing installation are underway.

As part of the project, special care is being taken to preserve and integrate Alamo Hall into the new complex. Interior work inside Alamo Hall continues, with electrical systems being installed. Once complete, the education center will offer a dynamic space for students from across Texas and beyond to explore and engage with history.

The restoration of the Alamo Cenotaph is well underway. Scaffolding has been carefully assembled around the monument, and recent work has included laser cleaning and non-pressurized steam cleaning on the base stones to gently remove buildup while preserving the integrity of the stonework.

Select stones have been gently removed to provide access to the interior, allowing restoration efforts to continue with delicate precision. Damaging interior brick infill has been taken out and will later be replaced with more appropriate materials. As always, no materials will be removed from the Alamo grounds, and the full restoration remains on track for completion before fall 2025.

You can view the latest video update on the restoration process via our social media channels or the Alamo’s YouTube Channel.

Updates on the Cenotaph’s progress, as we preserve this monument in its historic location, will continue in our regular construction notices.

To follow the restoration live, visit the Cenotaph Live Cam.

The Paseo del Alamo project, designed to create a seamless connection between the River Walk and the Alamo—is moving steadily forward. Construction fencing and rendering windscreens are now in place to secure the site and offer a preview of the completed space. Pedestrian access to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! gift shop remains open throughout the project.

As of this week, crews are continuing foundation work for the future water features and have installed piping to the small cistern. Excavation of the elevator pit is underway, along with initial rough-ins for the public restrooms. 

Looking ahead, work will include concrete and rebar placement for the pump room grade beams, continued progress on the water feature foundations and cistern.

The former 18-Pounder interpretation has been removed to make way for a future version that will align with the redesigned visitor experience. The full project remains on track for completion in 2026.

In 2018, the San Antonio City Council approved the transformation of a key portion of Houston Street—which includes part of the original Alamo Mission and battlefield footprint—into a pedestrian-only zone. This initiative aims to enhance both visitor experience and public safety in one of the most historically significant areas of downtown.

To support accessibility and nearby businesses during this transition, wayfinding signage and updated pedestrian maps will be implemented in coordination with the City of San Antonio.

Pedestrian access along the north sidewalk of this corridor will remain open throughout construction of the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled for completion in 2027. However, fencing within the roadway will remain in place during this time to safely accommodate ongoing work.

As part of continued progress on the Alamo Plan, we want to provide early notice that Houston Street—from North Alamo Street to Avenue E, in front of the Garcia Federal Building, is expected to be closed by late 2025. While the official closure date has not yet been determined, we are committed to keeping the community informed.

Once the timeline is finalized, we will share confirmed dates and provide as much advance notice as possible to ensure a smooth transition for all affected.

Thanks to the collaboration with Visit San Antonio, we have developed an updated 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. Additionally, a physical copy can be obtained by visitors at the Alamo Welcome Center.

Our General Contractor, Clark Guido, who is managing many of the projects related to the Alamo Plan, has prepared a letter for the Alamo's surrounding neighbors. This letter includes important information and points of contact should you wish to reach out directly to Clark Guido during the ongoing construction.

We want to ensure that you feel informed and supported throughout this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Alamo directly. We are here to assist you and appreciate your understanding as we work to enhance this historic site.

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.

Signage for the area around the future Alamo Promenade and Commerce St. area are being printed and will be installed soon. 

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 soon.

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.