Alamo Area Construction News - June 28

June 28, 2024

Map of Alamo area construction in June 2024

Traffic Restrictions in the Alamo District: Since November 1, 2023, vehicle access has been limited in the Alamo District, especially on Commerce St. to Crockett St., and along Crockett St. from Alamo Plz. to Losoya St. These restrictions have been instrumental in ensuring the smooth continuation of construction activities.

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

A protective fence parameter 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, maintaining uninterrupted pedestrian flow.
Defined pedestrian lanes are now in place from North to South on Alamo Plaza and East to West on Crockett St., marking the western boundary of the Alamo District.
An alternative pedestrian route near the Menger Hotel stretches from North to South, providing a direct passage through the Alamo Arcade and linking Alamo Plaza with the River Center Mall vicinity.

Houston St. North Street Scape Closure - IMPORTANT UPDATE

Map of Houston Street area impacted by Alamo construction

View of Houston Street lined with trees and buildings

As part of the ongoing $550 million Alamo Plan, significant enhancements are being made to the Alamo and its surrounding areas. Effective Monday, July 8th, 2024, Houston Street between Losoya Street and Alamo Street will be closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate the construction of the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled to open in 2027.

This section of Houston Street will be transformed into a pedestrian-only zone post-construction, enhancing the visitor experience and safety. Access on Peacock Alley, north of Houston Street, will remain available. To support local businesses, comprehensive wayfinding signage and maps will be established in coordination with the City of San Antonio, ensuring smooth traffic flow and accessibility during this transition.

Small Business Construction Support Grant Program - IMPORTANT UPDATE

The City of San Antonio is offering grants up to $35,000 to small businesses impacted by downtown construction, including the Alamo area. Businesses in eight designated construction zones, active from June 2020 to February 2023, can apply. Eligible businesses must demonstrate revenue loss in 2023 compared to 2022 and meet other criteria such as a minimum of $10,000 in 2022 gross sales. The city aims to mitigate construction impacts with this $1.45 million initiative, supporting businesses reliant on customer foot traffic. Applications are open until July 15, with grants expected to be disbursed by September 30. Full eligibility details and the grant application can be found at cosaconstructiongrant2024.com.

Plaza de Valero Area

July 5th Celebration Update: While we've worked hard to stay on schedule, unforeseen challenges mean the July 5th opening of Plaza de Valero will be delayed. Portions of the Plaza will open later this summer, with full completion expected by early Fall 2024. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we ensure the highest quality for this project.

Our July 5th Stars and Stripes Salute at the Alamo will still take place, now in Alamo Plaza, featuring the Air Force Rock Band and a Drone Show over the Alamo Church.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support. We will keep you updated and look forward to welcoming you to Plaza de Valero later this year.

Construction Update: We are progressing with steel and welding work at the pavilion. Irrigation installation is underway, along with the installation of a cistern. Next week, the work will continue with the steel and welding at the pavilion, starting canopy and deck work.

Fencing Adjustment on Alamo Street: Contractors have recently adjusted the fencing at the southern end of Plaza de Valero, extending it approximately 50 feet southward. This modification is designed to provide additional storage space for construction materials. Despite this change, a designated pedestrian pathway will be maintained between the fenced areas, ensuring safe passage. Furthermore, the parking of construction vehicles south of the new fencing will be considerably reduced to alleviate congestion and maintain orderly traffic flow in the area.

Construction of the pavilion stage in Plaza de Valero with a crane above it

South Alamo Street - Sewer Bypass Construction Notice - IMPORTANT UPDATE

Map of public works including pipes in Alamo area

Work will begin 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 (MGL)

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, we are also installing utility lines, including water tie-ins, storm lines, and coordinating gas line connections. For the upcoming week, the focus will shift to continuing utility line installations and fine grading.

Paseo del Alamo Progress: 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. 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. (Rendering below)

Entrance to education center with wildflowers in the gardens

Visitor Center and Museum (VCM): The scaffolding and scrim (a rendering of the future center) for the VCM on the sidewalk front have been erected, concealing the ongoing construction efforts. The new Visitor Center and Museum is on track to open in 2027.

Scrim of future Alamo Visitor Center and Museum

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

Wayfinding Signage: Wayfinding signs have been strategically placed to navigate around the Alamo District efficiently, with additional signage near the Rivercenter mall to facilitate indoor navigation.

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.

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.

Supporting Local Businesses:
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.

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.

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.