Alamo Area Construction News - May 9

Construction of the Texas Cavaliers Education Center continues to make strong progress. Structural steel framing is actively underway along both the east and west sides of the historic Alamo Hall building. With the site now fully cleared, construction of the new facility—scheduled to open to the public in March 2026—is well in motion. This phase includes the thoughtful integration of Alamo Hall into the state-of-the-art center.

The construction process has been carefully designed to preserve and enhance Alamo Hall, ensuring it remains a vital part of the new education complex and providing a dynamic learning environment for students across Texas and beyond.

As momentum builds, we are excited to announce an upcoming milestone: a Topping Out Ceremony will be held on May 14 at 11 a.m. behind the Alamo Church. This time-honored tradition marks the placement of the final beam atop the structure and symbolizes the steady progress of this transformative project.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this historic step forward for the Alamo Plan!

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.

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.

Additionally, two cranes are being delivers on May 19th and will be erected through May 22nd for work on the VCM and the Lower Paseo. 

The restoration of the Alamo Cenotaph is underway, with scaffolding carefully assembled to begin the project. Recently, laser cleaning and non-pressurized steam cleaning was performed on the monument’s stones near the base.

This week, select stones have continued to be gently and carefully removed to allow access to the interior of the structure, enabling restoration work to proceed with delicate precision. Interior brick infill that has been causing damage has continued to be removed and will later be replaced. No materials will be taken off the Alamo grounds, and the full restoration remains on track for completion before fall 2025.

You can view the latest video update on this process on our social media or YouTube Channel. 

Updates on the restoration progress, as we preserve the monument in its place, will be included in our regular construction updates.

For more information and to follow the live restoration process, please visit the Cenotaph Live Cam.

The Paseo del Alamo project, designed to seamlessly connect the River Walk and the Alamo, is continuing its active construction. Construction fencing and rendering windscreens are now in place to secure the site and showcase the vision for the completed space. Pedestrian access to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! gift shop remains open.

Current work includes the installation of underground components for future water features, as well as foundation work for elevators that will enhance ADA accessibility. Construction activity will continue as the area is prepared for its full transformation. The project remains on schedule for completion in early 2026.

The adjacent 18-Pounder interpretation of the Paseo del Alamo was recently demolished to make way for its future iteration, which will enhance the visitor experience and align with the project's overall vision. 

Additionally, two cranes are being delivers on May 19th and will be erected through May 22nd for work on the VCM and the Lower Paseo. 

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 2025.

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.

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.