Alamo Area Construction News - March 14

March 14, 2025

Map of Alamo area construction in March 2025

Traffic Restrictions in the Alamo District:
As part of ongoing construction efforts, vehicle access remains restricted in the Alamo District. The affected areas include Commerce Street to Crockett Street, and along Crockett Street from Alamo Plaza to Losoya Street. Additionally, Houston Street between Losoya and Alamo Plaza is also impacted. These traffic limitations are essential to ensure the safe and efficient progress of construction activities in the area as it is transformed into a pedestrian-only space.

Please note that the adjacent map currently shows fences on the southern sidewalk of Crockett St., west of Plaza de Valero. However, this is no longer the case, and the map will be updated in next week’s newsletter.

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

A protective fence 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.
Dedicated pedestrian flow is established on the north side of Houston Street, between Alamo Street and Losoya Street.

New Wayfinding Signage Added

Visitors standing in front of a construction fence wrapped with wayfinding signage

New signage has been installed in Alamo Plaza to improve connectivity with the business access corridors to the north and south, including Houston Street, Crockett Street, and the River Walk. Positioned between the future Visitor Center and Museum and the Alamo Church, the signage is prominently visible as visitors enter and exit the heart of Alamo Plaza.

New Wayfinding Map

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.

Cenotaph - Restoration

The restoration of the Alamo Cenotaph is underway, with scaffolding carefully assembled to begin the project. This week, laser cleaning was performed on the monument’s stones near the base. You can view the latest video update on this process on our social media accounts or YouTube Channel here.

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.

Plaza de Valero

The Alamo will host Saddle Up!, a special gathering in Plaza de Valero on March 29th. In celebration of Texas’ rich ranching heritage, the Remember the Alamo Foundation is launching the Alamo Statewide Stampede—a public fundraising challenge among all 254 Texas counties to see which can rally the most support for the Alamo.

To accommodate the event, temporary fencing will be installed, restricting access to Plaza de Valero beginning on the evening of Thursday, March 27th, and remaining in place until late Saturday evening. However, access around the area will still be available, with wayfinding signage in place to help visitors navigate the temporary closure. Alamo Trust, Inc. staff will be meeting with affected business owners next week, but please reach out in advance with any questions.

Covered pavilion stage in front of large grass area in community park

Paseo del Alamo

The Paseo del Alamo project, designed to connect the Riverwalk and the Alamo, has entered its early construction phase. Since the beginning of the year, construction fencing has been erected to secure and define the area. New rendering windscreens have been installed to showcase the vision for the completed space. Pedestrian access to the Ripley's Believe It or Not! gift shop remains open.

As construction progresses, continued demolition of the Paseo will take place to prepare for its transformation.

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.

Yellow construction truck and workers on a dirt area

Visitor Center and Museum (VCM)

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.

This week, exterior façade support work continues with steel beams installed along the perimeter of the Crockett Building and recently initiated on the Woolworth Building.

Additionally, the fenced parameter for this project has been extended into Alamo Plaza. Please refer to the updated stakeholder map at the top of this notice for further details.

Multiple tall cranes outside of Crockett Building under construction

Alamo Promenade

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.

Dirt area of a street under construction in an urban area

Texas Cavaliers Education Center

The demolition of the Alamo Annex has been completed, paving the way for the new Texas Cavaliers Education Center. Structural steel framing work is continuing to the west side of the Alamo Hall bulding. With the site now clear, construction of the new center, scheduled to open in late 2025, has begun. This phase involves integrating the historic Alamo Hall into the state-of-the-art facility.

The construction process will ensure that Alamo Hall is preserved and enhanced as part of the new center, providing a rich learning environment for students.

Large yellow crane hovering over a construction site

Houston North Streetscape

Red brick sidewalk area with tree planters

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. Pedestrian access through this corridor will remain available throughout the construction of the Visitor Center and Museum.

Clark/Guido Neighbor Letter

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

Red fence wrap noting pedestrians welcome and businesses open

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.