Alamo Area Construction News - November 8

November 8, 2024

Map of Alamo area construction in November 2024

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.

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.

Alamo Trust, Inc. Quarterly Neighborhood Stakeholder Breakfast - Important Notice

Exterior of a downtown office building with red awnings and red canopies covering outdoor patio tables

On November 20th at 8:00 AM, Alamo Trust, Inc. will host its quarterly Neighborhood Stakeholder Breakfast at our offices, located at 106 Jefferson St., 5th Floor in the Burns Building. We invite you to join us for an update on the Alamo Plan and a chance to have your questions addressed by the Alamo Trust, Inc. team.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

Mission Gate & Lunette

The Mission Gate and Lunette interpretation debuted earlier this year, offering a new perspective on the Alamo’s historic grounds. Supplemental enhancements are still underway, including the installation of additional lighting, irrigation, new pavers, and landscaping to enrich the area. Excitingly, the corridor between the Mission Gate and Lunette and the Menger Hotel is permanently open, providing seamless access to this significant part of the Alamo!

Construction workers laying pavers outside Mission Gate and Lunette

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. As part of these efforts, Houston Street adjacent to the VCM has been closed to facilitate logistics. 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.

Demolished Palace Theater building next to Crockett and Woolworth buildings

Plaza de Valero

Despite our best efforts to stay on schedule, unforeseen challenges have delayed the opening of Plaza de Valero. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to deliver the highest quality experience for this important project, now set to open in December 2024.

Construction is progressing with ongoing work on the pavilion, sub slab pours, and the installation of pavers, irrigation systems, utilities, handrails, and several trees throughout Plaza de Valero.

The construction fenceline in the southern area of Plaza de Valero was adjusted a few feet to the south a few weeks ago. This minor shift will not impact pedestrian traffic on Blum St., and visitors will still have full access to navigate the area safely.

Construction workers setting out pavers in Plaza de Valero walkway

Alamo Promenade

This thoughtfully designed area, located just south of Plaza de Valero, will begin construction in November and feature statues honoring key historical figures, shaded seating areas, and interpretive signage. The additional trees and commemorative elements will create a welcoming space for relaxation and reflection, offering a seamless connection between Commerce Street and Plaza de Valero, while guiding visitors on an educational journey through Texas’s rich history.

Please note, the construction fence footprint at Plaza de Valero has expanded south to Commerce Street. Pedestrian access across Alamo Street from east to west will remain available at both Blum Street and Commerce Street.

Rendering of Alamo Promenade with a family posing for a photo in front of a photographer

Paseo del Alamo

The Paseo del Alamo project, connecting the Riverwalk and the Alamo, will begin construction in November. 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.

Child looking at drawings of leaves on the floor by a water feature

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 building. 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.

Construction area showing steel beams where the second floor of a building will be built

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.

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.