Alamo Area Construction News - October 18

October 18, 2024

Map of Alamo area construction in October 2024

Traffic Restrictions in the Alamo District: Vehicle access has been restricted on the Alamo grounds since last year, particularly from Commerce St. to Crockett St. and along Crockett St. from Alamo Plaza to Losoya St. Also, on Houston St. between Losoya St. and Alamo Plz. These limitations have been crucial in allowing construction activities to proceed smoothly.

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.

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, new pavers, and landscaping to enrich the area. Excitingly, the corridor between the Mission Gate and Lunette and the Menger Hotel is now permanently open, providing seamless access to this significant part of the Alamo!(Pictured below)

Paved walkway connecting Mission Gate area in front of Alamo Church to Menger Hotel

Losoya St. to Alamo Plaza Corridor - Important Notice

Starting in early November, this street-level corridor will close to accommodate the construction of the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum. During this time, pedestrians can access Alamo Plaza via Crockett Street and Houston Street.

Please note, the Losoya Street Market will remain open and fully accessible throughout the corridor closure.

Houston St. North Street Scape

Map of Houston Street area impacted by Alamo construction

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.

Visitor Center and Museum (VCM)

The demolition work for the Visitor Center and Museum (VCM) project 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.

Also, thank you again to everyone who joined us for the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum Construction Kickoff Ceremony earlier this month. For those who couldn’t attend, you can watch a summary video of the event and the full live stream.

large texas flag over three story building

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, and several trees throughout Plaza de Valero.

In the near future, the construction fenceline in the southern area of Plaza de Valero will be adjusted a few feet to the south. 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 installing pavers in Plaza de Valero

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. 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.

This week the relocation of existing utilities continues. 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.

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.

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 to include businesses on Houston St. between Alamo St. and Losoya St.

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.