The City of San Antonio is calling for a master plan for a re-interpretation of Alamo Plaza. Last fall, members of a panel met in an lively debate at UTSA about the future of the Alamo and Alamo Plaza. Diverse groups were outspoken about the issue.
District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal said ideally many entities will be involved with the goal of giving the Alamo a more appropriate presence and scope in the center of the city.
"This is a place that means a lot to people for a variety of reasons," Bernal said. "But it’s very very near and dear to their hearts. And it’s not something you can treat in a trivial way and it’s not something you can treat lightly. So we want to make sure that we get it right."
Bernal presented a Council Consideration Request to city council in November, asking that the process begin for developing a comprehensive master plan.
He said it should address physical improvements, interpretive signage, and traffic calming opportunities and should look at recommendations by previous city leaders who started studies on a redesign many years ago.
Sue Ann Pemberton, president of the San Antonio Conservation Society, said within the proposed physical improvements there are many opinions.
"Simple things that could happen for better interpretation and that have been recommend (include) having a better paving so that you understand what was the actual grounds," she said.
Bernal emphasized that no action has been taken and no money has been earmarked for the project. He said funding, as well as buy-in from different parties -- including possibly the federal government -- must be secured along the way as the master plan is developed.
City officials say a recommendation for the committee structure will be presented Feb. 18. The committee's composition would likely include representation from the General Land Office, the city, area property owners, and others, many of whom have already expressed interest to the city.
