SAN ANTONIO -- The River Walk expansion has turned into quite an inspiration for CPS Energy.

What used to help power most of San Antonio for years may soon bring new life and energy to residents south of downtown.

"We had power generated from here for about 100 years," said Scott Smith of CPS Energy.

On the edge of Roosevelt Park sits the Old Mission Road Power Plant.

"At one time, most of the power for San Antonio came from this site," said Smith.

The plant shut down in 2003 and the building remained closed and unused until recently. The dream was to turn the old building and its four-acre property into a mixed-used complex complete with apartments, retails, a meeting space and a virtual library.

"Where people can gather, walk, talk, get some coffee or cold tea and look at artwork," Smith said. "We feel this is a community initiative, something best for the community."

The bill to redevelop the area doesn't come cheap. The price tag is estimated at $10 million and will be paid with ratepayers' money, but CPS Energy believes the project is worth it and will be able to recover money once they secure developers.

"This project is getting worldwide attention," Smith said.

Recycling material from the old buildings is also a priority. Any metal, iron or copper will be sold. Most of the unused material will be used by artists in some form of artwork to be displayed on the grounds of the Mission Road Power Plant Project.

Upstairs in the power plant, the gutting of the building is well underway and the views from the window show a country-like setting toward downtown.

"You have this view of downtown San Antonio and you don't see it in too many places," said Smith.

Remaining will be the red brick buildings and a highly-visual smokestack, which are eligible for consideration of historic landmarks.

"We have a wonderful thing going south," said Smith.

Phase one of the River Walk Mission South Project is expected to be finished by spring of 2010, while the Mission Plant Project could take up to five years to complete, Smith said.