City Council gets update on redeveloping the Alamo

Learning about shrine's history key to master plan

SAN ANTONIO – The first step of redeveloping the Alamo and Alamo Plaza is to look at the past.

The Alamo Master Plan Management Committee, on Wednesday, updated city leaders about the next step to rework the Alamo grounds.

"What we've been asked to do is re-imagine this place, to go forward to the future," said George Skarmaes, of Preservation Design Partnership.

Skarmaes said during a presentation to City Council that if they are putting together a master plan worthy of a World Heritage designation, they have to learn about the Alamo's history.

Committee members announced Wednesday that they are launching an archaeological study of the Alamo grounds. The first test site will be right across the street from the Alamo.

"We want to discover what is beneath the surface," said District 1 Councilman, Roberto Trevino, who is a committee member. "What's going on? What should we do? What is the most appropriate project for the Alamo?"

When work gets underway next week, crews will have to close off one lane on Alamo Street.

Archaeologists will update the public at the site and online at ReimagineTheAlamo.org, on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Trevino said surrounding businesses will get updated, too.

"We're going to be inclusive of those folks, and make sure we're not surprising anybody," Trevino said. "I would say it's just way too early to know exactly what we're going to be doing."

Trevino said the committee, for now, will continue to work on the master plan, but he said the process could take some time.

There is a preliminary date to start construction in 2021, but Trevino said that could change. 


About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.