Doseum looks to fix parking problems

As the Doseum draws larger crowds, parking is having trouble keeping up

SAN ANTONIO – The Doseum, San Antonio's museum for kids has been a big hit since it opened its doors on Broadway for the first time this summer.

However, with the crowds come the cars and problems with parking.

Trey Jacobson, a consultant for the Doseum said it can be especially tough on weekends and during big events.

"We've counted over 100 cars that have spilled out into the street in addition to the 216 parking spaces that are in the lot," said Jacobson. "The Doseum has actually taken its own volunteers and its own staff and moved them out of their own parking lot, to keep them away. to allow for those visitors to get closer."

And, when the 216 parking spots are taken, people start parking their vehicles along the neighborhood streets, some even parking as far as a quarter of a mile away.

"Families and particularly, those with young children with strollers are actually having to walk all the way in," said Jacobson.

Jacobson said to fix the problem, the Doseum is trying to add 55 spots in the Mahncke Park Neighborhood, but some neighbors are concerned about that.

San Antonio resident David Alcantar said he believes the Doseum is busy now because it's still new.

"It's not an easy solution," Alcantar said. "But, I think in this specific situation, my position would be that in order to advance the cultural aspect of the city, maintain that the idea of a city on the rise, I think you kind of have to sacrifice a little bit."

Ariel Rosen, a Doseum visitor, said she hadn't had trouble parking.

"I'm kind of on the fence with it," said Rosen. "Whatever is best for the neighborhood."

Jacobson said the zoning commission is going to consider a request to conditionally rezone property adjacent to the Doseum for parking spot on Sept.  1.

We contacted the Mahncke Park Neighborhood Association president and he told KSAT that they would like to keep the neighborhood "residential."


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.