Hays St. micro-brewery opponents call for public vote

State statute governs the sale of public parks

SAN ANTONIO – Opponents of a planned micro-brewery and restaurant adjacent to the Hays Street Bridge said a state statute that governs the sale of public parks, calls for a public vote.  

However, City Council already approved the $295,000 sale in August to Eugene Simor, owner of the Alamo Beer Company.

That did not stop about two dozen opponents from taking to the steps of City Hall in a pouring rain Monday, armed with 2,800 signatures by registered voters on dozens of petitions.

"They're wet, so they'll carry more weight," said George Houston, among those who spoke at a news conference.

"We expect a fair reading from the city attorney and the city clerk and the city council," Houston said.

The 1.6 acre site had been donated to the city to become a park to coincide with the restoration of the historic bridge just east of downtown.

"They agreed to donate the property. The only thing they said was, name it after our family," said Nettie Hinton, who helped make the restoration possible.

However, City Attorney Michael Bernard said the land was never designated a park.

"It was city-owned land. It was never a park, so the statute does not apply," Bernard said.

"What has happened now is the city is now saying, we did really say it was going to be a park," Hinton said.

Simor said he is confident the project will progress "as approved by City Council."

He said he expects to break ground soon, then begin construction the first of the year.

For a list of recent stories Jessie Degollado has done, click here.


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.