SAN ANTONIO – Fiesta campers have staked out the same spots for their tents for years. Their aim is to get close to the parade route and beat the crowds to get a good curbside parade view.
For some campers, this is the last year they'll be able to camp in the area under the I-35 and I-37 bridges near the Pearl and downtown.
Art Reinhardt, assistant director of the Department of Transportation and Capital Improvements, explained why the city decided to move forward with a landscaping beautification project.
"In 2012, City Council approved an initiative in agreement with TxDOT for the city to start managing some of these right of ways in the downtown area. The grant was approved in 2013. We've gone through the design phase and we've authorized the construction phase," Reinhardt said.
Reinhardt said there are five locations scattered throughout the downtown area. Signs placed near the soon-to-be-beautified project locations tell the story.
"The area in question right now. We have a landscaping project coming. We put signs up there (Tuesday) actually to notify folks for next year this area will no longer be accessible for the unofficial setup that folks have been doing," Reinhardt said.
He said he realizes that not everyone will like the beautification plans, especially those who have camped along the parade route for decades.
"That's why we're doing this a year ahead of time. This is for Fiesta 2017, providing enough notice so they can plan accordingly and find those new traditions," Reinhardt said.