Family Service 'transformation luncheon' talks Alamo past, present, future

SAN ANTONIO – Family Service Association kicked off its "journeys of transformation" luncheon series Thursday.

The topic of the luncheon was the Alamo's past, present and future. 

Leaders from the Alamo Master Plan Management Committee talked about the community impact Alamo Plaza will continue to have ahead of archeological work beginning at the site next week.

"We're at the very beginning. We don't know that much about what it's going to look like, but we want to be sure that because of its importance and because of how sacred the site is for all Texans, that we do it right," said Becky Dinnin, the director of the Alamo.

Dinnin sat alongside Alamo master planner George Skarmeas to answer questions about the transformation of Alamo Plaza in the coming years. The two said the project is currently in the "homework" stage. That means they're trying to figure out all the pieces of the site's puzzle, decide what needs to be done and answer questions that have lingered for decades.

"We will start doing the archeology dig next week. We expect to find some things that will help define what we can do where and what's most appropriate in those places," Dinnin said.

Tourists will not be blocked off from Alamo Plaza during the archeological study. Instead, they are welcome to be a part of the process. Progression reports will be given online at reimaginethealamo.org.

"We want this to be a community event," Dinnin said. "A learning experience for all of us. We're very excited. We want people to come around and watch."

Skarmeas said he's determined to figure out what's best for the World Heritage Site, which could include things like new buildings, a museum or a more visually attracting entrance.

The first Reimagine the Alamo public workshop is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in the Stars at Night Ballroom.