Downtown San Antonio in 2020: Year in pictures

December 29, 2020 By Heron Staff Leave a Comment

Facebook Tweet Print Email

Downtown San Antonio in 2020 was dominated by images of a struggling economy amid a pandemic, and of protest. There were also signs of progress.

Here’s a look at what transpired as captured by Heron staff and contributing freelance photographers. These images were published either on this website, or on the @sanantonioheron or @downtownsanantonio Instagrams.

Participants walk down Martin Luther King Drive during the Martin Luther King, Jr. March on Jan. 20, 2020. <b><em>Photo by V. Finster | Heron contributor</em></b>

Robbie Thompson, 74, holds a poster before the start of the Martin Luther King, Jr. March on Jan. 20, 2020. Thompson has attended every march, which was in its 33rd year as a City of San Antonio event. <b><em>Photo by V. Finster | Heron contributor</em></b>

Charles Thorton, 66, watches the crowd walk by during the Martin Luther King, Jr. March on Jan. 20, 2020. <b><em>Photo by V. Finster | Heron contributor</em></b>

The Law Offices of George A. Scharmen stands in the shadows of Heritage Plaza apartment construction in January 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

The Alamo is closed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, because of the coronavirus. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Commerce Street is nearly empty amid coronavirus on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron contributor</em></b>

Commerce Street is nearly empty amid coronavirus on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron contributor</em></b>

Commerce Street is nearly empty amid coronavirus on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron contributor</em></b>

Alamo Plaza is nearly empty on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 amid coronavirus pandemic. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Mike Ghori, owner of El Vaqueros, which sells "custom-fitted boots, hats and orthotics," a victim of the looting the day before, imparts wisdom to some young volunteers, including Rylie Ruiz of Burbank on May 31, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Pharaoh Clark, 32, speaks over a megaphone to Black Lives Matter protestors Thursday, June 4, 2020, in front of the Bexar County Courthouse. <b><em>Photo by V. Finster | Heron contributor</em></b>

The Arneson River Theatre is packed with Black Lives Matter protestors Monday afternoon, June 8, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Isaiah Alonzo | Heron contributor</em></b>

Organizer Antonio Lee gestures to the crowd during a Black Lives Matter protest at the Torch of Friendship on Monday, June 8, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Isaiah Alonzo | Heron contributor</em></b>

Armed men guard the 100 block of Broadway on Saturday, June 6, 2020, from what they describe as potential rioters. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Black Lives Matter protest organized by the Ambitious Young Activists makes its way up South Alamo Street in King William on the way to La Villita on Monday afternoon, June 8, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

The Black Lives Matter protest and march organized by the Ambitious Young Activists makes its way through King William on the way to La Villita Monday afternoon, June 8, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Protestors gather at the Bexar County Courthouse on Friday afternoon, June 6, 2020, during the seventh day of demonstrations in downtown San Antonio following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. <b><em>Photo by Isaiah Alonzo | Heron contributor</em></b>

Black Lives Matter protestors sing along to "Glory" by John Legend and Common during the Humans for Humanity rally against police brutality on June 6, 2020, at police headquarters on North San Rosa Avenue. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

The Cthulhu Tattoo shop on East Travis Street on June 2, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Advocates for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue downtown sit around the statue as police officers stand by on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Columbus Park. <b><em>Photo by Michelle Delrey | Heron contributor</em></b>

Ceiba (center) speaks to a group of roughly 50 advocates for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue as Diana Uriegas (right) offers a sage cleanse during a protest Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Columbus Park. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Diners sit at Casa Rio during lunchtime on Sept. 24, 2020, as River Walk restaurants were attempting to return to some semblance of normalcy. <b><em>Photo by Victoria Martinez | Heron contributor</em></b>

Schilo’s on East Commerce Street makes every other table available for dine-in in this photo taken Sept. 24, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Victoria Martinez | Heron contributor</em></b>

Caleb James, a resident of Government Hill since 2019, leads a protest in front of the Frost Tower on Saturday, July 18, 2020. At one time, a trust managed by Frost Bank and other entities were exploring converting residential homes in the neighborhood into a Starbucks. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

A person helps load chairs sold from the estate sale at Cadillac Bar downtown on South Flores Street on Oct. 3, 2020. Items sold included chairs, tables, bar stools, posters and other items. <b><em>Photo by Victoria Martinez | Heron contributor</em></b>

New mural titled "Touch" by Suzy González adorns the wall outside Herweck's Art Supply on Broadway. <b><em>Photo by Chris Stokes | Heron contributor</em></b>

A large cloud hovers over the Union Pacific East Year as seen from North Pine Street. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

Hopscotch, the new immersive interactive exhibit at the Travis Park Plaza Building, held a media preview on Oct. 1, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Stephanie Marquez | Heron contributor</em></b>

The newly installed sculpture "Door of Equality" by Mexican artist Sabastián is installed at the San Pedro roundabout on Oct. 29, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Stephanie Marquez | Heron contributor</em></b>

Kids play basketball at the Labor Street Park court in October 2020. The San Antonio Housing Authority has been redeveloping the community since the Clinton administration. <a href="https://saheron.com/victoria-commons-saha-master-plan-final-phases/">Read more.</a> <b><em>Photo by Stephanie Marquez | Heron contributor</em></b>

Supporters take to the streets in downtown San Antonio to celebrate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' win on Nov. 7, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Chris Stokes | Heron contributor</em></b>

San Antonians caravan through downtown to celebrate President-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's win on Nov. 7, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Stephanie Marquez | Heron contributor</em></b>

Housing advocates protest outside Steel House Lofts where San Antonio Housing Authority CEO David Nisivoccia lives on Nov. 21, 2020. <a href="https://saheron.com/saha-headquarters-protest-alazan-courts/">Read more.</a> <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

The Garcia family enjoys fake flurries courtesy of Centro San Antonio on the corner of Broadway and East Houston Street on Nov. 28, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Ben Olivo | Heron</em></b>

A Christmas tree stands at Alamo Plaza on Dec. 1, 2020. <b><em>Photo by Chris Stokes | Heron contributor</em></b>

Contact the Heron at hello@saheron.com | @sanantonioheron on Twitter | Facebook

Leave a Reply Cancel reply