After a series of heated public meetings in July about the Alamo interpretive plan — in which critics blasted ideas for the Cenotaph memorial, Fiesta parade routes, the possible demolition of historic buildings, and accessibility to the Alamo — a related set of issues comes to the public for commentary this week.
During the meeting — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas Jefferson High School’s auditorium, 723 Donaldson Ave. — the public will get to comment on a traffic study, an online market survey and a history of archeology on the plaza. A week ago, the same presentations were made to the Alamo Citizen Advisory Committee, but the public was not permitted to comment during that meeting. While these presentations are not directly part of the Alamo interpretive plan, they support the viability of it.
Traffic is a major issue. The interpretive plan currently makes Losoya a two-way street, closes Alamo Plaza to traffic, and closes portions of East Houston and East Crockett streets that run adjacent to the Alamo.
The closures, which are not definite and still up for public review, are intended to increase foot traffic in the area and provide the Alamo with more reverence, planners and officials said last month. But members of the public who attended the meeting, including the Battle of Flowers Association and other longtime San Antonians, object to the closures.
The Alamo Master Plan Traffic Study, conducted by Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., supports the interpretive plan.
This rendering, taken from the Alamo Master Plan Traffic Study, shows two southbound lanes remaining on Losoya Street, and a northbound lane being added.
Accessibility to the plaza, the historic Battle of Flowers parade route, and overall navigability of downtown were called into question during last month’s meetings.
Another topic is the experience of Alamo visitors. A market survey, recently released, focuses on demographic information — who comes to the Alamo and why — but also addresses visitors’ “unmet needs” at the Alamo.
A draft of the survey says visitors “feel The Alamo lacks fresh new events, attractions and activities and it would also benefit from having a greater variety of things to see and do on-site.”
» Here’s another official Alamo page full of resources.
» Previous published: Cenotaph, process are most frustrating for those opposed to Alamo Plan
Featured photo by Ben Olivo | San Antonio Heron
Contact Jolene Almendarez: 210-550-0087 | jolene@saheron.com | @jalmendarez57 on Twitter
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