The city is preparing another big, downtown project: a facelift for Main Plaza.
by Jaie Avila / News 4 San AntonioRenderings of the new project show how the city wants to provide a smoother surface, trees for shade and grassy areas for kids to play.SAN ANTONIO - The city is preparing another big, downtown project: a facelift for Main Plaza.
Ten million of your tax dollars will be used to transform the historic square next to San Fernando Cathedral into an accessible gathering place. The News 4 I-Team reports the city hopes to avoid cost overruns like the ones you paid for the last time the plaza was revamped. To make the plaza more accessible they'll be getting rid of the crushed granite, uneven stone pavers, and other features from a previous remodel in 2008, which ended up going over budget by more than $5 million. The city already removed the fountains installed during that 2008 project, which were criticized at the time for using more than seven thousand gallons of water per week. That remodel left a plaza that was difficult to navigate for people using wheelchairs or even high heels. “It's just going to be a really gentle slope up towards the church, so it's going to be a beautiful view, super accessible," said Molly Hall-Villarreal of the Main Plaza Conservancy. Renderings of the new project show how the city wants to provide a smoother surface, trees for shade and grassy areas for kids to play. Along with an elevated dining area with more tables and staging for music and events. The Main Plaza Conservancy will be raising another $5 million to add to the $10 million in taxpayer funds for a total project cost of $15 million. Robert and Catalina Fiol say they visit Main Plaza often but have mixed feelings about the improvements. “I'm going to be honest with you, whenever the city gets involved I don't like it because they never stay on budget," Robert Fiol said. Their opinion changed however, when they learned the main objective is to increase accessibility for the disabled. “If it's for accessibility, I'm going to have to say I’m all for it." We asked Michael Shannon, who oversees capital projects for the city, how they plan to keep from going over budget like in 2008. “Well, every project we try to keep within budget, and certainly that's a main focus not only with this one but all of our projects now," said Shannon. Downtown businesses have grown weary of construction after numerous, lengthy street projects, and the looming disruptions from the new Spurs arena and convention center expansion. Shannon says the city has learned lessons from past construction delays and this project will go smoothly. “Not only the accessibility upgrades and leveling those to make it easier to get around, but when you see the project and how we're going to slope it, from the river to the cathedral it really enhances the plaza and helps tell the history of the plaza," he said.Teacher's body found in school before class, may have been there for days: police An elementary school teacher's body was found inside her workplace shortly before classes began, but authorities said she may have already been dead for days.Hailstorm devastates nursery, leaving widespread damage to plants and property A powerful hailstorm tore through Leakey, leaving extensive damage at Dora’s Nursery and forcing the business to close tomorrow as the owners begin the cleanupSkyler’s last known location was the 2000-block of Sunset Springs in Pearland, just south of Houston.Starting April 1, Texans using SNAP benefits will no longer be able to use taxpayer-funded dollars to buy soda and candy.
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