Design of creek improvements gets approval

San Antonio, Texas — Commissioners Court approved the 40 percent design of the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project and authorized the San Antonio River Authority to proceed with the 70 percent design and securing donations of right-of-way needed to construct the first two phases. Commissioners Court also learned the first phase will be complete in time for the City of San Antonio’s 300th anniversary on May 5, 2018.

“Spanish explorers founded some of the first permanent civil and religious settlements in Texas on the banks of this creek on the feast day of Saint Peter,” Commissioner Paul Elizondo said. “From that time, San Pedro Creek played an integral role in the early land development of our city’s urban core. This project will turn the focus back to the importance of San Pedro Creek on this city’s history.”

The overall goal of the San Pedro Creek project is to contain the creek within the 100-year floodplain, restore and improve water quality, and reconnect people to this storied and historic natural resource through a linear urban park. Once complete, the project also will tie into the Museum and Mission reaches of the San Antonio River as well as the City of San Antonio’s planned Apache Creek and San Pedro Creek Linear Trails. The 2-mile project also will remove 30 acres of Downtown property from the floodplain.

“Just as we did with the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River, this project will be equal parts flood control, economic development, ecosystem restoration and cultural preservation,” County Judge Nelson Wolff said. “San Pedro Creek is the true birthplace of San Antonio, but right now you wouldn’t know it’s importance by looking at it.”

According to the 40 percent design documents, Phase I would begin with at the creek’s tunnel inlet at Interstate 35 and end at Cesar Chavez Boulevard. The phase includes converting the unsightly tunnel inlet into the Tree of Life Plaza that would create a welcoming gateway to four distinct character areas heading downstream.

• Villa Lagunilla or Town Lake: this section from the tunnel inlet extending to Travis Street would include a small town lake neighborhood park with opportunity for redevelopment.
• Salon de Alameda y Agua Antigua or Alameda Venue and Ancient Water: two combined character areas from Travis Street to Dolorosa Street would be anchored by the Alameda Theater and provide an amphitheater for outdoor performances, improve access to the creek and improve storm water conveyance.
• El Merodeo or the Meander: the final character area of the first phase extends from Dolorosa Street to Cesar Chavez Boulevard and would restore the original meandering waters of the creek. This section would decrease the floodplain and provide opportunities for small waterfalls and rapids that improve water quality.

The estimated construction cost for both phases is $110.8 million and is within the County’s commitment of $125 million to the project.

“We entered this project knowing that we would need to find more partners in the public and private sectors to contribute, whether financially or through land donations,” Judge Wolff said. “I think getting the design and construction processes moving will help us gain the momentum we need.”

Bexar County authorized the San Pedro Creek Study in 2012 and presented the results of that study in May 2013 along with a commitment of $125 million toward the project. In December 2013 the design budget and team were approved by Commissioners Court. The final design phase was initiated through a cooperative agreement with the River Authority approved by Commissioners Court in February 2014.