DEPARTMENT: Department for Culture & Creative Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Felix N. Padrón
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
Maverick Plaza Wall and Entrance Enhancement Project at La Villita Historic Arts Village
SUMMARY:
As part of an overall effort to enhance La Villita Historic Arts Village, the Department for Culture and Creative Development has worked with stakeholder to finalize designs of the new Maverick Wall which will bring attention to the La Villita Alamo Street and Nueva Street entrances and enhance accessibility to Maverick Plaza.
This briefing will provide an overview of the preliminary designs and project funding.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
La Villita is a unique historic and culturally significant facility on the banks of the San Antonio River in downtown San Antonio.
In 1939, under the leadership of Mayor Maury Maverick, La Villita was restored. The initial restoration of six houses was dedicated in May 1941 and La Villita became a center for community events and home to artists and art galleries. La Villita continued to expand over the next 40 years, and in 1981 the City initiated a $2 million renovation project.
In October 2012, the Department for Culture and Creative Development (DCCD) assumed management of La Villita with the intent of increasing cultural tourism opportunities, community utilization, and the artistic and historic aspects of the facilities. DCCD recently completed a La Villita RFP to solicit a diverse, innovative, and unique retail mix centered on Arts and Crafts and delineates twenty-five locations for specialized businesses as Working Artist Studio Galleries, Galleries, and Retail Shops.
As part of the new initiative to enhance the La Villita Historic Arts Village, $200,000 was allocated in the FY 2015 Budget to enhance the entrance at Maverick Plaza. The project was to include the demolition of all or portions of the existing wall and replacing it with an enhanced entrance that was to be designed in the current fiscal year utilizing allocated funds and based on input from on-site and nearby stakeholders.
Staff has met with area stakeholders to solicit input on initial design for removal and replacement of the Maverick Plaza Wall. Based upon stakeholder feedback, preliminary designs have been enhanced and expanded to the walkways adjacent to Alamo Street. The new design consists of replacing concrete, pavers and lighting to aesthetically connect Maverick Plaza to Alamo Street. It also adds a direct entrance to the plaza from Nueva Street.
To cover the cost of the expanded scope of the Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project, the San Antonio Conservation Society will contribute $125,000 from the La Villita Preservation Fund and savings from the Community and Visitor Facilities Fund will be added.
The new designs have been reviewed, approved and supported by area stakeholders as well as the Historical Design and Review Committee.
ISSUE:
The City has completed preliminary designs for the Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project, including a new and enhanced project scope. The projected budget, with enhanced scope, exceeds the allocated funds. The San Antonio Conservation Society has agreed to provide $125,000.00 from the SACS La Villita Preservation Fund and the Community and Visitor Facilities Fund will allocate $125,000.00 from savings from the FY 2015 Budget to ensure the project is completed to include the stakeholders' input to the design.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.