DEPARTMENT: Center City Development and Operations
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
A briefing by the San Antonio River Authority on the San Pedro Creek Improvement Project.
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) is the project manager for the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project. SARA staff will present a briefing on the design and construction of the Project along with details of the interpretive plan, San Pedro Creek Arts program, and public and stakeholder outreach.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Bexar County and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) entered into a cooperative agreement to transform San Pedro Creek from a concrete-lined drainage ditch into a natural creek habitat and world-class linear park. The San Pedro Creek Improvements Project (Project) will contain the 100-year floodplain within the creek banks, restore and improve water quality, reconnect people to a storied and historic natural resource, and catalyze economic growth and drive revitalization efforts. The Project begins at IH-35 at the flood tunnel inlet at Santa Rosa Street, near Fox Tech High School, and ends at the confluence of the Alazán and Apache Creeks at IH-35 to the south. The total length of the improvement area is 2.2 miles. There are a total of four phases to the Project, with Phase I currently under construction. The first segment of Phase I, from the tunnel inlet to Houston Street, is expected to be complete by the city’s Tricentennial celebration in May 2018.
Bexar County and SARA, in coordination with the City of San Antonio, are developing an interpretive plan that will express the culture, history and natural qualities of San Antonio through a series of word art, murals, artistic treatments and interpretive signage. For the long-term activation of the Park, the San Antonio River Authority is developing a pilot program for San Pedro Creek Arts that will house the public art program. Public art projects in San Pedro Creek Culture Park will express what is authentic about San Antonio today, and explore the history and meaning of the creek through a contemporary art lens. Temporary artworks and locations that feature changing artworks will allow a range of local, regional, national, and international artists and arts organizations to participate in the program. These will be complemented by performances in the amphitheater, the permanent 300th anniversary commission at the tunnel inlet, and places to integrate art into the design of a few key locations. Property owners adjacent to the creek will be invited to consider creating projects inspired by this strategy and by collaborating with San Pedro Creek Arts. San Pedro Creek Arts will house a mix of project types that encourage the artworks along the creek to be both memorable and relevant over time.
ISSUE:
City Council will receive a briefing on the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Bexar County and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) have a cooperative agreement to complete the design and construction of the Project. SARA is the project manager. The estimated project cost is $175 million and Bexar County already committed $125 million to the project. SARA entered into a contract with Sundt Davila Joint Venture for the construction of Phase I and 2 of the Project.
City Council previously approved the land rights to twenty three (23) city-owned real estate property interests that were necessary to complete the Project. The total value of the property conveyances is $4,746,630.40. The proposed 2017 Bond Program includes $19.5 million for the Project. Additionally, City staff is working with SARA on an operations and maintenance plan for San Pedro Creek.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.