DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
San Antonio Botanical Garden Capital Improvement Update
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the capital improvements at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City-owned San Antonio Botanical Garden (the Garden), located near Mahncke Park, opened to the public on May 3, 1980. Charted in 1980, the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society (the Society), the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was specifically established in support of the Garden. The Society serves a dual role of aiding in the expansion of the Garden through fundraising and capital improvements and heightening public awareness of the Garden through education and community events.
Some major capital improvements brought to the Garden with the assistance of the Society include: the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, the Sullivan Carriage House, the Auld House, acquisition of Funston Properties, Texas Native Trail Revitalization, upgraded children’s facilities, extensive landscape lighting, and the development of a Master Site Plan. Community events and exhibits hosted at the Garden include Shakespeare in the Park, Gardens by Moonlight, Viva Botanica! Fiesta event, BOOtanica and plant sales, among many others.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden Master Site Plan was adopted by City Council in October 2010 and encompasses a total of 37.78 acres and includes the addition of a new welcome center, education and event center, classrooms, various new garden areas and the expansion of the parking lot, as part of a phased approach. Along with the Master Site Plan, Council also approved a short-term license agreement and long-term lease agreement that facilitates the transition of the operation and management of the Garden to the Society by 2019. Currently, the Society oversees fundraising efforts, educational programming, rental of event space, and daily operations of the restaurant and gift shop, as they move towards full operation and maintenance of the Garden.
The first phase of improvements - an 8-acre expansion - includes the new Garden Gateway entrance, Welcome & Discovery Complex, Culinary Garden, Outdoor Teaching Kitchen and Pavilion, Family Adventure Garden and Halswell Way parking lot expansion and is scheduled to officially open in October 2017. This phase totals $21.8 million, of which $1.2 million came from the City’s 2012 Bond Program, and the remainder through a variety of funding sources spearheaded by the Society.
The second phase of improvements includes the development of an Education and Event Center, Central Lawn, and Administration Building and Carriage House Restaurant upgrades. This final phase totals $16.5 million and the City’s 2017 Bond Program proposes $5.05 million to assist in this phase of improvements to the Garden.
ISSUE:
This informational briefing will provide City Council with an update on the capital improvements projects completed at the San Antonio Botanical Garden and future projects in accordance with the City Council approved Master Site Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.