San Antonio advances downtown renewal

Why it matters

The $3.7 million contract was awarded to Aecom Technical Services Inc. to explore ways to reduce the barrier between downtown and the East Side. The firm will spend nine months developing proposals to reduce or eliminate the I-37 highway that divides the two areas. Public engagement is scheduled to begin in April. The study will focus on the nearly 2-mile stretch of I-37 from Houston Street to Carolina Street, encompassing the future sports and entertainment district, Project Marvel, and the Alamodome. The project is being funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant and a local match from the city's Hotel Occupancy Tax. The ultimate goal is to improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making the area safer and more walkable. This connectivity project is a key component of the larger Project Marvel, a multi-billion dollar sports and entertainment district. Project Marvel aims to modernize San Antonio while preserving its local culture. The project includes a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs, upgrades to the Alamodome, and infrastructure improvements. The city hopes to create a "seamless urban experience" by reconnecting the East Side to downtown. I-37 has long been a physical and economic barrier, displacing residents and limiting economic activity on the East Side. The project aims to undo these barriers, improve connectivity, and restore cohesion among historically divided neighborhoods.

Key numbers

• San Antonio is investing $3.7 million to study improved connectivity between downtown and the East Side as part of Project Marvel.
• The $3.7 million contract was awarded to Aecom Technical Services Inc.
• The firm will spend nine months developing proposals to reduce or eliminate the I-37 highway that divides the two areas.
• The study will focus on the nearly 2-mile stretch of I-37 from Houston Street to Carolina Street, encompassing the future sports and entertainment district, Project Marvel, and the Alamodome.

What happens next

• The firm will spend nine months developing proposals to reduce or eliminate the I-37 highway that divides the two areas.
• Public engagement is scheduled to begin in April.
• The study will focus on the nearly 2-mile stretch of I-37 from Houston Street to Carolina Street, encompassing the future sports and entertainment district, Project Marvel, and the Alamodome.

Sources

• is investing

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