San Antonio Invests in Downtown-East Side Link
San Antonio allocated $3.7 million for a study to connect downtown with the East Side as part of Project Marvel, aiming to boost economic growth.
The study will explore ways to reduce the I-37 highway barrier between the East Side and downtown. AECOM Technical Services Inc., a Dallas-based infrastructure consultant, secured the $3.7 million contract for this project. The project aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making the area safer and more walkable between Hemisfair, the convention center, the Alamodome, and a planned sports and entertainment district. Public input is expected to begin in April. The study area will focus on the nearly 2-mile stretch of I-37 from Houston Street to Carolina Street. Funding includes almost $3 million from a U.S. Department of Transportation grant and $740,000 from the city's Hotel Occupancy Tax. This initiative is part of the larger Project Marvel, a plan to modernize San Antonio and boost the local economy. Project Marvel includes a new Spurs arena, convention center expansion, and a land bridge.