River Meeting this Thursday, June 25th
The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) will host a meeting to update the public on recent changes to the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP). The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Roosevelt Park Community Center at 331 Roosevelt Ave. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
Due to a recent increase in the estimated cost of the Mission Reach project and continued delay in obtaining federal funding, Bexar County has decided to increase local funding in order to move the project forward. The county has also asked SARA to take over project management, a move that could shorten construction time and save anywhere from $12.5 million to $20 million in overall costs.
The Mission Reach of the SARIP is an ecosystem restoration project aimed at restoring the river to a more natural state while still maintaining or improving its flood control capacity. Improvements to this 9-mile segment of river on the south side of San Antonio include restoration of native plants and aquatic habitat, hike & bike trails, pocket parks and restoration of two historic meanders in the river.
The SARIP is comprised of three distinct reaches: The Museum Reach, a four mile segment of the river from Hildebrand Avenue south to Lexington Avenue; the Downtown Reach, a segment of the original River Walk from Houston Street to Lexington Avenue; and the Mission Reach extending from Alamo Street south to just past Mission Espada and including the Eagleland Project.
For more information, please call Luke Habenicht at (210) 302-3228 or Martha Henry, the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association representative on the River committee, at 732-3332.
Speaking of the River...
You may have noticed increased construction activity on the River right next to the Lone Star Street bridge. The River Authority has been working around the clock to finish that important section before any possible rain comes to delay the project. Fortunately, nobody lives right next to the bridge, but please do let Martha Henry know if you have any complaints or questions. Call her at 732-3332.
