San Antonio River Improvement News

Design plans for the final two phases of the Mission Trails project were approved this week, bringing us all one step closer to an easy-to-find and easy-to-use route for vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians along the San Antonio River and between each of the Missions.

Read about the recent developments in the Express-News.

Also, a new community multimedia news organization, called NowCast, has sprung up in town, and they're featuring news about the River improvements in our neighborhood, and much more.

Visit the NowCast website, for words, video and news.

Concepción Acequia

The San Antonio Express News reports on an archaeological excavation in our neighborhood this week:

Crews have found what they believe is part of the upper layer of a nearly 300-year-old acequia that provided water to Mission Concepción on the near South Side.
After digging 11 feet deep Tuesday just east of Roosevelt Park, near Roosevelt Avenue and Whittier Street, workers found a small section of what's believed to be the acequia, possibly confirming what historians had long suggested about its location. Crews also found about 20 unbroken bottles dating as far back as the late 1800s and a stoneware pitcher from about the mid-1800s.
Tuesday's archaeological work ... was done under a Texas Historical Commission permit as part of construction of a hike-and-bike trail of the Mission Trails project.
The 15-foot-long excavation trench, measuring just over 30 inches wide, was being refilled late Tuesday. Hindes didn't know if the discovery would affect the hike-and-bike project.

Read the entire report on the mySA.com website:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/dig_unearths_1700s_mission_acequia_98873934.html

Mission Reach Concessions Public Workshop

16th Annual Basura Bash

Saturday, March 27, 9 am
Meet in Blue Star Arts Complex parking lot

Join King William Association, Brackenridge High School Environmental Club, and Mission Trail Rotary Club members and friends for this annual San Antonio River clean up. We'll pick up litter along the riverbank. It will only take about two hours to finish the work. Work gloves and sturdy shoes are required. Meet in Blue Star Arts Complex parking lot.

For more information, please contact Robin Raquet, Zone Captain, Section 1, at rockinrobinr@sbcglobal.net or 224-4541, or visit basurabash.org.

San Antonio River Authority and Archdiocese Reach Agreement on Sale of Property

The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and the Archdiocese of San Antonio have reached an agreement for the sale of 11 ∏ acres that will be utilized in the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project. Per the agreement, SARA will pay the Archdiocese $450,000 for the property and guarantee the Mission Concepcíon Multi-Sports Complex vehicle access to Theo Ave.

Responding to the day’s outcome, Father Martin Leopold, Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of San Antonio said, "I am pleased that the mediation succeeded so quickly and that we can move forward in the same spirit of cooperation that has existed throughout this process. I am grateful for the goodwill effort and hard work on the part of both parties.”

“The San Antonio River Improvements Project has been under development for many years and SARA has represented the public interest in other similar routine property negotiations,” said Suzanne Scott, SARA’s General Manager. “The mediation process worked well as both parties negotiated in good faith and we were able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. We are pleased with the outcome and are ready to continue the construction of the Mission Reach project.”

Public Meeting - Theo Avenue Realignment and Archdiocese Regional Sports Complex Development

When: Thursday, January 21, 2010 6:00 PM-8:00 PM (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada).
Where: SARA Board Room (100 E. Guenther)

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There will be a public meeting regarding the realignment of Theo Avenue and the development of the Archdiocese Regional Sports Complex in coordination with the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project.

Mission Reach Construction Tour

Walking tours of the MIssion Reach San Antonio River Improvements.

When: Friday, January 29, 2010 8:30 AM-10:00 AM (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada).
Where: MRPO; 310 W. Mitchell St.

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The January 15th Tour has over 20 signed up!

An additional tour is being planned to accommodate the growing interest!

RSVP REQUIRED

Walking tour, please come prepared.

Required attire:
Closed toe shoes, good for walking
Long pants

HARD HAT and SAFETY VEST PROVIDED

San Antonio River Authority Stream Team Public Meeting

The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) invites you to a public meeting for an introduction to stream restoration concepts and SARA’s Stream Team on Thursday, January 7th at 6:00 p.m..

The meeting will take place at the SARA main office at 100 E. Guenther.

This public meeting is the culmination of a three-day staff seminar where SARA has been learning how such efforts have been successful in other parts of the country.

Mission Reach River Project

Public Meeting

San Antonio River Improvements Project:

Mission Reach

Ecosystems Restoration and Recreation Project

Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 6:30pm

Slattery Hall, San Juan Capistrano Mission

9006 Villamain, San Antonio, Texas 78214

Big Tex Clean-Up Community Meeting

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invite you to attend a Community Meeting on the closing of field activities on the Big Tex Grain site, between Probandt, Lone Star Blvd and the San Antonio River.

Tuesday, October 20, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Brackenridge High School Cafeteria

400 Eagleland Drive, San Antonio TX 78210

For more information, contact Eric Delgado, On-Scene Coordinator, U.S. EPA, 214.665.2703

Finally, positive public investment flowing south

By Carlos Guerra

San Antonio Express-News, Web Posted: 06/04/2009 12:00 CDT

And now the Mission Reach: Shifting county flood-control money to the project, taking control of the work from the Army Corps of Engineers and giving it to the San Antonio River Authority, ensures the project will be delayed no longer.

...

Mission Reach improvements, [County Judge Nelson ] Wolff says, “will take a tragedy and turn it into something that means a great deal, environmentally, with jogging trails and biking paths, and grasses and trees that will bring life back to the river.

“We're creating a great environmental restoration that the citizens can enjoy.

Read the article by clicking HERE.

River Museum Reach Grand Opening

Saturday May 30th is the Grand Opening of the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River, extending the Riverwalk north.



Museum Reach Grand Opening: 10 AM
Mayor Phil Hardberger and other dignitaries will take the first ride through the new Lock and Dam - an engineering feat made possible by the project partners: San Antonio River Authority, Bexar County, City of San Antonio, San Antonio River Foundation and the River Oversight Committee.
The Lock and Dam will carry barges and their passengers to previously unnavigable portions of the river, past the San Antonio Museum of Art and all the way to the Pearl Complex.

Artist Talk: 1 – 3 PM
A lively and insightful panel discussion among the eight Museum Reach artists, hosted by the San Antonio Museum of Art. Museum admission is half price; seating is limited.

River Revel: 7 PM – Midnight
A glitteringly fun gala in support of the San Antonio River Foundation will be held at the Pearl Stable. Join us for a night of live music, entertainment, fine cuisine, and delightful libations! Limited seating available.

Vist the San Antonio River Foundation for more information.

Mission Road Power Plant

On April 4, CPS Energy officials met with property owners and community members to explain future activities at the Mission Road Power Plant, at 207 Mission Road, between the end of Yellowstone Road and the River.

Over the coming year, materials will be removed from interior of the two main buildings.  In addition, some of the minor structures will be removed.

Most of the work will be done in the daytime, with the exception of a few tasks that will require evening work.  Removal and hauling will originate on the riverside of the site to buffer any effect on the nearby neighborhood.  Every effort will be made to minimize noise, dust and traffic in the area.

Cleanup of the buildings will open way for a new use on the site.  CPS Energy hopes to finalize plans during the clean-up phase, using as a guide the data collected from neighborhood and community leaders during the past three years.

For more information, contact CPS representative, Michael Malone, at 210.353.3625

From Rain to Drain

San Antonio Water System ensures that you always have a safe, reliable supply of water at the turn of the tap.

If you're interested in learning more about where your drinking water comes from and where it goes when you're done with it, consider joining SAWS Education Team for our Rain to Drain Community Field Trip.

Saturday, January 31st, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Requirements for attending the trip:
· The “Rain to Drain” community field trip is FREE for San Antonio residents ages 18 and older. Anyone under the age of 18 cannot be accommodated. (To find out more information about field trips for those under 18, please contact the SAWS Education Department at 210-233-3626).

· Each trip can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests.

San Antonio Water System reserves the right to cancel a trip at any time due to attendance, weather or security reasons.

· San Antonio Water System will provide charter transportation to all locations. If special accommodations need to be made, advance notice of at least 72 hours is required. No personal transportation will be allowed.

San Antonio Water System will provide a FREE boxed lunch to all those in attendance. If special dietary needs are required, please notify us at the time of registration. SAWS will also provide water for your enjoyment throughout the day.

To register, please fill out the attached form, sign it and e-mail or fax it back to Greg Wukasch at gwukasch@saws.org or fax: 233-5043.

River Improvement Meeting

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

To: Residents and Business owners near the SARIP Mission Reach–Phase I

San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP)
Mission Reach– Phase I
A partnership with Bexar County, City of San Antonio, San Antonio River Authority, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
San Antonio River Foundation & the San Antonio River Oversight Committee

A public meeting to provide updates on the construction of the San Antonio River Improvements Project, Mission Reach–Phase I (Lone Star Blvd. to Theo Ave.). Updates will include information on the project, trucking routes to and from the construction site and the construction schedule.

Date: October 16, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Knox Elementary School, 302 Tipton Ave.

San Antonio River Improvement maps and drawings

Conceptual drawings and maps that show some of the plans for the river improvements in our neighborhood.

Visit the San Antonio River Improvements website for more information.

Conceptual drawing showing improvements at Concepción Park.