2011
December 2011
Recall: Decade of Downtown, Year One
Dec 28, 2011
To be sure, downtown needs some love. The most recent U.S. Census data
shows residents fled the city center in droves over the past decade.
Housing's scarce, storefronts sit empty, and a glut of downtown office
space sits dejectedly on the market. To turn the urban core around,
Mayor Julián Castro made the "Decade of Downtown" a cornerstone of the
SA 2020 plan gleaned from months of community input.
Congratulations to the winners of Light Up Downtown
Dec 27, 2011
Mayor
Julian Castro's inaugural Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest is underway!
Buildings throughout downtown are illuminated and the winners are:
- People's Choice Best Lighting Display of a Storefront: San Antonio Children's Museum
- Critic's Choice Best Lighting Display of a Storefront: Greater Chamber of San Antonio
- People's Choice Best Lighting Display of a Building: Marriott Rivercenter
- Critic's Choice Best Lighting Display of a Building: Vidorra Condominiums
- Hospitality Award Best Lighting Display of a Hotel: Hilton Paseo del Rio
- CPS Energy Award Greenest Lighting Display: Riverwalk Plaza Hotel & Suites
Over 30 businesses participated in the inaugural lighting contest. Holiday lighting displays will be up through January 10, 2012. For a complete list of all lighting displays, visit www.lightupdowntownsa.com.
May 2011
Get Lost: New River Walk Smartphone Tour Invites Visitors to Get Lost in SA River Walk History
May 9, 2011
Using
state-of-the-art technology that makes history accessible, Downtown Alliance and the City of San
Antonio have developed the Hugman River Walk Tour – the only free interactive self-guided tour
of the San Antonio
River Walk. With
a smart phone or pad device, visitors access the tour by scanning a quick
response (QR) code to navigate along the internationally-recognized
tourist attraction. The tour’s QR codes
are found on the River Walk’s wayfinding and interpretive signs.
Centro San Antonio publishes first issue of bi-annual e-newsletter
May 9, 2011
In May 2011, Centro San Antonio published the first issue of a new bi-annual electronic newsletter to provide specific updates on the public improvement district. View the issue online.
March 2011
Cleto Rodriguez is an Amigo for the Day
Mar 10, 2011
SAN ANTONIO - The Alamo City is a hot spot for tourists. The city is
gearing up for Spring Break when lots of families will be driving into
town to see the Alamo, the Missions and eat at all our wonderful
restaurants. The men and women in yellow are ambassadors equipped with
the 'must-see' lists and information for tourists. WOAI's own Cleto Rodriguez suited up to try out being a San Antonio 'ambassador.' He quickly discovered it's a serious job! View the video
Downtown Businesses Encouraged to Enter for BEST Urban Front Door
Mar 3, 2011
In partnership with the
City of San Antonio Downtown Operations Department, Downtown Alliance
introduced a new category this year called “Best Urban Front Door,” and we would like to invite your business to
enter at no charge. The
purpose of the new category is to recognize businesses that contribute to a
positive image of downtown by actively maintaining a welcoming storefront.
January 2011
Street Closure Notice: Houston Street Closing from 11am-12:30pm Saturday Jan 29, 2011
Jan 26, 2011
Downtown
Street Closures
Motorists will be
diverted for street closures to accommodate the Houston Street Two
Step: Cattle Drive and Stroll events on January 29, 2011.
Saturday, January 29,
2011
Over 20,000 people are
expected to come see the annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Kick-off
event, The Houston Street Two Step. More>
La Prensa: DTA and Centro featured in "The Decade of Downtown Goes Digital"
Jan 26, 2011
Downtown Alliance and Centro San Antonio are featured in today's issue of La Prensa on page 9 in "The Decade of Downtown goes Digital." Click here to download the pdf.
SABJ: HemisFair plan key to future of downtown
Jan 21, 2011
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro says he is convinced
that HemisFair Park, site of the 1968 World’s Fair, will finally become
something more than a monument to a bygone era. Downtown stakeholders say the redevelopment of that 80-acre site is
critical if San Antonio hopes to lure more businesses and a broader mix
of residents to the center city. Read more: HemisFair plan key to future of San Antonio's downtown | San Antonio Business Journal
Express-News: Remodeling Project for Downtown
Jan 19, 2011
Mayor Julián Castro has declared this the “Decade of Downtown,” and bringing more local residents to live and work there seems to be the mantra of the moment. But it’s hard to ignore market realities. While downtown rental apartments are in short supply and high demand, its offices aren’t nearly as popular.