New Alamo museum takes shape in downtown San Antonio
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Rendering of the visitor center and museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Alamo
Construction begins Tuesday on the long-awaited $185 million Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, a project to add immersive galleries, a 4D theater and a rooftop restaurant to the historic site.
Why it matters: The Alamo is a top Texas destination, yet many visitors find the experience lacking, leaving them asking, "Is that it?"
The latest: A public groundbreaking will take place at 10am Tuesday.
- State and local officials including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai are expected.
State of play: The project will transform the historic Crockett and Woolworth buildings into the visitor center and museum. The latter was the site of the 1960 sit-in that led to the desegregation of lunch counters in the South.
- Plans include reconstructing the lunch counter for a future exhibit, according to the Express-News.
- Downtown bar Moses Roses will be demolished to make way for the museum after a yearlong eminent domain dispute.
- Recent additions to the grounds include The Ralston Family Collections Center, a Mission Gate and Lunette, and replicas of an 18-pounder cannon and a palisade, all part of the $550 million Alamo Plan.
Flashback: There was controversy during the initial planning stages over whether the Crockett and Woolworth buildings would be demolished for a new structure.
- However, in 2021 it was announced that these buildings would be preserved and incorporated into the Alamo Plan.
- The buildings' exterior materials will be replaced, while the flooring and wall finishes from the historic lunch counter will be protected, according to the Express-News.
Between the lines: The public-private Alamo Plan is aimed at preserving the site's history, with hopes that it will contribute to the growth of San Antonio.
- Gov. Greg Abbott approved over $400 million in the state budget for the Alamo Plan last year.
- Bexar County also approved $25 million for the museum in 2021. Donors like the SWBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the global financial company, and Valero Energy have also pitched in.
Zoom in: The Alamo museum's planned eight immersive galleries and 4D theater are designed to enhance understanding of the site's timeline, from its Indigenous inhabitants to the Texas Revolution and beyond.
- The rooftop restaurant and event space will offer Alamo views with food and drinks reflective of Texas, according to the Express-News.
Reality check: A project to demolish and replace the Alamo's 100-year-old roof could start in the spring and could close the church until 2027.
- The roof was poorly designed for drainage, the Express-News reported.
By the numbers: The 100,000-square-foot visitor center will have 32,000 square feet of space for galleries and programming.
- The Alamo sees about 1.6 million visitors a year and expects another 1 million annual visitors by 2027.
What's next: The visitor center and museum are slated for completion in 2027.