San Antonio City Council Directs $36M Toward Dolorosa and Flores Streets Reconstruction
Feature Photo: The intersection of Flores Street and Dolorosa Street, looking west and south toward the sections to be reconstructed. Image: Google Streets.
Posted: 12-16-2021
by Adolfo Pesquera
San Antonio (Bexar County) — City Council authorized the execution of two funding agreements that will result in major reconstruction projects on two west end downtown streets.
Council’s Thursday actions will provide $22 million to design and reconstruct Dolorosa Street from Frio Street to Flores Street, and another $14 million to design and reconstruct Flores Street from Martin Street to West Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard. The funding also includes an additional $540,000 for two public art projects–one each for Dolorosa and Flores streets.
The projects are intended to upgrade the entire streetscape environment in a downtown sector that is expected to experience significant redevelopment because of the University of Texas-San Antonio’s plans to expand its downtown campus, as well as private sector developers that are planning construction projects adjacent to UTSA’s master plan.
Both corridors were included in the Downtown Transportation Study that was approved by City Council in November 2012. Dolorosa Street is envisioned in the plan to be a multimodal urban street with reduced traffic lanes, transit, wider pedestrian improvements, bike facilities, landscaping and streetscaping improvements.
Flores Street is envisioned in the plan to be converted to a reduced street section to allow for wider sidewalks along portions of this corridor that have very narrow sidewalks. This would also potentially allow for landscaping and streetscape amenities where adequate right of way is available. Both projects reside within the Zona Cultural District that will require distinct design elements to be included as well.
The design phase is anticipated to begin in May 2022. Construction of the two projects is estimated to break ground by Fall 2023 and conclude in late 2025.
Aerial view of downtown San Antonio’s west end, highlighting the sections of Dolorosa and Flores streets that are to be reconstructed. Image: Google Earth/VBX Graphic.
The city, through its Public Works Department, approached the Houston Street Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board of Directors on Nov. 15 to request the funding. The following day, the Houston Street TIRZ board approved two resolutions that authorize funding agreements for reimbursable Houston TIRZ funding.
The Dolorosa Street and Flores Street projects include full roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, pedestrian amenities that include lighting and streetscape, landscaping and joint-bid utilities.
The reconstruction will enhance pedestrian and bike mobility/safety, bring improved landscaping and aesthetics, and provide connectivity to downtown major cultural, educational and entertainment destinations.
adolfo@virtualbx.com
