Welcome to MAIN PLAZA...   "the Heart of the City"

Redevelopment Project 

San Antonio private contributions joined public investment to make the vision of a re-developed Main Plaza a reality.  Local companies and foundations donated more than half the cost of revitalizing this community treasure.  Those private resources are bringing modern-day conveniences to the  plaza.  A $2 million donation from the Tobin Endowment is providing funding for five interactive, ground-level fountains accentuated with lighting enhancements.

Children and the young at heart will be able to splash through the fountains, which will be visually appealing and provide refreshing relief on a South Texas summer day. 

A grant from AT&T is making Main Plaza Wi-Fi enabled, providing free high-speed Internet access to the public through an embedded wireless network.  People with wireless card devices can sit in the park and eat lunch while surfing the Internet, gaming, or getting some much-needed work accomplished in a relaxed setting. 

Other monetary donations are contributing to improvements in the plaza that will enhance daily life in a public setting, creating a highly desirable escape from the traffic and noise of urban life.


A Historic District

Main Plaza, also known as "Plaza de las Islas" named by the Canary Islanders; and Military Plaza, comprise a historic district. The Main Plaza and Military Plaza Historic District is roughly bounded by the San Antonio River, East Nueva, Laredo, and Houston streets.  Since the 18th Century, it has been the "heart of the city".  To this date, it remains the center of San Antonio’s government. 

Adjacent to the north wall of San Fernando Cathedral is Municipal Plaza, the former Frost Bank Building, built for San Antonio’s oldest financial institution.  Now a City-owned building, it houses City offices and the City Council Chamber, which retains the ornate decorations originally designed for the Frost National Bank.  The Chamber’s main entrance fronts the west boundary accessing directly onto Main Plaza.

The GRAND OPENING of Main Plaza took place on April 13, 2008.  Opening was celebrated by a Mariachi Mass at San Fernando Cathedral.  Following were Ceremony and Dedication keynote speakers; Mayor Phil Hardberger, Judge Nelson Wolff, Father David Garcia, Archbishop Jose Gomez who gave blessing, Bruce Bugg on behalf of the Tobin Endowment and Main Plaza Conservancy Chairman of the Board, William Scanlan, Jr. 

The San Antonio Symphony Orchestra played as the water danced through the lights on the five incredible fountains  in a grand lighting finale. 

VISION OF MAIN PLAZA

Main Plaza must be attractive and enjoyable for citizens and visitors alike.  It should be a park-like environment with a predominance of landscaped areas including trees, an abundance of plantings and open areas where people may walk or sit and relax.  The character of the new re-developed plaza should reflect a permanent tribute to its historical significance as the birthplace of San Antonio and the site of some of the City's greatest landmarks and community assets.

MAIN PLAZA WANTS TO REACH OUT LIKE AN OCTOPUS

This principle offers great promise for the future as the attractiveness and success of Main Plaza as a "people place" begins to spread down neighboring streets.  It is obvious that this principle may involve the need to slow vehicular traffic slightly as pedestrian traffic increases - thereby making walking more enjoyable and adding to the success of the Plaza and the neighboring streets.

 

Return frequently for updates, latest schedules and more news from…   MAIN PLAZA CONSERVANCY.

 

MAIN PLAZA CONSERVANCY              OFFICE HOURS:

111 SOLEDAD STREET, STE. #811        MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78205                 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

210-225-9800 OFFICE

210-225-9805 FAX

info@mainplazaconservancy.org