What's New

As San Antonio continues to grow as a convention and family destination, so does its air access. Southwest and Mexicana airlines, among others, have added routes to the "Alamo City." The city has plans to make a number of changes to the downtown tourist area. The city council has approved a project to make major changes to the city's Main Plaza, also called Plaza de las Islas. The plan includes closing off two streets that border the plaza to all motorized traffic so as to improve pedestrian access, increase the amount of green space by adding trees and gardens, and build a space for people to enjoy the plaza, perhaps with food and beverage service. The thinking behind the plan is to lure visitors from the River Walk into the western part of downtown. Another purpose of the planned redesign of the plaza is to create green space that's more visible at street level. Because the River Walk is largely below ground level, all its vibrant landscaping is hidden from the street. Construction looks to begin in late 2007.

Another idea being discussed at length involves the River Walk. Citizens, the local government, and business associations are in talks surrounding the idea of possibly banning chain restaurants from the River Walk, in order to keep intact its individuality. This is a thorny issue. We're staying tuned for more developments.

San Antonio is also diversifying. It's now striving to become a manufacturing center. A new Toyota truck plant has opened, and in November of 2006, the first pick-up truck made in San Antonio rolled off the assembly line. The city is quickly losing its reputation as a sleepy South Texas town.

Accomodations -- Hotel construction continues in downtown San Antonio and elsewhere in the city. There are now more than 11,000 rooms in the downtown area, which means that there is a huge pool of rooms dependent on large-convention traffic. This condition can lead to hotel bargains for the individual traveler with a certain degree of flexibility in travel arrangements.

An old favorite, La Mansión del Río, 112 College St. (tel. 800/830-1400) is now run by the Omni hotel chain. Since taking over the hotel, Omni has completely remodeled all the guest rooms and some of the common areas.

Sightseeing -- The most important -- or at least longest-heralded -- entry on the attractions scene, the Museo Americano Smithsonian (MAS), 101 S. Santa Rosa Blvd. (tel. 210/458-2300), hasn't opened yet. This is the third major delay, amounting now to 3 years. The new date set for opening is late spring of 2007. A cornerstone of the Centro Alameda project, devoted to exploring the city's Hispanic roots, MAS -- get it? -- is positioned at the entryway to Market Square.

The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. (tel. 210/824-5368), that jewel-like small museum with the lovely grounds and great location, has announced plans for a major expansion to enable it to exhibit more of its permanent collection, which is now being rotated from storage to the exhibition rooms. It's unclear how this will affect the present design of the museum, but there is plenty of time to get the planning down right. Work should begin in 2008.

Progress continues with the infrastructure improvements to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 6701 San José Dr. at Mission Road (210/932-1001). The new hike-and-bike path built on the banks of the San Antonio River is now completed. It extends for 12 miles, passing by each of the missions.