Construction on the Hemisfair Civic Park project is finally set to begin, after a long delay which lasted over two years. The San Antonio City Council recently gave their approval on a $27.9 million construction contract which will enable the development of the project’s first phase.
Skanska to break ground on Hemisfair Civic Park by January 2022
Skanska USA Building Inc. will break ground on the long awaited Hemisfair Civic Park by January 2022, which is intended to be developed in two phases. This landmark project, once completed, would be known as the largest of the three urban parks, which are to be built on the same site used for the 1968 World’s Fair. The Civic Park will be situated next to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, at the northwest corner of Hemisfair’s 96-acre site.
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Development plans for the Hemisfair Civic Park which were approved by the The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC), showed that phase I would be a 4.7-acre development on the southern portion of Civic Park. This phase will focus on areas such as the Promenade, which will serve in connecting the this section of the park with the rest of Hemisfair; a great 1.3-acre lawn capable of accommodating about 15,000 people for recreation or other large events; and a layered fountain area referred to as The Shallows; which will consist of intricate water features interlaced into the surrounding area on the ground.
Phase II of the Hemisfair Civic Park construction project will involve the redesign and development of areas such as the Source Plaza, and the Lila Cockrell Theatre mural, which links the park to the Convention Center area down by the River Walk. There are also other plans for a hotel, apartments, restaurants, and shops, which are to be developed along with the 7 acre-park, and according to Andres Andujar, the Hemisfair CEO, these developments need to be completed in time for the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2025.
The entire cost of Hemisfair Civic Park revitalization is estimated at over $50 million and the project will receive funding worth up to $21 million; which was approved by the San Antonio voters in 2017, as part of the city’s municipal bond package. Construction costs for the second phase are about $18 million and the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp officials are anticipating the city’s allocated 2022-2027, $18 million bond to help cover some of the remaining costs.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio mentioned that the completion of the Hemisfair Civic Park project would transform the city into a world-class gathering place, as residents from every corner of San Antonio frequently visit Hemisfair to find connections and respite. Hemisfair CEO Andres Andujar also noted that with Skanska on board as the project’s developer, they were already a step closer to delivering one of the world’s great public places.
