Post by neferetus on Feb 24, 2011 13:26:18 GMT -5
For years folks like Gary Forman have been working towards reclaiming Alamo Plaza and perhaps reconstructing some of
the Alamo walls. Problem is both the City of San Antonio, as well as the businesses along the historic Crockett Block have been hemming and hawing about losing business revenue. And, let's face it, Alamo Plaza real estate has prime tourist-drawing power and nobody wants to lose tourist money . Too, the preservationists have offerd their protest at any suggestion to tear down buildings along the west side of the Plaza to put up modern-day reconstructions of what the Alamo walls may've looked like.
In my mind, the tearing down or removal of those buildings in question is not going to happen, but a happy compromise might be reached that would satisfy all partys involved: The City, the businesses, the preservationists and the reclaimers.
Instead of jumping in and intimidating folks by threatening to bulldoze everything on the Plaza, I think the process should be taken in "baby steps".
Did you ever see the Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss film, WHAT ABOUT BOB? In the film, Dreyfuss portrays a psychologist who's promoting a self-help book called BABY STEPS. The premise of the book is that if you are unable to get all the way to point "B" from point "A" without some sort of obstacle blocking your way, try taking 'baby steps' to get it done. See your way down the hall...baby step...see your way to the front door...babystep...see your way out into the driveway...baby step. By taking baby steps, you will eventually reach your goal without so much stress, or worry, or obstacles.
Destroying buildings on Alamo Plaza is not a baby step, rather it is a move that will meet with major opposition from the city, from preservationists who wish to thwart the proposed demolition of already historical buildings on Alamo Plaza and from the occupants of the businesses along the west side of Alamo Plaza who will be affected by such a drastic move.
Using the baby step method would not have so many people up in arms all at one time. So where do we start? The first step would be to close off traffic on Alamo Plaza altogether. While people will still be able to access the businesses on the plaza, the plaza itself would become a more people-friendly place, much like the Stragel, or "Pedestrian Street" in Copenhagen. With the plaza closed to traffic, the next step would be to reconstruct the complete Alamo south wall, including the lunette. Again, this would not inhibit the businesses along the west wall, but rather attract more tourists with vacation dollars to spend. Nobody loses here and you have another good chunk of the Alamo back without tearing down anything. (Thanks to Martin Vasquez for this suggestion.)
The next baby step would be to add a uniform limestone facade to the businesses along the west side of Alamo Plaza. This would at least let tourists know the extent of the Alamo walls. The buildings themselves and their interiors would remain the same, only the lower portion of the facade would change, the part with doors and windows.
Of course, this is just a crude cut and paste job, but at least it gives you an idea as to what I am driving at regarding having a uniform west side of Alamo Plaza.
I think this minor alteration would lend a certain dignity to Alamo Plaza, one that it is sadly lacking now. More importantly, with proper signage, it would also let tourists see how large the Alamo actually was. The way I see it now, Alamo Plaza West is there to stay. Those buildings are not coming down. But, with a little compromise, both sides of the issue could be satisfied to a certain degree. And the cost would be minimal to the City of San
Antonio.
Again, I'm not advocating rebuilding the Alamo of 1836, but merely making the west side of Alamo Plaza more in
sympathy with the Shrine.
the Alamo walls. Problem is both the City of San Antonio, as well as the businesses along the historic Crockett Block have been hemming and hawing about losing business revenue. And, let's face it, Alamo Plaza real estate has prime tourist-drawing power and nobody wants to lose tourist money . Too, the preservationists have offerd their protest at any suggestion to tear down buildings along the west side of the Plaza to put up modern-day reconstructions of what the Alamo walls may've looked like.
In my mind, the tearing down or removal of those buildings in question is not going to happen, but a happy compromise might be reached that would satisfy all partys involved: The City, the businesses, the preservationists and the reclaimers.
Instead of jumping in and intimidating folks by threatening to bulldoze everything on the Plaza, I think the process should be taken in "baby steps".
Did you ever see the Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss film, WHAT ABOUT BOB? In the film, Dreyfuss portrays a psychologist who's promoting a self-help book called BABY STEPS. The premise of the book is that if you are unable to get all the way to point "B" from point "A" without some sort of obstacle blocking your way, try taking 'baby steps' to get it done. See your way down the hall...baby step...see your way to the front door...babystep...see your way out into the driveway...baby step. By taking baby steps, you will eventually reach your goal without so much stress, or worry, or obstacles.
Destroying buildings on Alamo Plaza is not a baby step, rather it is a move that will meet with major opposition from the city, from preservationists who wish to thwart the proposed demolition of already historical buildings on Alamo Plaza and from the occupants of the businesses along the west side of Alamo Plaza who will be affected by such a drastic move.
Using the baby step method would not have so many people up in arms all at one time. So where do we start? The first step would be to close off traffic on Alamo Plaza altogether. While people will still be able to access the businesses on the plaza, the plaza itself would become a more people-friendly place, much like the Stragel, or "Pedestrian Street" in Copenhagen. With the plaza closed to traffic, the next step would be to reconstruct the complete Alamo south wall, including the lunette. Again, this would not inhibit the businesses along the west wall, but rather attract more tourists with vacation dollars to spend. Nobody loses here and you have another good chunk of the Alamo back without tearing down anything. (Thanks to Martin Vasquez for this suggestion.)
The next baby step would be to add a uniform limestone facade to the businesses along the west side of Alamo Plaza. This would at least let tourists know the extent of the Alamo walls. The buildings themselves and their interiors would remain the same, only the lower portion of the facade would change, the part with doors and windows.
Of course, this is just a crude cut and paste job, but at least it gives you an idea as to what I am driving at regarding having a uniform west side of Alamo Plaza.
I think this minor alteration would lend a certain dignity to Alamo Plaza, one that it is sadly lacking now. More importantly, with proper signage, it would also let tourists see how large the Alamo actually was. The way I see it now, Alamo Plaza West is there to stay. Those buildings are not coming down. But, with a little compromise, both sides of the issue could be satisfied to a certain degree. And the cost would be minimal to the City of San
Antonio.
Again, I'm not advocating rebuilding the Alamo of 1836, but merely making the west side of Alamo Plaza more in
sympathy with the Shrine.