SAN ANTONIO RIVER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
FACT SHEET

• The San Antonio River Improvements Project is a $216.6 million investment by the Bexar County, City of San Antonio, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the San Antonio River Authority and the San Antonio River Foundation in flood control, amenities, ecosystem restoration and recreational improvements to the San Antonio River.
• The project’s northern section—the Museum Reach—extends approximately four miles from Hildebrand at Brackenridge Park to Lexington Street. The Urban Segment of the Museum Reach extends approximately 1.5 miles from Lexington Street to Josephine Street, and is the initial segment of the reach where improvements will be made. The Park Segment continues approximately 2 miles through Brackenridge Park up to Hildebrand Avenue.
• The project’s southern section—the Mission Reach—extends approximately eight miles from South Alamo Street to Mission Espada just below Interstate Loop 410. The Mission Reach includes the Eagleland segment from Alamo Street to Lone Star Boulevard.
• The project’s downtown section, completed in October 2002, extends from Houston Street to Lexington Avenue and includes the restored portions of the original San Antonio River Walk.

Stakeholder and Government Involvement:

• The San Antonio River Oversight Committee (SAROC), a 22-person citizen committee, was appointed in 1998 to guide the planning and implementation of the project. The SAROC continues to actively guide the project’s implementation.
• Over the life of the project, Bexar County will contribute approximately $59 million from the county’s flood tax, specifically for flood control and ecosystem restoration elements of the project.
• The City of San Antonio contribution is anticipated to be approximately $74.7 million over the life of the project, derived from the city’s capital improvements fund for amenities and recreation elements.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could contribute approximately $72.1 million to support the ecosystem restoration and recreation elements in the Mission Reach. The federal government is also providing $1.8 million toward construction in the Eagleland segment on the southern edge of downtown San Antonio.
• Throughout the project, the San Antonio River Authority will provide project and technical management, as well as overall project coordination between the project partners.
• The San Antonio River Foundation, a non-profit organization, is working with the private sector to initially raise $7.8 million to augment the public investment in the project and raise additional funding to support the implementation of a comprehensive public arts master plan compiled to complement the river improvements project. The river foundation’s current fund raising goal for the project is $35 million.
• The San Antonio River Authority will provide $1.5 million annually beginning in 2009 toward operations and maintenance activity on the San Antonio River Improvements Project. The funding from SARA offsets future City operations and maintenance costs and provides the City additional funding capacity to issue debt to cover a portion of the City’s funding for construction of the Museum Reach-Urban Segment.
• The San Antonio Water System will be contributing $1.3 million toward the Mission Reach segment to assist with the relocation of water and wastewater utilities.

The Museum Reach:

• A consultant team led by Ford, Powell & Carson Architects & Planners, Inc. leads the final design for the Museum Reach.
• Improvements on the Urban Segment of the Museum Reach will double the length of the existing River Walk and extend the distinctive San Antonio experience to an undeveloped section of the river north of downtown.
• The project will stabilize the river channel, extend navigation by river barge through the addition of a lock and dam; create access along a linear park that links major cultural institutions and commercial centers; and add landscaping, pocket parks, lighting and signage.
• Private funding being raised through the San Antonio River Foundation will support the addition of amenities and art enhancements.
• Final design was completed in September 2006. Construction will begin in May 2007 and be completed by May 2009. Zachry Construction Corporation was awarded a $49.8 million construction contract in April 2007.
• The $68.4 million Museum Reach-Urban Segment is being funded by the City of San Antonio ($52.3 million), Bexar County ($13.1 million) and through private donations collected by the San Antonio River Foundation ($3 million).

The Mission Reach:

• Improvements along the Mission Reach will focus on ecosystem restoration using a technique known as fluvial geomorphology. This technique will transform the straightened river to replicate the original flow of the river while increasing flood control, reducing erosion, re-introducing native vegetation and creating an environment more suitable for recreation and wildlife.
• The budget for the Mission Reach, including the Eagleland segment, $134 million ($126.6 million for the Mission Reach and $7.4 million for Eagleland segment).
• The Eagleland segment, under construction now, is the initial project to reflect the ecosystem restoration planned for the remainder of the Mission Reach.
• The $126.6 million Mission Reach project is being funded Bexar County ($33.0 million), the City of San Antonio ($15.4 million); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ($72.1 million) and through private donations collected by the San Antonio River Foundation ($4.8 million). Funding for utility relocations for San Antonio Water System total $1.3 million.
• The project has been approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget for budget consideration. Funding for the Corps is considered annually by U.S. Congress through the annual appropriations process.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has contracted with Carter Burgess to complete the design on the project.
• The project will establish 24,000 native trees, 56 acres of native grasses, 113 acres of aquatic habitat, 320 acres of riparian habitat and restore two river remnants. In addition, 8 miles of hike and bike trails will be added or reconstructed to augment the existing Mission Trails system.
• The project will be designed and constructed in four phases moving upstream to downstream. Construction on the first phase will begin by fall 2007 with construction on all phases completed by 2012.
• The San Antonio River Authority, as local sponsor, and the Corps of Engineers have executed a Project Cooperation Agreement to authorize construction on the project.