Better Block Event Reintroduces San Antonio to The Alamo

Organized by the city of San Antonio and Team Better Block, the Alamo Plaza Better Block Project held last weekend, "drove a surge in sales and foot traffic for businesses along Alamo Street, encouraging store owners to believe a makeover of the plaza could attract many more locals in the future," reports Neal Morton. Better Block got its start in Dallas and has since inspired inexpensive and experimental complete streets projects throughout America.

With $1 million recently approved by voters for upgrading the historic grounds, "after welcoming the mixed crowds of locals and the expected summer tourists, retailers saw dollar signs in the vision of a new plaza."

"Though the opportunity for growth delighted retailers," writes Morton, "the presence of even more commercialism on the hallowed ground rankled some Alamophiles."