San Antonio's River Road area is set to receive a green makeover as the River Road Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration project progresses into the design phase, with local agencies seeking public input to shape the future of this half-mile stretch of riverfront. A collaborative effort funded by federal dollars, the project teams up Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio River Authority, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bring back native plants and wildlife to the banks of the San Antonio River.
The public is urged to voice their views at information sessions starting this week, the first of which will be held Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the YMCA TriPoint Center, as reported by the San Antonio Report. Project staff will be on hand to disclose project details and to clarify any queries concerning the restoration. According to Brian Mast of the river authority, one of the primary goals is to "put everybody on common ground as we start the initial design."
Key issues identified in the preliminary analysis between 2018 and 2020 include significant riverbank erosion and the encroachment of invasive species such as giant cane reeds and chinaberry trees. The design phase will attempt to directly address these issues, with a focus on enhancing the habitat for birds and resolving a problematic low water crossing where fish are getting stuck, Mast told the San Antonio Report.
Zia Burns, a Corps program manager, outlined a timeline that foresees design work to last through summer 2025 and construction to wrap up by the end of 2027, at a total project estimate of $13 million. She clarified to the San Antonio Report that "the design and implementation of this project are fully federally funded." There is also scope for community-inspired enhancements that would go above the base project, which, according to Mast, could include the potential conversion of Avenue A into a hike and bike trail aligned with the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System.
The issue of preserving native tree species and natural landscapes is sensitive, as illustrated by the uproar over recent bird mitigation measures and riverbank modifications within Brackenridge Park. Past controversies have informed the current approach that promises no native tree species will be removed, and a focus on natural ecosystem restoration without the use of retaining walls, Mast assured the San Antonio Report. Cooperation with the Brackenridge Park Conservancy has been highlighted to ensure that the project aligns with community values and preservation efforts.
