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City Hall Annex Could Be Demolished
The Historic and Design Review Commission supported plans Friday to demolish the City Hall Annex, a 1954 building with utilitarian features, but had concerns about leaving a huge vacant lot by City Hall.
A 2002 study of city-owned structures found the 78,880-square-foot building at 506 Dolorosa St. was the least efficient. It was built as a warehouse but converted to offices.
“It had the most problems of any of our buildings downtown,” Dale Lange, project manager with the city architect's office, told commissioners.
The city has discussed a possible civic center or parking garage at the site, but won't know until after a facilities master plan is developed how the land could best be used. It could be three years before new construction begins, Lange said.
Until then, the site could be used for parking, or as a green space, with sod, a winding sidewalk and possibly some trees, Lange said. Commissioners voiced support for a parklike area, and Lange said the city would return to the panel with temporary plans for the site.
The commission also approved plans presented by the Main Plaza Conservancy for art panels to be displayed on vendor kiosks in the newly renovated plaza. The San Antonio Conservation Society raised concerns in a statement to the commission that “brightly colored abstract art” might not be appropriate for the plaza.
Eduardo Garcia, project manager with the conservancy, said the group would be sensitive to the concerns of the community.
The commission approved the first two “temporary art” pieces by artist Luis Treviño to be on display for three months and agreed to review the conservancy's art program in the plaza in one year. Other works to be shown in the plaza will be subject to review by the commission, unless they're up for special events or festivals for no more than 60 days.
Also Friday, the commission approved conceptual renovation plans for the Esquire Tavern, which dates to 1933 and has long been known as a popular watering hole by the River Walk. Davis Sprinkle, project architect, said the tavern at 151 E. Commerce St. and its features, including its exterior tile and neon sign and elongated wooden bar, would be kept intact but made to look as good as new.
“We've had tourists come up and say, ‘We've heard about the Esquire. When are you opening?'” Sprinkle said. “You'll see a dramatic, welcoming kind of change to it.”