SAN ANTONIO | Spurs Arena Downtown

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by Runner

And yet we make them a lot of money by buying tickets and attending NIOSA! They are anti growth.

I don't think these actions make them necessarily anti-growth; I think they believe in what they're fighting for. I just don't think the ITC building is worth fighting for. It's ugly, it has been underused for years (decades), and it takes up a lot of space in a location that could be used by the city, UTSA, the Spurs, other events, and hundreds of thousands of fans, not to mention the plan for a land bridge over the highway. Living in Boston now, I can verify that the Big Dig covered an ugly highway and created a wonderful city park. It cost money, it took time, and it went over-budget, but the result has been a complete success environmentally, civically, and monetarily; it helped revitalize the areas around it, and that's something you can say to anyone who claims that government should make a profit. That being said, I don't think these people will ever be open to a different perspective because they only want to preserve what exists just for the sake of preserving it. That's their main motivation.

[Sigaven]

I think there's some argument to be made for preserving 60's modernist/new formalist architecture from the world's fair, but the ITC isn't really a standout example. The US Pavilion/courthouse is a building I would fight for.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by Sigaven

I think there's some argument to be made for preserving 60's modernist/new formalist architecture from the world's fair, but the ITC isn't really a standout example. The US Pavilion/courthouse is a building I would fight for.

And the Tower of the Americas.

[MolcaJete]

I actually like the ITC in an early 70s sci-fi movie kind of way. It's a very stout building and you don't see many built like that these days. But I like many others never went back since my 2nd grade field trip except when looking to go to the restroom and get some AC during many Texas Folklife Festivals. It's coming down.

And in other news, the Spurs just released a MOU today. They even mention the F-word. "Funding", that is:

https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-sha...trict-signed-memorandum-of-understanding

RC Buford, San Antonio Spurs Chief Executive Officer

“We appreciate the partnership between the City and County as we take steps together in exploring a future downtown Spurs arena. This is an exciting project that we believe presents the opportunity to energize our economy, strengthen our community and position San Antonio for long-term success.

This process allows us to purposefully evaluate how an arena in the heart of a thriving entertainment district can drive new economic opportunities, local business growth and increased tourism revenue, all of which benefit our entire region.

As we move forward, we will continue working closely with local leaders, businesses and the community to explore the best path to responsibly fund and develop a venue that serves all of San Antonio. We are thrilled about the possibilities ahead and look forward to engaging our community in shaping this vision.”

[SpiritofSeguin]

Did the UTSA School of Hospitality get axed from Project Marvel? Because for me personally that is a super important part of the original presentation that by itself would open a new chapter for downtown development. UTSA owns the old USAA building, they got two new towers on San Pedro Creek plus the old Western store off of Flores, and their existing Frio campus...things are happening with them.

[JACKinBeantown]

You can see the Institute of Texan Vulgar being dismantled on the TXdot camera!

Search "Alamodome" and click on the image with the Tower.

https://its.txdot.gov/its/District/SAT/cameras

[SpiritofSeguin]

I fed ChatGPT some of my Hemisfair photos and asked it to add a Spurs arena. The results are...interesting.

[CWalk99]

Here is a short video showing that demolition work underway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puRMdD7kcdU

[JACKinBeantown]

I admit that as much as I've always hated this building, it's always been there and a part of me is sad to see it go. It's been part of downtown SA since my childhood. But then I remember that it has also always been a big waste of space that almost nobody ever used, and now it will be replaced with something much more important to San Antonio that millions of people will use. Go, Spurs, go!

[SpiritofSeguin]

It was used plenty for field trips, as well as the Texas Folklife and Asian Cultural Festivals, but it technically should've been torn down right after the World's Fair. It was a temporary structure and you can see how when they knock back the walls the frames seemingly don't have any insulation. This architectural report goes into a lot of detail and mentions it was built "without a vapor barrier". To call it an institute or a museum was kind of an exaggeration, more like the Exhibit Center of Texan Cultures. And the exhibits were never updated since 1968.

Times change. The ITC served it's purpose well, but now it's time for the Hemisfair Arena and Project Marvel.

[MolcaJete]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

I admit that as much as I've always hated this building, it's always been there and a part of me is sad to see it go. It's been part of downtown SA since my childhood. But then I remember that it has also always been a big waste of space that almost nobody ever used, and now it will be replaced with something much more important to San Antonio that millions of people will use. Go, Spurs, go!

A lot of people feel that way. Myself included. I'd go to the Folklife Festival every year when I was 9-12 or so. My sister always danced there and I was too young to leave at home so I rode the berms on cardboard with the other kids and roamed the grounds. Fun times.

Looks like demo will continue. SACS just doesn't have a case: https://sanantonioreport.org/judges-ruli...e-razing-of-institute-of-texan-cultures/

[JACKinBeantown]

Starts at 29:05.

• Video Link
https://www.youtube.com/live/TdnY3-YjvVE?si=aybembskhs2jtIqp&t=1745

[Runner]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

Starts at 29:05.

• Video Link
https://www.youtube.com/live/TdnY3-YjvVE?si=aybembskhs2jtIqp&t=1745

Why don’t they just dynamite the whole place down and be done with it?

[JACKinBeantown]

I was hoping the would. I'd have flown down to watch that!

-----

You can hear the pilot and/or cameraman talking to someone on his headset. Here's the part that encapsulates the entire discussion about this fugly building (37:04):

https://www.youtube.com/live/TdnY3-YjvVE?si=LaOLRUz38j2FqW3M&t=2224

[JACKinBeantown]

City officials approve new 'Project Marvel' funding plan

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/instagram/city-officials-approve-new-project-marvel-funding-plan

"City council approved a new 'Project Financial Zone' (PFZ) in a quick vote Thursday morning, also voting to toss out the one before it.

That agreement lets the city use state taxes within a three-mile radius approved zones. The city can cast a wider net under the new agreement."

[JACKinBeantown]

Appeals court denies Conservation Society attempt to halt ITC demolition

SAN ANTONIO - A state appeals court has denied a motion to stop the demolition of the former Institute of Texan Cultures.

On Thursday, the 15th Court of Appeals denied the Conservation Society of San Antonio's motion for emergency relief, as well as their requested injunction to stop demolition of the Texas Pavilion at Hemisfair, former home to UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures...

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/a...n-society-attempt-to-halt-itc-demolition



Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this POS!

[JACKinBeantown]

"With ‘little left to save,’ Conservation Society loses its appeal to save Institute of Texan Cultures building"

https://sanantonioreport.org/with-little...ve-institute-of-texan-cultures-building/


https://i0.wp.com/sanantonioreport.org/w...Texan-Cultures-2-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1

[JACKinBeantown]

I am absolutely all for saving worthwhile old buildings. This one did not fit that criterion.

[SpiritofSeguin]

At long last...the beast comes down!

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by SpiritofSeguin

At long last...the beast comes down!

Bittersweet. (Mostly sweet.)

Nice photos.