SAN ANTONIO – In the rendering above, you can see a proposed observation wheel towering over 200 feet near the Alamodome.
Nico Juarez, who lives nearby, says the development could bring major benefits.
“This could cause great growth and bring a lot of people in,” said Juarez.
Last Wednesday, the San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission approved more detailed plans, making the project one step closer to reality.
Juarez is glad to see the often-over looked parking lot just north of the Alamodome getting serious attention.
“The big complaint is that San Antonio is not the most walkable, down town the most walkable social life like you kind of have in Austin and some places in Dallas, but that would kind of like merge everything together,” said Juarez.
Centro San Antonio CEO Trish DeBerry agrees.
“281 obviously represents a barrier,” said DeBerry.
She says the proposed project which includes not only the observation wheel but also a mini golf course, an event plaza, and a carousel complements the upcoming Project MARVEL, being considered just across Highway 281.
“All roads lead to down town,” said DeBerry.
The development is being led by ICON Experiences, a company whose team includes members who have worked on major projects like Schlitterbahn Galveston.
“We have something really special going on in down town for them to say hey this is where we want to plant the flag in Texas and its gonna be right here is San Antonio,” said DeBerry.
DeBerry says this is a privately funded initiative, meaning developers do not plan to use taxpayer dollars.
The revised plan will still need to go back before the San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission for final approval.