North San Antonio Edition | November 2025

Government

BY PARKS KUGLE

San Antonio looks to improve downtown River Walk experience On Oct. 1, the San Antonio City Council received a brieng on the rst strategic plan for River Walk improvements since 2008. The gist Shanon Miller, director of the Oce of Historic Preservation, said the new strategic plan’s geographic scope includes the historic horseshoe area, as well as the channel extending north into the museum reach and the turn basin by the River Center Mall. Miller said the plan has a wide scope of focus to ensure that it enhances the experience of visitors and residents alike. “The scope of work [will have] to take a holistic approach to consider all of the opportunities that we have to improve the overall experience,” Miller said. Miller also noted that city sta intended to look into any needed updates to the city code. Due to the plan’s wider scope, it could include potential capital improvements and maintenance projects, business growth and ways to improve trac and circulation. Key focus areas include: • Signage updates • Potential ordinance changes • Waynding solutions • Accessibility enhancements • Technology integration • Public art

The new strategic plan will seek to improve tourist and resident experiences on the San Antonio River Walk.

PARKS KUGLECOMMUNITY IMPACT

• Landscaping Miller said the plan will seek to help improve business opportunities in slower months. “We’ve heard that foot trac is slower in sum- mer months due to heat, so we will look at things like new opportunities for shade or maybe even misters along the river,” Miller said. Looking ahead City sta are currently working on selecting dierent projects and negotiating contracts. There will also be a citywide SASpeakUp campaign to gather community input. The strategic plan is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of scal year 2026-27.

River Walk strategic plan focus

New capital improvements and maintenance strategy

Business growth and attraction

Pedestrian trac and circulation

Infrastructure improvements

Ecological considerations

Potential for exploring adjacent areas and street level connections

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIOCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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