[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6454017,"mediaKeyId","5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0","parentId",5873478,"title","HDRC issues mixed approvals for first wave of digital media and arts display pilot downtown","audioSeconds",1111,"startMs",3347000,"endMs",4458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0&start=3347&end=4458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0/thumbnail_3347000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454017/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/HDRC-issues-mixed-approvals-for-first-wave-of-digital-media-and-arts-display-pilot-downtown","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454017-3d0daaa3dbbd8ed2aaf7295192f8c284/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202965&Signature=YtC4dBc3RVslKuKpEKy7mhYRDHaUNSs9R4Wwoe12c1iaTgN~L9WdSn-qShaNPshGeU9TvVdFSlR-d~s5TUuMG0Lzclh-33dS60a27F7VomsbumZzT5iffrghrGPTcVgDRb11VVFvtljcbdA2Ck5taat11MIu7xM~5X82ZADFnOaNpADMj221XXhkgrPTUQDAMGgW61THvCGjlVP2rjvVQInWvjPnxfF3hdxP0ItjABjaEb57phwZ-96FwoXHhsYoy6gjHvE3u9P2Ai4WJxE9NlW0RgTcGqixwDDGsnAuruQV7qd2WLpFY1fbtVMSrG1UTUDDGUoZFiZlxxXUpLlCYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Antonio","date","2025-10-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Historic and Design Review Commission took multiple actions Wednesday on the city’s first pilot of digital media and arts displays, granting conceptual or conditional approvals for several proposed wall-mounted screens while asking for additional design detail or denying one location staff found visible from the River Walk.

Why it matters: The pilot program is intended to test how programmable digital displays can be integrated into downtown San Antonio as public-art and wayfinding platforms. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the program’s experimental nature and urged higher design standards for early installations to set the precedent for later proposals.

Summary of key outcomes (by application):
- 100 & 6 South St. Mary’s (applicant Capital Outdoor / Killen Griffin & Fairmont): Conceptual approval granted; design team reduced size and recessed the sign to improve integration with the building facade. Commissioners requested shop/profile drawings and a site visit to confirm River Walk visibility. (Roll-call: Commission carried the motion.)

- Staybridge Suites (I‑37 frontage): Approved as presented after DRC revisions; commissioners asked the applicant to keep spacing and detailing appropriate to the façade and submit final profile drawings for permitting.

- 451 Soledad (two façades): Commission conceptually approved the south façade treatment and asked for additional design development on the north façade; stipulation added that neither sign be visible from the River Walk level. (Motion passed with conditions.)

- 421 West Market (OutFront Media / GRG Architecture): Commissioners split the application; the commission approved one display conceptually and sent a second, more intrusive display back to DRC for further design work so it better relates to the building’s vertical rhythm.

- 412 East Commerce (two-corner proposal): Staff recommended approving the Southwest corner installation and rejecting the Northeast corner because staff found it visible from the River Walk. The commission denied the Northeast corner and approved the Southwest corner as recommended.

What commissioners said: Commissioners repeatedly asked applicants to treat the displays as public-art projects, not billboards, and to return with detailed mounting and profile drawings. Commissioner Velasquez urged applicants to treat these first approvals as standard-setters: \"...because y'all are the first,\" he told applicants, \"it is very important that you hear that we appreciate that you listened, but that every detail of this thing should be approached in the spirit of what the pilot is, which is as a, as an art project.\"

Staff direction and next steps: Several approvals were conceptual or conditional. Staff and applicants were instructed to provide detailed shop drawings, line-of-sight analyses from the River Walk where requested, and final profile/shop drawings before permits are issued. For at least one site staff will require a site visit to confirm visibility from the River Walk prior to permit issuance.

Ending: Commissioners approved a number of pilot installations but made clear that final permitting will depend on detailed drawings, riverfront visibility checks and, in some cases, additional design work at DRC. The early approvals create a precedent the commission said must emphasize artistic integration and careful facade detailing rather than billboard-style displays.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Antonio - Historic and Design Review Commission Oct 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Historic and Design Review Commission granted conceptual or conditional approval to several digital display proposals downtown, continued or required additional review for others, and denied at least one location that staff found visible from the River Walk.","taxTitle","San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",2771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454022,"Commission approves renaming short Matagorda Street segment to 'Aldea' with historic-name stipulation",896,1212000,2108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0&start=1212&end=2108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0/thumbnail_1212000.jpg","/articles/6454022/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Commission-approves-renaming-short-Matagorda-Street-segment-to-Aldea-with-historic-name-stipulation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454022-9d34e8d03dccab275b19a69951f42ce4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202965&Signature=dk-5klOoq0w5TTMjYpQDeQbXAbjOQ3VyXenWxC6QhvZ14EoIbCynn-8uOO6UJtNyUNcCDC9RMiWfde77y50lZVKHKYetqOWbU-hfHR0j1eixINQkobSAQFtklpqI-~6CToZd9jQe97LXE59xwI5Ylm79EGnYsknMRwLiuBv75aR1PTw~P4k~AboplkoMyiMwvfC28EmfbV6-mwjCR0TXZpEFjE3ykDsTSiv2vUm9vwmP1OObv-f1KPSNiYFm-0CzxrlEW9gfqZPb9859Tp-P9UbtbTZXAsZxnpirZ~Y22RHDM2BcvaFeZ7w8jWSgdKEH8AHR8V3YMyDGHpsyaOIijA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic and Design Review Commission on Wednesday approved a request to rename a short segment of Matagorda Street (the portion to become a private drive adjacent to a new development) to \"Aldea,\" a name proposed by the developer, but only after commissioners and the applicant agreed to a stipulation to commemorate the historic Matagorda name.

Why it matters: The segment is a remnant of an older street grid that runs near the Hemisphere Plaza area. Commissioners framed the vote as balancing wayfinding and private-development branding with the public value of historic street-name continuity.

What happened: Clayton Wallace of Development Services described the street-vacation and application-processing role of his department. Omar Gonzalez of Oxbow Development Group told the commission the developer chose \"Aldea\" (Spanish for \"village\") to brand a private drive that will be a dead-end once the development closes the right-of-way. Gonzalez said the change is limited to the short, vacated portion and Matagorda Street will continue south of Lavaca Street.

Public and commissioner discussion focused on continuity and memory. Several commissioners urged the developer to find ways to \"honor the historic name of Matagorda\" in the project’s landscaping or wayfinding. Commissioner discussion noted the street has been segmented through past development and that keeping a visible reference could preserve continuity for drivers and residents.

Final motion and conditions: The commission approved the renaming with a staff stipulation that the developer include a measure to honor the historic Matagorda name for the portion being renamed. The roll-call vote recorded three \"no\" votes and a majority \"yes.\" The motion passed 7–3 with the record showing a split among commissioners over whether continuity should outweigh the developer's branding.

What comes next: The name change applies to the private drive created by vacating the public right-of-way; the Office of Historic Preservation staff and the developer will coordinate on the commemorative element.","The commission approved a proposal to rename a short, vacated segment of Matagorda Street to 'Aldea' tied to a private development, and added a stipulation to honor the historic Matagorda name in landscaping or signage.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454027,"HDRC approves Brackenridge Park nature playscape after debate over trees, maintenance and bridge",938,2056000,2994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0&start=2056&end=2994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0/thumbnail_2056000.jpg","/articles/6454027/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/HDRC-approves-Brackenridge-Park-nature-playscape-after-debate-over-trees-maintenance-and-bridge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454027-266f863cd7b0d74c906414d00a6485fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202965&Signature=X~npAsa0xIskG6OuWCxuJS~~8tjKnfxB3A~DZ2Aa14jADs0zL5FUXo6J3OOYHvk8mVk~Df-4WshvbBuSu3pUKUEI0WNW2yFztnM8FGGuXHcJWIDxEfmX-RHlIwlxbK9vmBEVYukwT9OYh3L-xy6jumCAlUsLnObnnx0yv1VXIhDxkiePMzjXAfSzVcIe6dQ10aWVKGcNnl-nncqAkYqej3L5rktJMMg7DP3RLbdkgbZgE0bX17kz1pQtNORjA4P2l6zVQoePuQf30wMa7G6rDUJsvb7Ryyit6AuzQmMDrHSnjr3vPR7Kn3NIw1LkmbCwIOaOV~V~Sjye7q02IrM3CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic and Design Review Commission on Wednesday approved a proposed nature playscape and accompanying water feature at Brackenridge Park, despite objections from some commissioners and members of the public about impacts to large heritage trees and how the water feature would be maintained.

The commission voted after a presentation from Chris Matri, chief executive officer of the Brackenridge Park Conservancy, and Michael Killeen, the project landscape architect. Matri told commissioners the design team hired Urban Tree Company to evaluate heritage trees and that 20 trees would be relocated within the park; \"We are not removing any. We are relocating 20 trees,\" he said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The site is a heavily used, historic segment of Brackenridge Park that adjoins the San Antonio River and provides shade and habitat valued by residents. Several public speakers urged the Conservancy and city to avoid cutting significant trees and to preserve bird habitat. Commissioners pressed the project team for clarity on tree-protection methods, water treatment and bridge access that would link the playscape to surrounding neighborhoods.

What the Conservancy told the commission:
- The project will add 94 new trees on the two-acre site (42 shade trees and 52 ornamentals) and relocate 20 existing trees; Matri said private funds would pay for irrigation and trees and that \"$726,000 of this project are going towards irrigation, ornamental, and shade trees.\"
- The Conservancy said Parks and Recreation staff will maintain the water feature and the system will be remotely monitored and chlorinated; Matri said the Parks aquatic team committed to maintaining pumps and motors and that the water feature would be shut down when necessary.
- The bridge linking the site to parking and the broader riverwalk area is currently an alternate, unfunded element; project staff said they are actively fundraising and have coordinated placement with the San Antonio River Authority.

Public concerns: Multiple speakers in public comment — including Ellen Patterson, an attorney who described the value of the park's heritage trees and birdlife, and Kathleen Trinchard, who warned digital signage and other modern intrusions were changing downtown — urged the commission to protect trees and wildlife and to ensure full community input. Ida Ayala, a longtime resident, asked the Conservancy to honor earlier assurances that \"not a single large heritage or significant tree would be cut.\" Those speakers were cited during the commission’s questioning.

Commission reaction and conditions: Commissioners repeatedly pressed the team on details: depth of excavation near root zones, methods for root pruning and transplant survival, and contingency plans if the River Authority requires a different bridge location. Several commissioners said relocation and robust arborist oversight were essential to approval. The commission approved the application with staff stipulations and without a requirement to redesign the water feature; the roll call vote recorded several \"nays\" but a majority approved the project.

What happens next: The Conservancy will proceed to permitting and must follow the arborist’s methods for tree protection, the Parks maintenance plan for the water feature, and any additional conditions required by the River Authority for the bridge. The Conservancy said it had committed private funds and that Parks staff would perform ongoing maintenance.

Ending: The vote clears the way for construction to proceed through permitting, but several commissioners and public speakers said they will watch implementation closely, particularly tree-transplant survival and any future changes to the bridge plan.","The Historic and Design Review Commission approved a nature playscape and water feature for Brackenridge Park after commissioners and members of the public debated tree protection, maintenance plans for the water feature and the location/funding for a proposed pedestrian bridge.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454013,"Commission approves 901 N. Alamo rehab package including siding and windows after owner agrees to added trim and paint stipulations",290,11470000,11760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0&start=11470&end=11760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873478-4693a60c80b5466167f008dd9d442fe0/thumbnail_11470000.jpg","/articles/6454013/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Commission-approves-901-N-Alamo-rehab-package-including-siding-and-windows-after-owner-agrees-to-added-trim-and-paint-stipulations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454013-21b4c8f8769785e5350776dacccd61ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202965&Signature=KBv2exgosdgEAmb6cvtRRqtg-AgIbDjg8rbEy8rohZXhw6vq60IIeHxidWjKPXgdEr0YFVLM-1HBaMLNTdYxAOfWJ39E3cXziMavU2b98XZPtNtTsTcXK4TV7FYooIYJRZ82ZW43Fg1RP1xKeF6Qfj1LxeaQc0RzOHRWUY6YCSeX6fGjHt8XJ8SImXhRkOc3KueZyZQse5TE-CL3oZaS3z8PmIoedyATlj2BzO5brC6HCCk2qeFFNT-iOHENv50brj6INg-DfPU1OH38ImQ9XzvmCckQUGxc5k4TSaRAq85k0wL6Z1g7SeeRRvgxq3Px5aYdmyFIvxzVbKtlwUna3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic and Design Review Commission approved a package of work Wednesday for a commercial conversion at 901 North Alamo, allowing wholesale replacement of recently installed windows with a condition that the applicant install wood or aluminum-clad wood windows or otherwise add trim to better approximate a historic appearance.

What the owner proposed: The property owner, who plans an eating-and-drinking establishment, asked for replacement of non-original windows, installation of fiber-cement lap siding with a 4.5–5 inch reveal, and a 12-foot chain-link fence at the rear to enclose a pickleball court. The owner said the existing historic-era windows were no longer present; staff confirmed the windows in the primary footprint are not original and were installed within the last 20 years.

Discussion and stipulations: Staff’s written recommendation favored a wood or clad-wood window product, but the applicant said budget and breakage risk at a ground-floor, high-activity bar made vinyl a practical option. During the hearing the applicant agreed to add additional exterior trim to the new windows and to paint the nonhistoric white portions to reduce visual contrast; staff also stipulated the fiber-cement siding be installed with a 4.5–5 inch reveal and that the fence be limited to the pickleball perimeter with required street setbacks.

Commission reaction and vote: Several commissioners referenced the building’s degraded condition and the economics of rehabilitating the shell. After discussion the commission approved the package and recorded a roll-call vote in favor. Staff will verify the final window trim details and paint scheme prior to permit issuance.

Why it matters: The decision balances preservation standards with the owner’s goal to re-open a commercial use in a deteriorated building; commissioners and staff required design mitigations to reduce the visual impact of nonhistoric elements.

Ending: The owner can proceed to permitting, subject to the Commission’s stipulations on window trim, siding reveal and fence placement; staff will review the final shop drawings before issuing any certificates of appropriateness or building permits.","The commission approved a package of rehabilitation work at 901 North Alamo — including wholesale window replacement, fiber‑cement lap siding and a perimeter fence — after the owner agreed to provide additional window trim and paint details to better match the building’s historic character.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HDRC issues mixed approvals for first wave of digital media and arts display pilot downtown

Commission approves renaming short Matagorda Street segment to 'Aldea' with historic-name stipulation

HDRC approves Brackenridge Park nature playscape after debate over trees, maintenance and bridge

Commission approves 901 N. Alamo rehab package including siding and windows after owner agrees to added trim and paint stipulations