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Airport project wins approval for connector after debate over how to commemorate historic Building 1322
Summary
The commission approved the enclosed connector between the new San Antonio International terminal and garage, accepting staff stipulations after commissioners debated whether the design sufficiently pays homage to historic Building 1322 and salvage/reuse plans.
The Historic and Design Review Commission approved Jan. 21 the design for an enclosed connector between the new San Antonio International Airport terminal and parking garage while accepting a package of staff stipulations and mitigation commitments to commemorate Building 1322.
Assistant city manager Jeff Coyle and architect John Trippiano (Corrigan Associates) described work to document and commemorate Building 1322: HABS documentation submitted to the Texas Historical Commission, interpretive signage and a 3‑D model, exploratory selective demolition to determine salvageable materials, and reuse of travertine and Y‑shaped column fragments as benches and cladding in the pedestrian Paseo. "It's actually the largest construction project we've ever undertaken," Jeff Coyle told commissioners, underlining the team's effort to integrate historic elements into a new terminal opening in 2028.
Why it mattered: Commissioners praised the salvage and interpretive steps but debated whether the proposed "shadow" landscape and benches adequately convey the building's three‑dimensional character. Commissioner Fetzer urged exploring a stronger 3‑D expression—an arbor or trellis—to better communicate the original roof form to passersby; others warned against literal mimicry and said the plan satisfies prior mitigation requirements. The applicant said full structural reuse of some elements is not feasible but proposed interactive benches, travertine reuse, interpretive signage and an airport‑hosted website and time‑lapse documentation.
Outcome: After discussion and a roll call vote, the commission approved the connector with staff stipulations requiring documented mitigation steps, salvage investigation, and final design details to be submitted to staff for compliance prior to permits. The motion carried by roll call.
Next steps: Staff will condition final approval on the submitted mitigation materials and documentation for salvage and interpretive efforts; the applicant said they will share additional details as the exploratory demolition proceeds.
Sources: Presentation by Jeff Coyle and John Trippiano; commissioner questions and roll call vote at HDRC meeting Jan. 21, 2026.
