Historic and Design Review Commission approves Main Plaza pavilion with staff stipulations after debate over height and turf

The Historic and Design Review Commission voted April 1 to approve a proposal to add a covered pavilion, performance stage and small catering/restaurant at 115 Main Plaza in San Antonio.

Jay Maurice Gibbs, chair of the Historic and Design Review Commission, called the case and led the discussion before commissioners voted to approve the project with staff stipulations.

The project team, represented by Elaine Kearney of TPG Partners, said the pavilion is intended to provide durable infrastructure for free public events — increased shade, a built-in performance stage and a modest food-and-beverage component that the conservancy expects to rent for revenue to fund plaza maintenance. "The Conservancy was founded in 2008 when the renovations were completed to the plaza," Natalie Smith, chair of the Main Plaza Conservancy, told commissioners, saying the group has hosted recurring events and needs infrastructure that supports programming.

Architect Allison Chambers described service and operations details for the proposed pavilion and restaurant: "The idea is that the trash will be in small, smaller size dumpsters and taken out on a daily basis," she said, and identified a back-of-house area on the north elevation for waste storage and cleaning access. Chambers also said the top of the pavilion structure is "22 feet and 4 inches," and that the increased height is driven by the need for stage sight lines.

Commissioners focused on several recurring concerns. Multiple members questioned the pavilion’s scale and its relationship to historic sight lines, asking for additional north-side elevations showing the view toward San Fernando Cathedral from Commerce Street. Commissioners also raised concerns about heat and maintenance for the proposed artificial turf; the project team said turf was chosen for durability in high-traffic areas but that alternative materials and shading strategies would continue to be evaluated. The applicant noted that mapped heritage trees will be protected and additional trees planted to help mitigate the structure’s scale.

Design details the team described included returning the plaza to a gentler grade for ADA access (a slope under 2 percent across most of the plaza), a central inlaid-granite "timeline" element highlighting Main Plaza’s history and limited power hookups and removable bollards to accommodate food trucks without generators when needed. Natalie Smith said the conservancy has coordinated with the Canary Islands Descendants Association on historical storytelling elements and has a letter of support from the Archdiocese; Father Carlos of San Fernando Cathedral serves on the conservancy board and participated in the master-planning process.

After questions and requests for additional studies — including an elevation from the north/commercial side to show the cathedral view — a commissioner moved to approve the project with staff stipulations and the commission approved the motion by roll call.

The commission asked the applicants to return for additional DRC review as the plans are refined and noted that the commission’s action does not replace any required city permits; staff said certificates of appropriateness or the commission action letter will be prepared and emailed within 10 days.

The commission adjourned following the vote.