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Court backs $2.5M county contribution to restore Alameda Theatre marquee and blade sign
Summary
After a multi-year campaign and updated financing, the Alameda Theatre Conservancy asked the court to support restoration focused on the historic neon blade sign and marquee; commissioners voted unanimously to approve a county funding agreement enabling the project to proceed toward a 2028 opening target.
The Bexar County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on March 10 to approve a funding agreement supporting the restoration of the historic Alameda Theatre, with a county contribution prioritized to restore the theatre's neon blade sign and marquee. Trey Jacobson, interim executive director of the Alameda Theatre Conservancy, told the court the conservancy had secured $22 million in historic tax credits and that the full project will cost about $64 million to complete.
"In short, we're ready to go," Jacobson said, summarizing the completed designs, permit coordination and capital campaign progress. Pete Cortez, chair of the conservancy board, said the conservancy has negotiated professional management with a national operator and will provide multiple community-use days each year. Cortez said the effort is a "labor of love" and told commissioners the project will deepen cultural programming on the West Side while providing educational access for Kâ12 students.
Commissioners asked about accessibility, minority- and women-owned contracting goals and how community uses would be prioritized. Jacobson said the conservancy has goals for local minority and women contracting and that five free community-use days would be allocated to the county each year. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez emphasized the project had been in the budget for several years and that earlier county investments and recent private fundraising positioned the conservancy to accelerate construction; the court approved the motion to proceed.
The conservancy estimated it could close financing by June 30 and open the theater in early 2028 if bridge financing and remaining capital contributions are finalized. Commissioners said they expect future staff briefings to confirm contract terms, safeguards for public funds and reporting on minority contracting goals prior to release of any additional county dollars.
