Construction has taken over two iconic Fiesta locations. The question is when will it be done?
With about a month until the party with a purpose kicks off we looked into what you can expect when heading downtown.
Fiesta is just around the corner but two party with a purpose epicenters, La Villita and Market Square look a little different right now.
“I think we're in the wonder stage, how it's going to turn out,” Mercado Association President Greg Pena said.
Pena has a close eye on the Market Square construction.
The city said the project will bring new water, gas and telecommunication lines.
“We do have an either once a month, or if needed twice a month meetings with Public Works,” Pena said.
Getting to and from Market Square for Fiesta De Los Reyes could be challenging because of what you see all around Market Square, which is construction and closed portions of the road.
A few blocks away at La Villita, home to NIOSA, another major construction project is underway.
“We work very closely with any major event in downtown to make sure we do not affect their event or their businesses,” San Antonio’s Public Works Director Razi Hosseini said.
Hosseini explains why they couldn't start either project after Fiesta.
“I wish it was a two-month project, and we would wait for Fiesta to be over them you start no matter when we start we are going to catch one of the Fiestas.
Hosseini said La Villita's project should be done before NIOSA's staging starts in mid-April.
In 2022 they had to break up the event to different locations.
“Right now, we're looking at, we'll be fine for staging which occurs it starts about a week before around the 18th of April,” NIOSA Chairman Patti Zaiontz said.
As for Market Square it'll be under construction but still open until at least 2024.
Both Pena and Yvette Ramirez, with the city's Farmer's Market Plaza Association, said construction does impact their sales.
They are however hopeful Fiesta will give them a needed boost.
“We already saw how it turned out really good for the Tejano Fan Fair [last] weekend. We're sort of keeping optimistic on the same way for Fiesta,” Pena said,
“I think the construction will impact it but I believe strongly in our local citizens that love Fiesta they wait for Fiesta annually,” Ramirez said.
Public Works said construction will be paused at Market Square during Fiesta.
If you want to see what the final result will look like head to our photo gallery.
South Alamo Street will still be under construction during Fiesta but it will be limited to accomdate for events.