Project Profile
La Cantera Master Plan
San Antonio, Texas
Client: City of San Antonio
Project Summary: The La Cantera Master Plan outlined the development of La Cantera, a premier family-oriented entertainment and resort destination adjacent to the new Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio, Texas.
Project Highlights
The primary objective of the plan was to provide a unique Texas experience with national and international appeal. TGC analysis of the La Cantera Master Plan suggested methods through which La Cantera Development Corporation could achieve efficiencies through shared and remote parking and mobility transport systems. Alternative concepts developed for the proposed revised Master Plan recognized that planning for The Value Retail Center was well underway and the flexibility to alter its location and basic configuration was limited. The land uses of a cinema, major entertainment activities, hotel/convention complex, and office facilities were also considered in the analysis. TGC’s proposed revision of the Master Plan linked major plan components to achieve better interaction between uses and, through the use of shared parking and internal transit, saved La Cantera approximately $11 million and 40 acres of land throughout.
Special Planning Issues
In the process of evaluating the Master Plan and in developing ideas for refinement, TGC discovered several important planning issues.
The Value Retail Center: Moving The Value Retail Center would allow the conversion of 17 acres of marginal land into 17 acres of prime value land.
Unnecessary Roadways: Some roadways specified in the Master Plan could be reduced, which would result in a savings of approximately $2 million in capital costs and 10 acres of developable land.
Water Problems associated with drainage, which affect the location of The Value Retail Center, are also an opportunity to associate water and entertainment with the Entertainment Village. TGC proposed that a channel be developed with entertainment features to enhance the aesthetics and overall theme of La Cantera while simultaneously adding the significant additional drainage capacity required to meet hydrological demands during heavy rains.