Alamo to begin new era

Texas’ iconic landmark, the Alamo, is undergoing a major transformation. Called the Alamo Plan, the significant redevelopment project comes with a price tag of more than half a billion dollars.

To be revealed this Fall is the Plaza de Valero. It features a large lawn, seating, increased tree coverage and a pavilion for performances. Planners aim to connect history with current-day engagement in what they hope will be a vibrant, community- focused setting.

In 2025, the Texas Cavaliers Education Center and the enhanced Paseo del Alamo, which connects the Alamo to the Riverwalk, will open. These two projects are part of the vision to transform the Alamo into a more engaging and informative experience.

The Alamo Plan has already seen significant progress with the completion of several projects. The Palisade and Southwest Corner Exhibit offer a glimpse into the site’s storied past. The Ralston Family Collections Center houses 500 artifacts for the Alamo Exhibit that is part of nearly 5,000 artifacts in the Alamo Collection. The recently opened Mission Gate and Lunette interpretation is designed to add to the immersive experience.

The Texas State Legislature, led by the efforts of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, generously appropriated $400 million for the project in the last legislative session. The Alamo Trust, Inc. has raised over $62 million to support the initiative. The monumental effort will culminate in late 2027 with the completion of the $185 million Visitors Center and Museum.

This year marks the tricentennial of the Alamo at its current location since 1724. The Battle of the Alamo played a pivotal role in Texas’ fight for independence, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Texas and eventually its statehood in 1845. The new Visitors Center and Museum will tell the full 300-year story of the Alamo through eight chronological galleries, showcasing its significance from the Spanish Colonial period to the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.

Currently, the Alamo attracts 1.6 million visitors each year. With the implementation of the $550 million Alamo Plan, planners anticipate attracting as many as 2.5 million visitors. The Alamo Visitors Center and Museum project alone is expected to have a total economic impact of $11.3 billion in the first five years of construction and five years of operation.