24 April 2024 , 20:55
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The Alamo, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Texan liberty is set to get a $550 (£442) million makeover after many visitors have dubbed it one of America's "most disappointing" tourist attractions.
Extensive building work is beginning to restore the famous Alamo to bring it back to its former appearance during the time of the 1836 Texas Revolution and to enhance the visitor experience, which many found underwhelming However, the project has sparked tension among business owners who have since built on top of and around the historic site.
Some have sold their properties to developers and shut up shop only for them then to be torn down. One owner was even forced to leave through the use of eminent domain because the city took him to court.
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Some visitors don't even stay for 10 minutes (The Alamo.org)The Alamo is a notable Texas historical site, as some 200 heroes died after refusing to surrender to the Mexican Army in an effort to gain independence for Texas. It attracts a huge 2.5 million visitors every year. But tourists are often left underwhelmed when they realize that there isn't much to do after a brief visit to the Alamo church and a stop inside the gift shop for Davy Crockett-themed memorabilia.
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It may not be worth the journey for many tourists. The average visitor spent just eight minutes at the historical site in 2016, prompting the state and City of San Antonio to search for a solution to the problems facing the site.
Many leave the site disappointed (The Alamo.org)"The Alamo has been consistently listed as one of the most disappointing landmarks in our nation," said George P. Bush in 2017, who was then the commissioner of the Texas General Land Office and therefore the custodian of the Alamo. "It is our simple goal to improve the visitor experience for guests and all Texans."
This led to the creation of the Alamo Plan, created in 2017 with the three goals in mind. The first stage of the plan is to preserve the 300-year-old church and existing Long Barrack - which is what most people who have been to the Alamo have seen.
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The Long Barracks were originally quarters and offices for Spanish missionaries, but during the Battle of the Alamo, many Texan soldiers ended up in the barracks and made their last brave stand against storming Santa Anna's soldiers there. The next stage of the Alamo Plan aims to recapture the original size and detail of the 4.5 acre compound in 1836 that includes homes, schools and was home to a full community.
With $550 million in funds secured for the renovation, construction started in 2016 to dig up the original perimeter. causing problems for modern-day San Antonio, a city which has been built on top of the Alamo's ruins.