The new river barge design that was selected through a City-sponsored international competition last week was well received by City Council members on Wednesday who received an in-depth look at the craft’s specifications.
If the design receives official approval from City Council on April 28, an aggressive schedule for selecting a manufacturer and operator will be triggered to make sure the barges are tested and ready before the city’s Tricentennial celebrations in 2018, said John Jacks, interim director of the Center City Development and Operations. The City expects to purchase about 44 new barges, expected to cost between $45,000 to $60,000 each, and spend a maximum amount of $4 million.
“(The barge design) reimagines the San Antonio experience, and responds to the needs of tourists and residents,” Jacks said.
The winning design came from Houston-based architecture and product design firm Metalab and was selected by a panel of 11 jurors during the international competition organized by the City and AIA San Antonio. The City’s Historic and Design Review Commission also approved the design on Wednesday afternoon.
“I think everyone is very excited about this,” said Mayor Taylor. “This barge really is important because it helps form initial impressions of our city for many of the people who visit here.”
The design was selected for its flexibility, durability, aesthetic design, and single-level deck – which will allow individuals in wheelchairs to move directly on to the barge and sit next to other passengers. The seating can also be arranged to host a variety of users and events including yoga, dancing, special meals, parades, commuters, residents, and visitors.
All Metalab construction documents will be finalized this June, a request for proposal (RFP) will be issued for the barge fabricator in July, and the City will work with Metalab to produce a prototype barge for river testing by September. The City will make their final recommendation for a manufacturer to City Council in November, and a new fleet of river barges will be in the water by September 2017.
“As we develop the new RFP, we’ll be looking for the operator to define the different uses, and how those will welcome the community,” said Councilman Roberto Treviño (D1). “We want these barges to be the City’s barges.”
And indeed the City will own the barges.
Rio San Antonio Cruises, the company that owns and runs the current barge fleet, has requested a contract extension that will allow it to operate until September 2017, when the new barges should be in the river. The company has also requested that the City allow it to raise ticke prices to pay for increased payroll, healthcare costs, and credit card charges. The City’s revenue could increase from from $6.5 million in FY 2016 to up to $7 million in FY 2017 and could use the extra money to pay for the entire new fleet in three to four years, Jacks said. City Council will vote on the proposed increase and extension on April 28 when the new designs are also considered.
To view the project timeline and action items, click here.
“Everything on the boat including the railing is modular in nature,” Metalab Principal Joe Meppelink told the Rivard Report. “We can attach railing, seating or removed and replaced. Besides the patterns and forums, we’ve talked about creating (Spurs-themed) railings, in case they win the Championships this year. There could even be local artists who contribute to the designs.”
Some San Antonians were disappointed that a non-local firm won the design competition, but Council members were confident that the new design reflects local flavors and experiences – citing the lengthy competition process and cultural/professional diversity of the jury panel.
“Once the barges are here, people are going to fall in love with these pieces,” Treviño said. “This is, in addition to a barge, public art. It’s about that emotional experience, connecting with our city, loving our city.”
Top Image: A model of the new river barge design by Metalab. Photo by Lea Thompson.
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Looks good!! Glad the barges will allow wheelchairs and walkers to be used. Y’all need to report that.
Barges run up and down the river mostly empty. Ticket prices should be cheap enough that locals would ride; wouldn’t full boats be a better draw?
Tickets ARE reasonable, and locals get a discount
Nice design but how are hotels and restaurants supposed to utilize this barge as a dinner barge? The older design was a little more logical because at least you could walk around the guest. With the seats plastered to the walls I don’t see how this is possible anymore.
Another stupid decision from city council. What about the potholes, flooding and crime rates, and drunk driving? Yeah…
Riverwalk is the #2 tourist draw in the #1 tourist destination in TX. Yes, the barges need to look good.
Not only do the barges run empty so do the E streetcars and yet they can’t take care of 2nd. Saturday. What gives don’t the residence count?
I thought the River Barge business was where private firms bid to be able to have the right to exclusive use of the river for their barges? The current contract with Rio City Barges ends in Dec with a new company to take over in Jan 2016; the old companies were Texas River Barges, then Fiesta River Barge and even Yanaguana Cruises back in the day. So does the city buys the barges then pay a firm to run the concession ?
You’ve got it figured out. There would be no other way to do it. The city uses those barges for parades….they have to control the design. They have to control the ambiance of the whole river area. I have no problem with it.
Do they waste money or send some to cronies? Absolutely.
Governments at all levels are all corrupt. Every one…right down to the School District and PTA….all little kingdoms where little Kings waste our money.
Our tax dollars… Going to waste on what is supposed to be private enterprise… I smell elected rats trying to cash in.
Really? A city with 20% of people living in poverty (according to census) and they decide to invest on this?
I would’ve liked to see a river taxi design to cart people from one end of the river to the other, like a trolley
Hey I got it …..We can name the barges after the players from the new triple a baseball team Miss Ivy just got talked into………..