The Texas Historical Commission and the Antiquities Advisory Board received updates April 23 on two related Alamo projects and approved authorization for a temporary protective enclosure over the Alamo Church in San Antonio.

Cenotaph restoration update
Consultants reported that restoration work on the Alamo Cenotaph is underway, scaffolding is in place and initial cleaning and conservation mock-ups have produced strong results. Presenters said laser cleaning and steam cleaning were selected after testing; conservators have completed cleaning on carved sculptural elements and undertaken localized repairs to patched areas. Structural engineers and materials scientists are surveying damage exposed by cleaning, and work includes treatment of exposed reinforcing, concrete repairs and reinstallation of removed stone units. Staff said no new quarry stone is required because removed stones remain intact for reassembly.

Temporary protective enclosure for the Alamo Church
The commission considered issuance of Historic Buildings and Structures permit number 1326 to allow construction of a temporary protective enclosure, bracing and a gantry crane system to support removal of an early-20th-century concrete barrel vault roof and related roofs over ancillary spaces. THC staff described the structure as an elevated steel platform supported on 14 concrete pile caps with deep micropile foundations. The enclosure includes a membrane roof system, integrated scaffolding and a gantry crane to allow staged removal of concrete, protection of interior finishes and masonry support and repair work. The structure will remain in place throughout the anticipated two-year rehabilitation project.

Votes and authorities
- The Antiquities Advisory Board voted to recommend authorizing the executive director to issue Historic Buildings and Structures permit number 1326 with staff authority to approve necessary minor design changes.
- The full THC then voted to authorize the executive director or designee to issue the permit, likewise delegating authority to staff to review necessary minor design changes as the project progresses. Both votes were taken by voice and carried.

Visitor access and interpretation
Presenters and commissioners noted the protective enclosure is designed to provide a high degree of visual access for visitors while protecting the building and workers. THC staff said access to the interior of the Alamo Church would be limited for safety and security and that limited, guided or hard-hat tours could be offered at carefully selected times when active construction work is not underway. The remainder of the site will remain open to visitors.

Why it matters
The Alamo Church and the cenotaph are among the most visited historic sites in Texas and are covered by multiple preservation, public-safety, interpretive and regulatory considerations. The authorized temporary enclosure is a major construction approach that allows large-scale masonry conservation and structural stabilization while protecting interior finishes and enabling archaeological and drainage work in the site footprint.

Schedule and next steps
Staff reported the cenotaph work is on schedule for completion around September (consultant’s current target) and that the protective enclosure and phased rehabilitation work on the church will proceed under the issued antiquities permit and related design approvals.

Ending note
Commissioners praised the technical approach and emphasized the importance of continued monitoring of humidity and other environmental factors within the enclosure to ensure the long-term preservation of stone and interior finishes.