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“la zona”

333 West Commerce Street
Entrance from Commerce Street or Entrance and parking on Laredo Street

La Zona is a Centro’s newest placemaking space. Hot off the extraordinary success of Peacock Alley, Centro moves west to Commerce Street. Utilizing art as a placemaking catalyst, this courtyard adjacent to Texas Public Radio headquarters, San Pedro Creek, and upcoming private developments has been activated with performance art, sculpture, murals, music, and hyper-local offerings infused with a distinctive San Antonio flavor! La Zona breathes new life into this long-abandoned block and marries a respect for our history, culture, and community with a nod to our cool and exciting future. 

La Zona

Zona Cultural is a 44-block historic district on the western edge of downtown San Antonio, rich with cultural institutions, markets, and public gathering places. As “the birthplace of San Antonio,” it enjoys a strategic location within the city, welcomes visitors year-round, and is home to many established businesses and long-term residents. Featuring popular destinations like Main Plaza and Market Square, the blocks of Zona Cultural are home to clusters of artistic and commercial activity. 

 

However, these activity hubs have historically been disjointed in terms of design aesthetic and physical access. Streets and public spaces lacked a consistent, coherent identity and were often challenging to navigate. These conditions inspired the development of the 2017 Zona Cultural Urban Design and Streetscape Master Plan, intended to revitalize San Antonio’s cultural zone through design and placemaking interventions. The vision and design framework outlined in the Master Plan helped attract initial investments, which began to strengthen connections and fortify a unified, recognizable design lanquage. This 2021 Master Plan Update builds upon the foundational work of the original Master Plan and further details design guidelines and improvements to incrementally shape Zona Cultural into a more cohesive, vibrant, and authentic urban center that will better tell the story of San Antonio and showcase its distinct culture.

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La Zona In The News

La Zona is already an up-and-coming and talked about space for San Antonians to enjoy. Read more in the publications below.

 

San Antonio adds newest hot spot as La Zona kicks off summer lineup– San Antonio Express-News, June 10, 2022

Inaugural Nomad Music Festival spotlights San Antonio, national artists” – Texas Public Radio, June 14, 2022

 

“Art Everywhere” in La Zona

In LOST (Not Forgotten), San Antonio artist, Jeff F. Wheeler borrows from a series he began early in the pandemic lockdown.  Entitled, LOST IN TEXAS, the series became a tribute to the souls we were losing each day to Covid. 

In the Gao Brother’s Sculpture, Mao Zedong, in miniature feminized form, is perched atop founding Soviet Premier Vladimir Lenin’s head. After months of negotiation, it arrived in San Antonio in March of 2022, arranged by James Lifshutz and Centro’s Art Everywhere Project and installed on private property, here in La Zona. Coincidentally, just weeks before, the world had turned its focus to Russian military aggression due to their invasion of Ukraine; this cast an entirely new light on the political resonances of the piece.

In front of the Texas Public radio headquarters, the name of the mural is Los Colores De Los Nativos “The colors of the natives,” It’s all about the inspiration and the love the artist has to share with everyone through his art. Spreading positivity and resilience through tough times, the artist says “anything is possible so keep your head up there’s a whole world waiting for you to spread love unconditionally!”

La Zona Strategic Partners

Centro’s activations and placemaking in La Zona would not be possible without support from our partners at Lifschutz Companies, LP. and the San Antonio Board of Realtors. 

 

market

VISION STATEMENT

Zona Cultural is a crossroads of culture, commerce and community; a destination celebrating the story of San Antonio through music, food, culture, and the arts. Zona Cultural is the birthplace of San Antonio; home to many of the city’s most historic and iconic locations and institutions, including Main Plaza, Plaza de Armas, Market Square, Alameda Theater, and San Fernando Cathedral. Zona Cultural’s history tells San Antonio’s history – from a presidio to a bustling and vibrant global city.

And yet, despite a rich history and a central location in the heart of the City, the area has struggled to find its voice and capitalize on its unique position. Zona Cultural currently lacks a clear identity, but is rather a loose mix of perspectives and stories told by different voices.

With significant new public and private investment happening within and around the area, the time for Zona Cultural to take steps to realize its potential is now! A recent State designation recognizing Zona Cultural as a certified Cultural District has helped galvanize support from local stakeholders and has given greater cachet to Zona Cultural.

market square

Zona Cultural’s boundaries have expanded to include areas to both the east and west of Interstate 35. Each side of the interstate has very different characteristics.

TIMELINE

1993
1999
2011
2014
Historic Civic Center Master Plan
Downtown Neighborhood Plan
Strategic Framework Plan for the City Center
30+ meetings with 300+ stakeholders leading to City of San Antonio City Council approval of the creation of Zona Cultural, Cultural District.

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Connie Garza

TACTICAL PLANNING COORDINATOR

Connie is a native San Antonian with roots planted deeply on San Antonio’s Southside. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Passionate about building strong communities, Connie loves acting as a connector to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people to help each other reach their goals and work together. She works inbetween the Cultural Placemaking team and the Mainstreet Economic Development team, bringing vibrancy and support to urban core businesses to make downtown the place to be. When not at work, you can usually find her at the local plant nursery buying another plant, exploring new cafes/breweries, and spending time with family.

Priscilla Lopez

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Priscilla or “P.Lo” as her teammates affectionately call her, has 20 years of corporate administrative experience. Priscilla attended The University of San Antonio with a focus on Business Administration. In her role as office “fixer,” she handles everything from communications and relationship management to IT sleuthing. On weekends you can find her enjoying a Truly poolside. She lives the vegan lifestyle and is  a proud member of the Peleton community.

Michael Cirlos

JEDI CAMERAMAN

Michael began his studies and volunteer work at Webster University Thailand with a focus on international relations and Buddhism. After returning to San Antonio and graduating from UTSA, Michael began photographing and telling the stories of people in Downtown San Antonio to help connect and increase awareness of our vibrant urban culture. Michael’s work has appeared in several news media organizations, and has produced digital content for small- and large-scale marketing campaigns for Red Bull, COSA Department of Arts and Culture, World Heritage Office, National Park Service, and others. Michael is a former Pecha Kucha San Antonio Speaker, best-selling author at Trinity University Press, entrepreneur, and adventurer.

JanIe Garza

OFFICE MANAGER

Janie is a native of Corpus Christi, TX and has made San Antonio her home since 2012. Her 15+ years’ experience allows her to serve a broad range of functions that allow the organization to operate efficiently, including, accounts receivable/payable, record management, information technology, office management, and assisting with human resources. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local art museums, and enjoying a German beer in Southtown.

Matt Sirgo

DIRECTOR OF STORYTELLING

Matt graduated from Texas Tech University in 2016 with a Dual Major in Media Strategies and Honors Arts & Letters with a minor in Italian (Benvenuto a tutti!). Matt oversees the marketing, public relations, and digital content for Centro. After sharing the story of Downtown San Antonio on digital channels, he enjoys creating TikToks about LGBTQ+ media. His mug graces a Fiesta Mural on the St. Mary’s Strip just north of Downtown. You can’t miss it. 

Elizabeth Burt

DIRECTOR OF URBAN ACTIVATION + PLAY

Liz is a passionate underutilized space evangelist known for collaboration matchmaking + play based troublemaking (snow, pumpkins, and Parisian mimes included). She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Public Policy studying Public Administration (#BirdsUp)! More recently, she oversaw the award winning Activate Houston Street Initiative, a placemaking action plan to reinvigorate the historic pedestrian corridor in the heart of Downtown, which is recognized as a Best Practice in Public Space Management by the International Downtown Association, for which she is also a proud Emerging Leader Fellow.

Jacqueline Lucio

DIRECTOR OF PID OPERATIONS

Jacque is a longtime downtowner with a deep passion for community service. She oversees Centro’s Clean & Safe and Homeless Outreach services, which aim to create a more beautiful, welcoming, inclusive, and hospitable downtown. For nearly two decades, Jacque has lived in downtown San Antonio and has been actively involved in the transformation of the urban core. Through her work with nonprofits, local government, and news media, she’s continually focused on championing more sustainable, diverse, and equitable communities. Jacque has led efforts to support asylum seekers, served as communications director for City Council District 5, and served in public affairs role for Clear Channel Outdoor San Antonio. Jacque studied Mass Communications and Mexican-American Studies at UTSA.

Sarah Esserlieu Khalil

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Sarah is a passionate urbanist who has spent the majority of her career on downtown revitalization efforts. Downtown is the best part of any city where you can find the finest history, culture, life, and beauty. Sarah has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of California, San DiegoSarah enjoys visiting small local businesses, enjoying foodie culture, cooking, hiking, and visiting the cities of the world. 

Andi Rodriguez

VICE PRESIDENT OF CULTURAL PLACEMAKING

Andi is a long-time urban champion and leads Centro ‘people projects which tell our stories and bring us joy, such as Centro’s Art Everywhere and Zona Cultural. Serving on the Leadership Council of Urban Land Institute, she is a former city Planning Commissioner, Founding Chair of the Hemisfair Conservancy, Co-founder of Power of Preservation/PROM, former Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and immediate past Chair of Leadership San Antonio. Andi considers herself a servant leader; she has an MS in Architecture/Urban Planning, and enjoys advocating for the unifying power of art, history, and public space.

KANDICE PERKINS

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

Kandice is a Sunnyvale, CA native and has made San Antonio her home since 2014She graduated from University of Argosy in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and continued to complete her Master’s in Business Administration from University of Phoenix 2020. She has worked in downtown San Antonio for years, bringing 15+ years of accounting experience to the organization and has been tasked with promoting and developing the city’s urban core. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, managing her family’s businesses, and enjoys cooking and baking.  

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs 

TRISH DEBERRY

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Trish– aka Captain Marvel – believes that superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. With her intellect and a passion for making a difference, there is no doubt that Trish is built for speed and performance to find solutions to problems most find too vexing to conquer.  In fact, a Lamborghini has nothing on this force of nature.

A native San Antonian with a degree from Trinity University, Trish has a deep and abiding love for the Alamo City. She has led successful campaign initiatives for 25 years that have literally changed the landscape and face of the community.

Though Trish doesn’t have the ability to see the future like Captain Marvel, she has been called a visionary and wants to bring big ideas to bear regarding the future of downtown.

Before Trish became President/CEO of Centro San Antonio, she founded two full-service marketing and communications firms that she led for 20 years – both of which were headquartered in downtown.  She was also an active member of Centro during that time serving as board chair twice and providing leadership as the entity transformed from The Downtown Alliance to Centro San Antonio. 

When Trish isn’t blazing trails throughout the urban core, she is honing her superpowers of strength and agility on a bike at a spin studio – on pace for a remarkable 1,200 rides. We told you she was built for record-setting speed!  She’s also a supermom to her two kids Scott and Maddie who provide the fuel to her sparkle and non-stop energy.