Years of work, study are ahead at Alamo for overhaul

The San Antonio Express-News (http://bit.ly/29ia5nE ) reports that George Skarmeas, design director with Preservation Design Partnership of Philadelphia, said a careful examination of the Alamo area, through documentation and archaeological work, will guide a project that could have construction starting in 2021 and a "soft opening" in 2024.

A team of experts will begin a "systematic archaeological study" of the area next week to pinpoint the location of exterior portions of the 1836 battle compound where nearly 200 people died during a 13-day siege by Mexican troops.

[...] in that complication lies all kinds of opportunities, said Gene Powell, a board member of the nonprofit Alamo Endowment, which is working with the city and Texas General Land Office to develop the master plan, set for completion and adoption in about a year.