Andres Andujar, the CEO of the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp., is stepping down.
Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp.
Andres Andujar is retiring from his role as CEO of the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. after spearheading the transformation of the 1968 World’s Fair site from a chunk of underutilized land in the heart of downtown to a mix of parks, restaurants, apartments and, soon, hotel rooms.
His exit comes as the future of Hemisfair could be further reshaped by the proposed development of a sports and entertainment district that would utilize parts of the historic property. It includes replacing the Institute of Texan Cultures with a new Spurs arena, expanding the Convention Center, overhauling the Alamodome, building another Convention Center hotel and converting the former John H. Wood Jr. Federal Courthouse into an event venue.
“It’s a moment of pride and satisfaction and also excitement for what’s to come,” Andujar said.
Article continues below this ad
He took the helm of the redevelopment organization in 2011, two years after the City Council created it to oversee the reuse of the World’s Fair property.
Yanaguana Garden, a park with play equipment and a splash pad, and The ‘68 apartment complex have been built since then. Historic houses have been renovated and filled with local businesses. The first phase of Civic Park — with a water feature, expansive lawn and promenade — opened in 2023 and the second phase is expected to finished soon. Thousands of people have attended events at Hemisfair.
Another project, a mixed-use development around Civic Park, has been scaled down and delayed. Construction of one component is well underway, though: the Monarch San Antonio, a hotel being constructed by Zachry Hospitality. Trube Corp. and Post Lake Capital Partners plan to build apartments, retail space and parking next door. Area Real Estate scrapped a plan last year to build apartments and retail space on the other side of the hotel.
The redevelopment has led to a a swell of projects unfolding outside the boundaries of Hemisfair. They include the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, developer Weston Urban’s 300 Main and Continental block residential complexes, a ballpark for the Missions baseball team and the University of Texas at San Antonio’s expansion of its downtown campus.
Article continues below this ad
More apartments, office space and restaurants have risen along Broadway and in the blocks between downtown and Pearl, an area that’s come to be known as River North — a name Andujar coined. Aside from his work at Hemisfair, he has pushed for development of River North.
“There is interest and investment in the area in a way that hadn’t happened since the fair,” Andujar said.
His retirement will take effect April 1. Melissa Robinson, a longtime Hemisfair employee, will serve as interim CEO and a nationwide search for a permanent CEO will start in May, the redevelopment organization said. Selection of a replacements is expected next year.
Andujar said he recently turned 67 and has been contemplating his next steps and “things like Medicare.” Planning the pieces of the sports and entertainment district, which city officials code-named Project Marvel, and determining how to pay for it will take time to figure out and require “different kinds of people,” Andujar said.
Article continues below this ad
RELATED: New Civic Park is part of a plan to transform Hemisfair into ‘one of the world’s great parks’
He said he’s proud of the ways the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. solicited input from residents on a master plan for the property, which was adopted in 2012, and how the area has become a vibrant gathering place for residents and tourists. He recalled a marriage proposal the organization’s employees helped with, and running into a man who painted a pergola at Hemisfair while talking to people roaming the area.
Andujar said he wants to see more housing built downtown — ideally 40,000 or 50,000 more units.
“The day we get to 50,000 units downtown is the day I’m going to say, ‘Okay, this feels like our place,’ ” he said.
