Downtown Ballpark Plan Advances as Airport Robo-Rides Launch and Loop 1604 Closures Begin

Downtown stadium proposal moves forward

City officials are getting their first detailed look at plans for a new Minor League Baseball stadium downtown. Developers unveiled updated designs this week for the proposed ballpark near San Pedro Creek Culture Park, part of a broader mixed-use project that would include two high-rise apartment buildings and an adjacent hotel.

The residential towers would add hundreds of units to the urban core, along with ground-floor retail. The stadium itself is estimated to cost about $160 million and is expected to seat roughly 4,500 fans, with room for larger crowds during special events. The project is positioned as a catalyst for economic development, though it has also drawn concern over the loss of existing affordable housing on the site.

Autonomous rides expand at SAT

At San Antonio International Airport, autonomous vehicle service is now operating 24/7. Waymo announced this week that riders can book driverless trips to and from the airport at any hour, marking a significant shift in local transportation options.

The move adds San Antonio to a short list of cities with around-the-clock autonomous airport service. City and airport leaders see the expansion as part of a broader push to modernize mobility infrastructure while managing growing passenger demand.

Major Loop 1604 closures underway

Drivers on the North Side are being urged to plan ahead as TxDOT begins a long-term closure tied to the Loop 1604 North Expansion Project. The eastbound-to-westbound U-turn at the I-10 interchange closed March 30 and is expected to remain shut for at least two weeks.

The work is part of a multiyear effort to ease congestion along one of the region’s fastest-growing corridors. Officials say the temporary inconvenience is necessary to support long-term capacity improvements.

Debate over public safety funding

Meanwhile, members of City Council are pushing back on a proposal from Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones that would ask the Spurs organization to help fund additional police staffing tied to games and events. Several council members signaled concern about shifting public safety costs onto a private entity without broader discussion.

The debate comes as the city continues balancing economic development ambitions with budget pressures and public safety needs.

Sources

https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/31/san-antonio-missions-new-baseball-stadium-designs
https://theagenttimes.com/articles/waymo-opens-san-antonio-airport-service-marking-its-fourth-2-17e1deb9
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/traffic/article/loop-1604-closure-22155452.php
https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-news/members-of-san-antonio-council-scoff-at-mayors-proposal-to-ask-spurs-to-pay-for-more-cops/