SAN ANTONIO — One of the big stories we’re following are the additional costs, should the city move forward with Project Marvel downtown. The estimated cost has doubled for a critical piece of the Project Marvel plan.
The SAWS chilled water plant located across the street from the convention center provides chilled water to air condition buildings downtown. As part of the plan for Project Marvel, it has to be relocated to make room for a new, one-thousand-room hotel.
RELATED: Cost estimate doubles to relocate SAWS chiller plant as part of Project Marvel
The original estimate to relocate was $100 million, but after hiring a consultant to investigate the cost of moving the chiller plant, SAWS has now determined it will take at least $200 million. The uncertainty over cost is one reason critics of Project Marvel say the city and county are moving too fast.
Since the late 1960’s the plant has sent chilled water through underground pipes to downtown buildings like the convention center and the Alamodome to keep them cool. The recycled water is then piped back to the plant to be used again.
SAWS plans to relocate the plant somewhere just north of its current location because new pipes will have to be buried to deliver the water.
The News 4 i-team’s Jaie Avila is getting answers to questions you the viewer want us to ask. SAWS says the $200 million remains an estimate, at least until the consultant study comes back late next month with its report.
We are working to get answers on this still developing story including….How the relocation will be paid for?
We can tell you SAWS is pushing for a combination of funding sources, including a tax increment re-investment zone where a portion of property tax from a specific zone downtown could be used. Or a bond, like the one the city wants to pay for downtown infrastructure, that would be paid off by our property taxes.
We’ll continue to work to get answers on this story and others.