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Daniela Cata\u00f1o, right, cracks a cascar\u00f3n on Monica Duck\u2019s head during the opening night of A Night In Old San Antonio\u00a0at La Villita on April 23, 2024 in San Antonio. The Conservation Society of San Antonio decided this week to cancel its license agreement with the city to host NIOSA at the historic village downtown.<\/p>\n
Salgu Wissmath\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
The Conservation Society of San Antonio canceled its contract with the city to rent La Villita for A Night in Old San Antonio, casting even more doubt over the future of the popular Fiesta event<\/a>.<\/p>\n The nonprofit runs NIOSA but announced Sept. 16 that it would suspend the event\u00a0in 2027 because of financial difficulties.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Conservation Society asked the city this week to end its license agreement to use the historic arts village downtown for the four-day celebration.<\/p>\n The City Council approved the contract in March.\u00a0Under the terms of the deal, the city was to lease La\u00a0Villita to the Conservation Society for NIOSA for 10 years, with the option to extend the agreement by another 10 years. The nonprofit would pay a rental fee starting at $195,000 and increasing annually, spending a total of $2.1 million through 2035.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Conservation Society fully supports the city\u2019s efforts to revitalize and redevelop this historic property, so it can be enjoyed by all,\u201d Betty Buech\u00e9, the organization’s president, said in a statement. \u201cWe support efforts by historic property owners who improve their properties and keep them relevant, useful and accessible because it helps preserve them.\u201d<\/p>\n Dive deeper: NIOSA is canceled. Now a fight is raging over why.<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In a letter Wednesday to\u00a0Buech\u00e9, obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio\u00a0chief downtown officer Shanon Shea Miller said the city would waive a requirement to provide nine months written notice of the agreement\u2019s cancellation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe city is open to discussing the future plans and needs of NIOSA when you feel the time is appropriate,\u201d Miller wrote.<\/p>\n The Conservation Society\u2019s decision to scrap the deal is a blow to NIOSA volunteers and attendees who are worried that giving up La Villita spells an end for NIOSA. They’re concerned\u00a0other organizations will take over the space. The celebration has been held at the downtown village since 1948 and is one of Fiesta\u2019s largest events.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n