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H-E-B Begin Downtown Expansion With South Flores Hike & Bike Trails, Park

The neighborhood improvements along South Flores that will lead into the construction of a downtown grocery store are now underway.

The improvements begin with Commanders House Park along South Flores. It's a green space not many San Antonians have gotten to enjoy. But that's changing because of H-E-B's project to add hike and bike trails, renovate its downtown headquarters, and add a 10,000 square foot grocery store.

Friday, workers began cutting down the fence separating the Commanders House from South Flores, where hike and bike trails will be placed.

Mayor Julián Castro said the amenities and the new grocery store opening next year will attract people here.

"These public improvements are important because we want to make it easier for folks to walk around here and also to cycle around here. It's making it safer," he said.

Once all the bike and pedestrian paths are in place, a block of Main Street will close as part of the overall renovation to the area.

H-E-B's Dya Campos said the company has worked with neighbors to benefit the whole neighborhood.

"H-E-B has been here in this neighborhood for a very long time, and we behave as neighbors," Campos said. "And sometimes we disagree, but the thing that our neighbors know is that we are always going to do something and do it the right way, in a way that they will appreciate, a way that they will be proud of, and also create an amenity that they can also enjoy."

The immediate changes are better access to Commanders House Park and the hike and bike trail on South Flores between Chavez and Arsenal Street.

Ryan Loyd was Texas Public Radio's city beat and political reporter. He left the organization in December, 2014.