SAN ANTONIO -- Some protesters believe it will be dangerous for bicyclists and runners if the owner of Alamo Beer Company gets permission from city council to build a micro brewery that includes restaurant seating on the Hays Street Bridge on the East Side near downtown.
To be clear, John Yoggerst isn’t fighting the brewery plan. He and others just don’t think that plan should include seating on an historic landmark—giving a private businessman access to a public space for profit.
"There is no way for the two to co-exist. Somebody drinking beer and having lunch, they are not looking for bicyclists or runners or walkers coming by," he insisted.
The brewery owner says his plans would cover about 11 feet of bridge space off to one side leaving room for pedestrian traffic or cyclists.
Protesters don’t believe a private business owner should not be allowed to take up any public bridge space. They are hoping council members will agree and not allow Eugene Simor to include the bridge in his brewery and restaurant plan.
"Leave the bridge alone. Stay off our bridge," said Tito Bradshaw. The East Side resident and president of the Downtown High Life Bicycle Club says the area desperately needs an economic boost. He insists the too many city plans to create public partnerships haven’t worked.
"The worst is the ATT Center. They promised so much good stuff but there's not even an Applebee's or a single hotel," said Bradshaw.
Nettie Hinton has never favored a brewery in the disadvantaged area saying it won’t bring many jobs.
Thursday Hinton and others plan to make public comments at Thursday’s city council meeting.
