July 7, 2023

Forrest Street to close at De Leon Plaza as expansion project begins

PHOTO #1: Forrest Street between Bridge Street and Main Street will be converted into an expanded pedestrian and performance area as part of the De Leon Plaza Expansion Project. The water feature shown in this conceptual rendering is not within the project scope approved by the City Council but could be added later.
PHOTO #2: This map shows the area of Forrest Street that will close.
Forrest Street will close between Bridge Street and Main Street beginning about 6 p.m. July 10 so that the De Leon Plaza Expansion Project can begin.
The project will convert this block of Forrest Street into an expanded pedestrian and performance area with a pavilion, shaded seating, a public restroom and space for food trucks. The City is also considering adding a water feature with the help of grant funding from the Marsha Shanklin Foundation.
The project will also improve sidewalks; drainage; and the area in front of the Six Flags monument, where a new statue of Victoria’s founding couple, Martín de León and Patricia de la Garza, will be located.
The design changes are concentrated on Forrest Street and the side of the plaza that touches it. The rest of the plaza, including the gazebo and the oak trees, will be preserved in the final design.
The project will finish in March 2024.
During construction, Bridge Street and Main Street will sometimes close near the plaza for a few days at a time. The streets will not close at the same time. The City will notify residents and businesses of these closures before they occur.
The Victoria Main Street Program is pursuing joint-use parking agreements with nearby property owners to increase the number of parking spaces available to the public.
To learn more about the project, visit www.victoriatx.gov/plaza.