ITC LAWSUIT DENIED, LANDMARK “ALREADY GONE”

Dear Preservation Supporters:

On May 16th, after almost two months of trying to gain a court hearing or preliminary injunction to stop the demolition of the Texas Pavilion, the 15th Court of Appeals again denied our request for an emergency order and injunction.  We reluctantly decided to drop further attempts to gain a hearing for our suit, given the amount of demolition that has occurred on the building since we first filed suit March 26th. Click here to read our latest press release and follow the media coverage.

We are frustrated that the merits of our case – that the University of Texas at San Antonio and the City of San Antonio failed to follow proper procedures in securing the demolition under the Texas Antiquities Code and National Historic Preservation Act – have not been heard.  The formidable legal resources of UTSA and the City not only thwarted our attempts to halt the demolition, they prevented any public hearing on the preservation of the Institute of Texan Cultures Building.

A sincere "thank you" to everyone who signed, shared, and promoted this petition. Although we didn't achieve the outcome we wanted, together, we succeeded in getting the building designated as a State Antiquities Landmark and visibly demonstrated significant public interest in preserving it. 

Your signatures and comments will be archived. It's our hope they will have a positive impact as we tell this story going forward and work to insure that a similar travesty doesn't happen again.  It's clear the current laws governing the demolition of designated Texas landmarks need to change.  

Interested in continuing to work with us as we seek to conserve the architectural, natural and cultural heritage of San Antonio? Please consider joining us by becoming a member. 

This petition will close today, Monday, May 19, 2025.