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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rebekah Haynes
KGBTexas Public Relations/Advertising
(210) 826-8899
bekahh@kgbtexas.com
Public Offered Chance to Own a Piece of the San Antonio River
San Antonio River Foundation Launches 45-day Paver Project to Raise Money for SARIP
(March 17, 2008) SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio River Foundation today launched “the paver project” campaign, which provides individuals, families and businesses the opportunity to leave their personal mark on the $250+ million San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP). The engraved pavers will be laid in sidewalks along the Museum Reach section of the river, and will cost $150 or $250 each, depending on their location. Proceeds of “the paver project” sales will go towards the San Antonio River Foundation, which is raising donations for public art, parks and cultural enhancements to the SARIP – a project that will create the largest linear park in the United States. All pavers to be included in the Museum Reach must be sold before June 30.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in one of the most important projects in San Antonio history, and to literally have your contribution etched in stone” said Richard Perez, San Antonio River Foundation board member and president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “Future generations will stroll along the banks of the San Antonio River on beautiful sidewalks that forever honor the people who made this monumental project possible.”
The engraved pavers will be placed in sidewalks between Ninth Street and Roy Smith Street, near the San Antonio Museum of Art. Construction on the Museum Reach is underway, and the sidewalks will be poured this summer. Only pavers sold before June 30 will be included on the Museum Reach; however, the Mission Reach portion of the project will also include areas for pavers, which will be available soon.
As part of the fundraising campaign launched today, San Antonians will see highway billboards throughout the city and VIA busses wrapped to look like giant pavers advertising “the paver project.” Individuals who purchase pavers will receive a confirmation letter, a Certificate of Appreciation from the San Antonio River Foundation and the opportunity to purchase replica pavers for display in home or office for an additional $65.
“The goal of this remarkable project is to create a community gem for all of San Antonio,” said Edward “Sonny” Collins, III, San Antonio River Foundation board president. “The paver project is an extension of that goal – a chance for all of San Antonio to pave the way for this historic project.”
Pavers may be purchased by logging onto www.thepaverproject.com or calling 1-800-947-8364.
About the San Antonio River Foundation: The San Antonio River Foundation is raising private money to provide the San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP) with the unique cultural and aesthetic enhancements that will make it truly first rate. The River Foundation has set a goal of raising $50 million to be utilized over the course of the project. While the city, county, San Antonio River Authority and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will fund the basic infrastructure improvements to the river, the Foundation will fund the amenities such as public art, parks, bike paths, historic elements and overlooks. These privately-funded additions are what will complete this 15-mile linear park and make it a truly exceptional community gem unlike any other city park in the nation. www.sariverfoundation.org.
About the San Antonio River Improvements Project: The San Antonio River Improvements Project is an extraordinary public/private partnership that broke ground in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed in 2012. It will create a 15-mile linear park along the banks of the San Antonio River, stretching from the headwaters near Brackenridge Park all the way to historic Mission Espada on the City’s south side.
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