Archaeological Investigations for VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Bus Charging Station, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

From October to December 2022, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), in response to a request from VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority (VIA-MTA) conducted archaeological monitoring for proposed development at 1720 N. Flores Street in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Monitored activities included trenching for electrical conduit and boreholes for canopy piers/supports. As the project area is located on VIA-MTA property, the project requires compliance with the Texas Antiquities Code and review under the Unified Development Code of the City of San Antonio (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634). The project was conducted under Antiquities Permit No. 30822. David Yelacic, CAR Director, served as the Principal Investigator, and Sarah Wigley served as the Project Archaeologist. The project area, spanning 2.7 acres (1.1 ha), is located immediately east of San Pedro Creek, within the current VIA bus parking lot at the VIA Metro Center. The primary concern was the known presence of the San Pedro Acequia (41BX337) within the project area (Cox 1986), as well as the project area’s proximity to San Pedro Springs Park (41BX19; Mauldin et al. 2015). Sparse historic materials were recovered during the course of archaeological monitoring. No cultural features were recorded and no evidence of the San Pedro Acequia was encountered. However, based on the sensitivity of the area, the CAR recommends monitoring of any future ground-disturbing activities that have impacts below the pavement within the project area. All artifacts collected and records generated during the course of this project are curated in accordance with THC guidelines at the CAR under accession 2714.