Galleria proposing changes in amphitheater, traffic, signs
More flexible space sought; council takes no action after team’s initial presentation.
The Hill Country Galleria management team is proposing flattening the amphitheater at the center of the mall, allowing two-way traffic on the roads surrounding City Hall, installing shade structures and more landscaping, and changing the signage at its entrances — possibly to electronic signage.
During a City Council meeting Jan. 26, Invesco Real Estate Director David Bass, Nelsen Partners architect Jeff Brand and Hill Country General Manager Jim Hopping presented their rough vision for how to improve the look and feel of the Galleria, which Invesco purchased in 2014.
“We want to consider the experience of the patron out here,” Brand said. “The way we keep customers out here is to provide a comfortable environment with meaningful and memorable places. ... The canopies here don’t have effective depth and don’t provide effective shade, nor protection from the rain.”
The team also wants to change traffic flow, allowing two-way traffic on some streets and converting to parallel parking along the sides of the plaza.
The plaza itself would look very different in their vision — the roadway between the amphitheater and the library would be removed, the amphitheater leveled and trees planted. This would make way for what management sees as a more flexible space, apt for not just listening to music but also farmers markets and other events. The team also wants to visually create more separation between “districts” — fashion, dining and entertainment, for example.
Brand said the Galleria “has an exposure problem,” and wants to change its signage.
Bass said that while they were proposing an electronic sign, they wouldn’t push it if the community really didn’t want it. “We want cooperation,” he said.
The council was overall approving of the aesthetic change, though several members questioned the proposed changes to the amphitheater.
“My first thought when I saw this was no, you can’t take out the stone levels because it’s characteristic of our mall,” said Council Member Kara King. “We don’t want to look and feel like any mall; we want to be different. Having been in the audience, it’s nice that no matter where you sit, you’ve got that elevation, so you’re looking over the people in front. Looking at it flat ... it might be hard to see, I would think, without the incline.”
Four residents said they didn’t favor the proposed electronic sign and worried about changes in traffic patterns. The council took no action because the item was meant for preliminary presentation and feedback.