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Texas Historical Commission
Abstract
Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc. (RKEI), was contracted by CPS Energy (CPSE) to conduct an intensive cultural resources survey for the installation of 14 overhead street lights, approximately 3,285 feet (1,001 meters [m]) of underground cable, and associated pull boxes within the soon-to-be constructed Research Plaza right-of-way (ROW) in southeastern San Antonio, Texas. The new city street will connect the existing ROW of Research Plaza at Boyle Road to Corpus Christi Highway and South Presa Street within the Brooks City Base community. Investigations consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing of the entire 0.43-mile (0.69-kilometer [km]) stretch of new ROW. Given that the project took place within a publicly owned ROW, and because CPSE is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, the project was subject to review under the jurisdiction of Chapter 35 of the Unified Development Code of the City of San Antonio (Article VI, Historic Preservation and Urban Design, COSA UDC), as well as the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resources Code, Title 9, Chapter 191).
On July 11, 2018, RKEI archaeologists conducted an intensive pedestrian survey augmented with shovel testing for the Research Plaza Street Light Installation Project. Rhiana D. Ward, M.A., served as Principal Investigator and all field work was conducted by Archaeologists Chris Matthews and Lindy Martinez. A total of eight shovel tests were excavated within the project corridor: three shovel tests (CM01–02 and LM01) within the southern half of the APE, and five shovel tests (CM03–04 and LM02–04) within the southern half. None of the eight shovel tests were positive for subsurface cultural materials; however, asphalt fragments were observed from 20 to 40 cmbs within shovel tests LM03–LM04. The asphalt fragments were likely associated with the former Brooks Air Force air strips that were once present within the northern portion of the APE and were not considered culturally significant due to their fragmented state.
Overall, no significant prehistoric or historic materials were encountered within the APE. Given this conclusion, no significant cultural deposits will be impacted by the proposed project, and RKEI recommends no further archaeological investigations for the current APE. However, should additions be made to the project area, it is recommended that additional testing be conducted to determine the extent and significance of cultural deposits beyond the currently defined boundaries. All field records generated by this project will be permanently curated in accordance with the University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research (UTSA-CAR).
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