The Alamo – one of the US’s most historic landmarks – is to undergo a US$48m (€42.1m, £31.3m) renovation to turn the attraction into a prime heritage destination.

The San Antonio Missions which were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in July, were a pivotal location for the Texas Revolution in 1836. As part of the redevelopment, the State of Texas is buying up commercial buildings near the Alamo Mission, with a firm sought to develop a masterplan which will change the site’s surroundings dramatically.

The area has come under some criticism locally, with heritage advocates saying that nearby attractions shouldn’t sit in an area where nearly 200 men died defending the mission against the Mexican army. There have also been calls to focus on more than just the battle that eventually gave way to Texas gaining independence, with suggestions including the state’s role as a cultural and commercial gateway, something the masterplan will aim to address.

Attractions across from the Alamo, including Ripley’s and the Guinness World Records Museum, are subject to relocation under the new plans, with the Texas General Land Office moving to acquire the buildings housing those businesses and incorporate them into the mission’s original footprint. The plans also include the addition of a state-of-the-art museum and a visitor centre.

State lawmakers have approved US$31m (€27.2m, £20.2m) of funding to cover redevelopment of the site, while San Antonio officials have earmarked US$17m (€15m, £11m) for the plans. That figure could increase significantly however, with both state and city officials predicting private donations could raise the total for redevelopment to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The state and city will now begin the process to appoint an architect for the project, with first renderings of what the new Alamo district will look like to be ready by Q3 2016.