Walking to Erato post-Riverwalk renovations

Trying to decide whether to stay in a convention center hotel, or farther away. We'd like to check out the Riverwalk Mall before heading to the Erato Terminal.

Articles about the Riverwalk renovations indicate that there is now pedestrian access to both terminals. I have read the we can now take an elevator from the Riverwalk food court down to both terminals. I have also read that we cannot take an elevator down to the Erato Terminal and will be forced to walk down several sets of stairs and through a no pedestrian zone.

Does anyone have up-to-date information?

Also, is there a Riverwalk Mall entrance on Julia Street that is an easy walk from the Courtyard by Marriott on Julia Street?

The new elevator only goes to the Julia Street terminal.

Just past that elevator, on the left, there is an exterior walkway along the river that leads to a flight of stairs that end at the Erato Street terminal. Some walking is involved, but no vehicular traffic to deal with.

There is an entrance to the new Riverwalk on Julia Street. Escalators or an elevator will take you from street level into the mall, and straight across will be the doors to the exterior walkway to the Erato Street terminal.

Thank you! All the bits of info I had make sense now. It sounds manageable with one small suitcase and purse per person.