I was walking to my car last Friday from work at UTB when I noticed something different about downtown. high above many of the short structures was a crane hovering above the El Jardin Hotel. I mused to myself, what's that crane doing there? Could it be possible that the old hotel is being repaired? There was only one way to find out. Go there.
So, I set out the eight minute walk to the hotel from my car. When I got there, lord and behold, there definately was a crane with a few people in a basket hovering next to the hotel. What were they doing, I asked myself. After a few moment of studying the situation, I realized that the people on that basket were tearing down the top roof molding along the side of the hotel. Why? I continued studying the moment watching as the workers carefully removed the molding from the hotel while aslo removing some of the ornate structures that once jut out of the building like little spears.
After a few minutes thinking about the hotel, I decided to go and talk to Mr. Goodman, Director of the Downtown District, located in the Old Market Square. I opened the door and found Mr. Goodman at his desk and asked him about the situation with the hotel. He said that a large chunk had fallen to the street from the roof and that it was determined that the best course of action was to remove the top molding to prevent any further deteriation and falling pieces. Although no one was hurt, these pieces tend to shatter upon impact. So then I asked, is the owner going to renovate it or at least stabilize the facade? With great dissapointment, he said no. That's it. No.
So, there I was thinking about the hotel and how much I loved that building and having to watch it slowly but surely, fall apart piece by piece and not knowing what to do. My heart broke knowing that there was nothing I could do but curse the owner of the hotel and wondered why he never sold it, even at a loss. How could such a magnificent building that once was the first "skyscraper of the Rio Grande Valley and an icon and symbol of Brownsville's growth during the 1920s to 30s come to a sudden halt. Now, it lays empty and in great disrepair waiting to die. Just like someone were to buy a pet and then leave it tied up and forgotten. That's what's called Demolition By Neglect!! in architect terms. The building was just left there to fend for itself.
What could I do? I asked myself again. What could a little person with no money or politiacal power like me do to rescue the once magnificent building? And at once an idea popped into my head. I called Ambrosio Villarreal (Co founder of the Preservation Brownsville, of which I am the current President) and told him about the situation. He said to talk to a Brownsville Herald reporter that he knows and tell this person about the stait of the hotel. Ah ha. That's it. Sure it doesn't mean that a reporter would somehow rescue the building but more importantly, it's the power of knowledge. Have the reporter do an article about the dire situation about the hotel and maybe, then maybe, the owner will listen. And that's what I did. I got the e-mail of the reporter and the following week, I e-mailed the reporter with what I saw that Friday afternoon and what could be done to force the owner to do something about it. The reporter e-mailed me back thanking me for the e-mail and that they would look into it.
So, there it is. The fate of the El Jardin Hotel lies in the hands of those who care enough to push the system to do something. Now, I all I can do is sit and wait to see what happens. Meanwhile, the hotel sits there falling into dispair with no hope in site. What fate does the stars have for this once beautiful and majestic building? Only time will tell.
TonyL
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