Brownsville Talk

TSC: A Fresh Start

2011-06-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

Now that the divorce is final and signed by Gov. Rick Perry, it is time for TSC to move out and start fresh.
ITEC
The ITEC building was purchased in early 2000, which used to be the Amigoland Mall, and now houses technical classes, the Mexican Consulate and upstart companies that also hires students. The building was recently renovated to match the design of the UTB/TSC campus and has about 600,000sf of usable space. It also is located in the Banco District that includes all land south of the railroad tracks.
The Divorce
Now that UTB has legally separated from TSC, the question now becomes which buildings belong to UTB and TSC. Once this has been sorted out, it will appear somewhat ridiculous that college students will be using some buildings in the campus while UTB students use other buildings making it confusing and comical. Also, will the maintenance and security departments belong to TSC or UTB? How about parking, the REK center, library and so on? Ultimately, UTB will need the full use of the campus while TSC will need to move out. UTB has already purchased the La Estancia apartments and the Village at Fort Brown is in major need of repairs; $14M as of this year. The La Estancia apartments are located just hop away from the campus. TSC may not have the money to fix the Village at Fort Brown and will eventually be forced to fix it or demolish it.
Fresh Start
Enter the ITEC and the surrounding land. If you look at the satellite image above of the ITEC center, you will notice the amount of empty space available for building. TSC would do best by selling any building it owns to UTB and allow UTB to take over the bond on the newer buildings so that UTB may continue to grow its campus. Once the money has been received, the new TSC campus will be able to grow to the south of the ITEC. There are hundreds of acres to the south, east and west of the ITEC that can be used for future development. Downtown will also be accessible across the existing railroad tracks, soon to be taken down with the construction of the new rail bridge to the west of Brownsville. One day, the West Parkway Loop (West Loop) will replace the railroad tracks that will provide a direct access to a major highway and also HW 77/83. The Resaca that sits behind the ITEC can be cleared and a hike and bike trail or boardwalk added for entertainment for the students that could one day live on this campus. There is also another Resaca that is located to the south of ITEC as seen in the image that can also be developed. This scenario is not as farfetched as the ITEC is already situated in a solitary land that may be far cheaper than land closer to the expressway. If TSC is to succeed, it will need its own place to call home and the Banco District is the perfect place for TSC to start fresh.

A Soaring Eyesore

2011-06-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

Now that the elections are over and with many candidates promising to help the downtown prosper is an ordinance that has not been properly addressed:

Sec. 348-1675. - Prevention of demolition by neglect.

(a) Applicability. The exterior features of any buildings, objects, sites, and structures (including but not limited to walls, fences, light fixtures, steps, pavement, paths or any other appurtenant feature), or any type of outdoor advertising sign located in the O11 Historic Overlay District shall be preserved against decay and deterioration and kept free from certain structural defects by the owner thereof or such other person or persons who may have legal custody and control, shall upon written request by the heritage officer repair such exterior features if they are found to be deteriorating, or if their condition is contributing to deterioration, including but not limited to any of the following defects:

(1) Deteriorated or inadequate foundation: Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports or flooring or floor supports or joists of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety;

(2) Members of walls: Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that split, lean, list or buckle due to defective material or deterioration. Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety;

(3) Members of ceilings/roofs: Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members which sag, split, or buckle due to defective materials or deterioration. Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety;

(4) Fireplaces/chimneys: Fireplaces or chimneys which lean, list, bulge or settle due to defective material or deterioration. Fireplaces or chimneys which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety;

(5) Weather protection: Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, foundations or floors, including broken windows or doors. Defective protection or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint, or weathering due to lack of paint or other protective covering. Any fault or defect in the building which renders same structurally unsafe or not properly watertight.

(6) Compliance with housing codes: In addition, the owner or other person having legal custody and control of an historic landmark or a building, object, site, or structure located in an historic district shall keep all property, including vacant property, clear of all weeds, fallen trees or limbs, debris, abandoned vehicles, and all other refuse as specified under the city's minimum housing codes and ordinances.

The rest of the ordinance may be viewed at:

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=10297&stateID=43&statename=Texas

What has concerned me for the past ten years is the condition of the El Jardin Hotel. Since the inception of the ordinance, I have raised concern to our commission and the Director of the Downtown District that the owner of this building has been noncompliant with the ordinance but have fallen on deaf ears. The windows are broken and left uncovered and therefore, water, birds, wind, etc enters the building causing further deterioration. If the new commission is serious about helping downtown, begin by enforcing the existing city ordinance so that the owners of historic buildings are more willing to sell or fix their treasures.

2010-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Imagine Brownsville Website: Proposed Banco District Project

With the temporary border fence now in place and hopes of creating a binational riverwalk dashed for the foreseeable future, it appears that DHS has won and dowtown will continue to suffer neglect and the Brownsville Crossings project off the market (as per Loopnet). But there maybe a sliver of hope if implementing a "riverwalk" carefully.

The Banco District, located in the area what was once the Amigoland mall (now ITECC owned by UTB/TSC), maybe that sliver of hope. Currently there are two medium sized resacas in this district. One that is behind the ITECC and the other next to the border fence. By connecting the two resacas together into one very large river-looking resaca, the first "riverwalk" can be formed. In order to connect the two resacas, a channel will need to be built to bridge the two and an overpass created on Mexico Blvd. Something very similar as to the drawing above. No need to bother DHS with removing the fence (until sometime in the future when the conditions are right).

All the right conditions exist to make such a project happen. UTB/TSC can be a magnet to the area, the district is very large and mostly undeveloped, access to the Expressway via Palm Blvd, and Sam Pearl Blvd (though the West Parkway project would be the ideal highway connector), and proximity to the downtown district via 6th/7th street (an overpass or connection still remains an issue until the West Railroad Bridge is built and removal of the currect track is complete).

Once the resacas are formed into one continuous loop, then a boardwalk can be created along with restaurants, condos, hotels, etc creating a nice entertainment district while the city negotiates or comes up with money for the removal of the temporary fence than can then lead to the development of the Rio Grande binational riverwalk. The Banco District can be that kickoff that can spur developement and be a catalyst to the binational riverwalk.

It is unfortunate that the developer(s) that were suppose to develope the Banco District as proposed in the Imagine Brownsville master plan flew the coup due to the border fence but if the Banco District were to be marketed without the Rio Grande riverwalk and use the existing resacas instead, it is possible to attract other developers to the district.

Until such an idea or one similar to it is created, the fate of the Banco District will remain in its current state.

BND Paradise

2010-07-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

Picture from BND website.

What happens when you mix hotels, restaurants, condos, hotels, pools, an entertainment district and a 17 mile long channel? BND paradise! The port of Brownsville has an opportunity to not only service commercial cargo ships but provide a getaway paradise along its long channel lined with condos and hotels.

What an opportunity Brownsville has with a ship channel that can provide a fantastic view of the channel and the island with easy access to Brownsville, Port Isabel and South Padre Island. With the new HW 550 being built that will make the existing FM 511 into an interstate ready highway that will connect the BND with the Highway 77/83 and then in the near future connect the BND with the airport, this would provide the perfect opportuniy to line the ship channel with mid and high rise condos and hotels. South Padre Island would only be a mere 15 minutes travel as well to the airport and the Sunrise mall.

A portion of the ship channel can be zoned for construction of condos and residences along with restaurants and hotels and a boardwalk that could rival the binational riverwalk along the Rio Grande. Until the city can find money to remove the existing temporary border fence and build the riverwalk the city and BND can join forces and begin talks on creating a boardwalk and an entertainment district along the channel. The entertainment district can be located right next to docks where cruise ships such as Carnival would arrive providing entertainment for those visitors to our area.

At this time, such a venture would not be possible without utilities and road infrastructer in place. A lot of money would be needed to upgrade parts of the ship channel to make this a viable project and both the BND and the city would have to join forces and even add this to the Imagine Brownsville master plan. Then developers would need to be convinced that this project is worth their investment. But I believe that such a project is viable and finally place Brownsville square on the map as a true tourist destination.

With the curent violence in Mexico along our border, and the weir project still a dream, a binational riverwalk could be years off. With this project, there would be no worries of violence spilling onto the port, no weir to wait for before developers are willing to invest, no other country to deal with to convince them to build their side of the river, and no issues with DHS and their fence removal.

The channel already exists that can easily bring in cruise ships, build smaller channels can be built alongside the main channel to provide beaches to swim in and bring more developments, provide fantastic views of the channel and ships going to the main part of the port, and both sides of the channel can be upgraded to provide a boardwalk and major developments. The economic boom would help Brownsville's budget and the BND's, put Brownsville on the tourist map, lure a cruise ship to the BND, and maybe be a precursor to the binational riverwalk that would also add more attraction to our city. Now, where do I sign up for a new condo with a ship channel view?!

More Sidewalks Needed

2010-06-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last year I owned a shuttle company in town ferrying clients from airports, hotels, etc. Many of my clinets would complain about the lack of sidewalks along the Frontage roads (access roads). Just getting to a restaurant or convenience store took courage to brave the traffic alongside you. Last week, I witnessed to gentlemen in their suits walking along the grass on Frontage Rd to some unknown destination. I finally decided to write about this situation.

When the Expressway 77/83 Frontage roads and FM 802 were widened, I really thought (stupid of me) that, FINALLY, sidewalks would be installed. I had grown tired of watching people walking on the uneven grass or even worse, on the road, to get to some destiation. THen, to my dissappiontment, no sidewalks were built!? Why? If Brownsville wants to change its image, it begins with simple things like being able to get around town without a car. A sidewalk may not be the greatest image of a city but, man, when you need one, you really appreciate it a lot.

I thought that TxDot and the city of Brownsville was becoming more proactive in building sidewalks. After the construction of the Linear Park and hike/bike trail along the old RR lines, I was sure that more sidewalks would be built. Ha, what a joke. Com'on Brownsville and TxDot, you can do better.

Here is a list of some roads that I think need sidewalks, though I'm sure that every street in Brownsville needs one but for sure these (if you can think of any other streets in dire need of sidewalks, please comment on it):

1. Frontage Rds (all within city limits!)

2. FM 802

3. Pablo Kisel

4. Jose Marti (BCC)

5. Boca Chica Blvd

6. Sam Pearl Blvd between Levee St and the B&M Int'l Bridge (ASAP!!!), Comm. Camarillo, I did bring this up to you several times!

7. Central Blvd

8. Sports Park entrance road

9. Old HW 77

10. Price Rd.

To name of few.

West Parkway Needed

2010-06-17T16:59:00.001-07:00

Well, It's been a while since I've written but here I go again. This time I will talk about a hot issue concerning the proposed West Loop a.k.a West Parkway. I feel that I am in the monority but that's OK cuz I see things differently than most and think about long term when it comes to economic development.

West Parkway, as envisioned by the CCRMA, will connect the B&M Int'l Bridge via the soon-to-be abandoned RR line to the Expressway 77/83 (maybe someday I-69) just north of the 77 Flea Market. See the CCRMA Neighborhood Meeting 2009 for more on the West Parkway proposed project.

Why do I support it when most are against it, you ask? Well, economics and mobility. The west side of Brownsville is stagnant, economically. I live on this side of town and simply don't see much growth happening here. Commissioner Troiani once told me that he did not support the West Parkway because many residents were against it and mentioned that it would be better to develop HW 281 into a limited access highway. But the reality is that the cost of expanding HW 281 and developing it into an expressway will be far more costly on just purchasing the ROWs and far more residents would be against such a plan. Many years and public meetings will have passed before any such project could get underway while the price tag increases.

That is why Brownsville and Cameron County has the next best option and that is to use the existing railroad and turn it into a highway. Very little ROW is reqiured, thus bringing down the cost and the rail already connect directly to Matamoros, which is also working on building a new highway that connects to Monterrey. This new connection between Matamoros and north Expressway 77/83 will create new economic opportunities to the west side of Brownsville.

Not only will the west side have a positive gain but also downtown Brownsville. One of the major flaws of the downtown is simply having access to a highway such as the expressway. Just to travel from the expressway to the core business district of downtown requires at about 10 blocks. People who want to gain acces to the downtown area have no choice but to go either from the expressway or Palm Blvd. Both of which require extensive driving. Having a more direct acces to downtown will help bring people closer and invest in the area once a connection to the northern section of the city is achieved.

If there is ever to be a binational river walk on the Rio Grande river as envisioned by Imaginge Brownsville masterplan, then this vital vehiculare arterial link is necessary to help locals and tourists reach this new entertainment district. Imagine,no pun intended, the traffic jam piling up on six/seventh street and University Blvd to get to the river walk. This reminds me of when traffic would back up to the expressway in the '80s and '90s to get the the Gateway and B&M Int'l bridges. Not a good scenario. West Parkway would cut down on this nightmare of a situation.

UTB/TSC would definatley benefit with a direct access to the ITEC center. As more students and companies call ITEC home and campus, then the traffic will build up on Palm Blvd and cause major headaches for all.

There is simply too many benefits to the West Parkway than there are negative to list here. Those who oppose the project do not see far enough into the future. West Parkway is needed and its benefits will soon outweigh the negative. Just as the current expressway changed the image and demographics of Brownsville in a way that it could not have been envisioned fifty years ago, the same will be with the West Parkway project.

If the project fades into obscurity, so will half of our city. Therefore, I support the West Parkway project.

Looping Brownsville

2008-10-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Brownsville is about to see a new decade filled with ever expanding retail, hotels, restaurants, medical facilities such as expanding hospitals and clinics, international trade, growing port and air port, schools, explosive growth of UTB/TSC and the ever so elusive renaming of HW 77/83 to I-69. But most of these growths and expansions will not happen without a complete, or at the very least partially complete loop around Brownsville to help keep traffic moving and developing land that at this time remains empty. The loops that will help launch Brownsville into the stratosphere are called the West Loop and East Loop.

These two loops have already come before the public prior to construction. Both have been proposed as tolled, limited access highways such as the Expressway 77/83. Though I, for one, have opposed the tolled part of the projects at public meetings and in writing to CCRMA (Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority), who is responsible for the two loop projects, there is no doubt that these loops are needed in order for Brownsville to grow in a positive manner. Just look at the economic benefits that the HW 77/83 has provided for Brownsville. There is no question that without the expressway, as it is commonly referred to, has had an irreversible positive effect on the city of Brownsville. Without the expressway, there would not have been a Sunrise Mall or all of its numerous shopping centers, The Valley Regional Medical Center and the Doctor’s Hospital would not have been built, all the hotels along the expressway would be vacant lots, and absolutely everything that is there now would more than likely not have been there. Where would Brownsville be without the expressway? It would be a little town that had no major connection to the rest of the valley much less connected to the rest of the state and nation. The old Highway 77 was a pothole filled, two-lane highway that would never have been able to handle the traffic that exists today. Even the expressway had to be recently expanded to three lanes just to accommodate the traffic we have today and will likely have to be expanded again in the next 20 years (it took forty years before it was expanded due to the explosive growth here) if current projects shows Brownsville at over 350,000+ by 2030. Let’s look now at each of the loops being considered for construction in the near future and what they will do for the area that it will be built on.

East Loop

As currently envisioned, East Loop will stretch from the intersection of International Blvd and Elizabeth St. to the expressway (this segment has been built but as a four-lane boulevard named University Blvd) from the expressway to the airport via the outer most part of Southmost along the levee of the Rio Grande River and loop into the airport, from the airport to the Port of Brownsville and from the port to back to the expressway north of Brownsville along the existing FM 511 (this portion is under construction as the frontage roads are being built until the highway funding can be found).

What does this new loop mean for Brownsville? Everything. Trucks would have faster routes around the city and easy access to the airport, the Port of Brownsville, the Veteran’s Int’l Bridge and UTB/TSC and the Gateway Int’l Bridge. It would be, in effect, a semi-loop on the east side of Brownsville from the intersection of FM 511 and the Expressway 77/83 to the Veteran’s International Bridge on the south side of the city. Trucks and large rigs would be able to use this portion of the highway and reduce burden on the expressway within the center part of the city. This means safer travel for everyone else using the expressway. Just think how easy it would be to get to the airport without leaving the expressway? This is one of the many benefits of East Loop. Also, this new connection would help Southmost as a new highway that winds around this area would bring new businesses that would otherwise overlook due to poor access to this side of the community. Land around the port and FM 511 to the expressway would also enjoy new construction of residential and businesses.

West Loop

This is another project that the City of Brownsville and Cameron County have been dreaming about since the announcement of the removal of the rail line that starts at the B&M Int’l Bridge and goes to north Brownsville. A new international rail bridge will be built in the near future (5 to 15 years from now) and the tracks that will be left behind will revert to the city of Brownsville. The city will have 100 feet of right-away on each side of the track and the length of the loop will be about eight miles long.

This loop, as I envision, will help downtown Brownsville due to its proximity. The downtown business center would only be a few blocks away rather than about ten blocks from the current expressway. For a downtown to survive, it needs immediate access to a major highway. Otherwise, most people will avoid going to downtown if access is not immediate. In today’s world, people want to get to place ASAP and not deal with the hassle of driving long distances.
Also, since the West Loop will connect with the B&M Int’l Bridge, Brownsville will have two direct accesses to two international bridges. The West Loop will travel parallel to the existing highway and will provide needed relief on the current expressway. A whole new avenue of opportunity waits with the construction of West Loop and its exciting future for downtown.
Another reason for the construction of the West Loop is the attraction for developers in building the greatest project to come to downtown ever. This is the proposed project called Brownsville Crossings. This project envisions a shopping center nearly the size of the Sunrise Mall and includes a river walk between the Gateway Int’l Bridge and the B&M Int’l Bridge. Along the river walk will be retail and restaurants similar to the San Antonio River Walk. Of course, all this is pending not just on the West Loop but also on DHS’s planned border wall. If an agreement can be reached between the city, the developers, and DHS on the planned river walk and the border wall, then bringing the West Loop in would also have a positive spin being that the proposed shopping center would be a mere ¾ mile from West Loop via 12th Street (Sam Pearl Blvd). With a direct access to a major highway, this project would be a hit for tourists and locals alike.

The Future of Brownsville

Brownsville is in a midst of an ever growing population and size and it only stands to reason that with added growth come added strains and stresses of everyday life such as driving from one side of the city to the other. The more congested our streets get, the more difficult and longer it takes to get from point A to point B. Not only will it take longer to travel within Brownsville but pollution will also be a major concern in the near future. With more cars on our streets idling at traffic lights, the more probable that Brownsville will begin to see smog forming over our city and blanketing the sky for long periods of time.

Currently, the expressway is the only means of traveling in the city unencumbered and with the recent expansion of the expressway to three lanes, it will only take twenty years before the highway will have to add a fourth lane just to keep up with congested and keep the highway from coming to a halt on peak hours. Then, it would only take ten more years to have to add a fifth lane and so on. If Brownsville doesn’t any other means by which traffic can move unimpeded, then Brownsville will hit a wall and growth will slow down and congestion will be a daily complaint. What’s needed is a way to keep Brownsville moving not just today but tomorrow as well. Our city has one of the youngest populations in the nation and each and every one of these people will need cars as our city grows. How will the population of the future deal with congestion? By adding a loop around Brownsville and connecting different areas of our city that today is not easily done.

Looping Brownsville is the answer to our city’s growth and its ability to continue growing without screeching to a halt. Both the West Loop and East Loop proposes to do this and our future depend on it. Forty years from now, we will see the fruits of this labor, which could take decades to fully complete, and wonder how Brownsville could have survived without this loop. Just think about that when you are travelling on Highway 77/83 next time.

Boundary Adjustment Feasibility Study for Fort Texas

2008-10-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

Boundary Adjustment Feasibility Study for the Original Fort Brown Earthworks

PRESENTED TO: University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

SUBMITTED BY: Mary Kralovec, Superintendent Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

I. INTRODUCTION

Background:

In June, 2008, a Fort Brown Preservation working group was established to identify the feasibility of adjusting the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site administrative boundary to include the Original Fort Brown Earthworks. Representatives from the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College (UTB-TSC), Brownsville Historic Association, Cameron County Historical Commission, City of Brownsville, Historic Brownsville Museum, Palo Alto National Park Committee, and Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic (PAAL) site were represented in the working group.

At a July 2008 work group meeting, the PAAL Superintendent was asked to provide a geographic boundary for the Original Fort Brown Earthworks. A National Park Service project team; consisting of the park superintendent, historian, and archeologist; developed a map with the recommended preservation boundaries. The proposed boundary included the standing ruins of the earthworks, as well as the entire foot print of the structure where there is still a potential to have intact subsurface features associated with the fortification. This information was shared with the Fort Brown Preservation working group in August, 2008.

As a follow up to the recommended boundary adjustment, the PAAL Superintendent was asked in early September 2008 to provide a feasibility analysis of the boundary adjustment proposal. This report reflects an analysis of alternatives associated with changing the PAAL administrative boundary to include the Original Fort Brown Earthworks.

II. HISTORY

Fort Brown-Earthen Fort:

General Zachary Taylor ordered construction of the original Fort Brown (often referred to as Fort Texas) in March 1846. He desired a substantial system of earthworks to provide protection for his “Army of Occupation” which had been sent to claim the Rio Grande as the southern boundary of the United States. He requested that the post be large enough to harbor at least one of the three brigades of his 4000-man army, in the likely event that it came under fire from Mexican troops that opposed his advance.

Responsibility for design and construction of the post fell upon engineer Captain J. F. K. Mansfield. Mansfield mapped out an ambitious six-sided earthwork, with bastions at each corner. The star-shaped structure had sloped walls 9 feet high, with additional parapets at the top which raised the profile to 15-feet in height. The length of the walls ranged from 120-150 feet. Additional shelters and bomb-proofs were constructed in the interior of the fort. Around the exterior, he planned for the creation of a moat, 10-15 feet deep and up to 20 feet wide.

Construction commenced on the earthwork in late March and soldier work crews toiled from dawn to dusk throughout the month of April. The fort was largely complete when Mexican forces crossed the Rio Grande on April 24 and attacked a U.S. scout party the following day. Taylor’s troops then worked around the clock on the site until May 1 to ensure that the post could withstand an assault. The U.S. General then placed the fort in the hands of Major Jacob Brown and a force of 500 men, before marching his army to Point Isabel to gather the supplies and materiel required to hold off a possible siege of Fort Texas.

The lightly-manned fort soon became the center of conflict. Mexican forces had intended to trap Taylor in the fort and institute a siege. Difficulties in traversing the Rio Grande, however, delayed this effort. General Mariano Arista pursued Taylor to Point Isabel but failed to overtake him. With the main American force safely ensconced in its coastal depot, Arista ordered a bombardment of Fort Texas as a ploy to draw Taylor into a fight. Firing commenced at daybreak on May 3 and would continue for 6 days.

Arista’s bombardment had its effect. On the evening of May 7, U.S. troops departed the coast and moved to rescue their fort. On May 8, at Palo Alto and May 9 at Resaca de la Palma, U.S. and Mexican forces faced-off in the opening battles of a prolonged war between their nations. U.S. victory in the second battle forced Arista to retreat back across the Rio Grande and ended the siege of the fort. Days later, as Taylor prepared to cross the river and occupy the Mexican city of Matamoros, he ordered the earthworks to be named Fort Brown, in honor of the commander who died during the siege.

The earthwork was abandoned following the occupation of Matamoros, but Fort Brown survived. Following the war with Mexico, activities and construction of fort facilities moved about ¼ to the north. The Fort Brown reservation remained an active outpost until 1945 when it was deactivated by the War Department, almost 100 years after its founding. The fort, including the historic earthworks, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Currently, the Fort Brown – Earthen Fort and historic buildings are owned by the International Boundary and Water Commission and maintained and managed by the UTB-TSC.

National Register of Historic Places

The Original Fort Brown Earthworks and Historic Fort Brown were adopted onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of cultural resources in need of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the program works to coordinate and support public and private efforts in identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, and culture.

National Historic Landmark Designation:

National Historic Landmarks (NHL) is nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.

Fort Brown, which includes the Original Fort Brown Earthworks, was designated as a NHL on December 19, 1960 and consists of three discontinuous historic districts. One comprises the standing ruins of the original earth fortification. The second consists of Fort Brown’s remaining historic Calvary Barracks and, the third encompasses a number of historic buildings that date from 1868. The Original Fort Brown Earthworks NHL boundary includes the remaining intact part of the breastworks constructed by General Taylor in 1846. The boundary forms a rectangle measuring 80 yards north/south by 170 yards east/west around the site. Beginning at the intersection of the two levees, the boundary proceeds east-southeast along the top of the levee for a distance of 170 yards (Fig. 1). The boundary then turns south-southwest for a distance of 80 yards and west-northwest for a distance of 170 yards. The last turn is north for 80 yards along the top if the western levee (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1. Outline of Original Fort Brown Earthworks on current aerial photograph of site.

Fort Brown is a nationally significant place due to its prominent role in the U.S. War with Mexico and U.S. Civil War and as a training ground in the Spanish-American War and mobilization point for border defense during the Mexican Revolution era. Throughout its early history, Fort Brown contributed significantly to the growth and defense of U.S. territory.

IV. LAND STATUS

The Original Fort Brown Earthworks has been dramatically altered since its construction in 1846 and little remains of the original earthen walls (Fig. 1). Currently, approximately 230 linear yards of exterior parapet and bastion walls remain standing as ruins, representing less than 25% of the original earthworks (Fig. 2). The original earthworks occupied approximately 12 acres. Of this, approximately 2.5 acres remain intact and undisturbed.

It is unclear why dirt from the earthen walls was removed and where it was transported to after removal. As late as 1939, aerial photographs appear to indicate that the earthwork walls were intact. However, by 1950, much of the earthen walls had been removed from its original location. Dirt from the earthen walls was likely used to construct the modern levee system which is still in use today.

Fig. 2. Existing standing ruins at the Original Fort Brown Earthworks site.

V. NATIONAL PARK SERVCE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDATION

The National Park Service recommendation for inclusion within the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site boundary includes the area contained within the NHL boundary plus lands to the north and east of the intersection where two levees meet (Fig. 3). This entire area has the potential to contain subsurface features; as revealed through ground penetrating radar surveys (Nickel and Nickel: 2004). The boundary was derived from the Mansfield’s 1846 scale drawing of the original earthworks (Fig. 4). The National Park Service recommends preservation of the additional area outside of the NHL boundary to protect the entire fort and preserve any subsurface remains that may still exist.

VI. PUBLIC USE POTENTIAL

As a Tourist Destination:

As a tourist destination, Fort Brown would likely attract visitors from the local, regional, and national arenas. The Fort Brown site is the location of one of the key battles which drew the United States and Mexico into a war over disputed territory. Each of the three battlefield sites (Fort Brown, Resaca de la Palma, and Palo Alto) are strategically located along a north-south gradient and geographically linked along the old Port Isabel to Matamoros road. Together, they help to tell the story of the strategic importance of the southern tip of Texas to the United States and the Rio Grande delta.

Efforts are currently underway to adjust the PAAL boundary to include Resaca de la Palma and to change the name of the park to Palo Alto National Historical Park. Inclusion of the Original Fort Brown Earthworks in the PAAL boundary would complete the story, assure further protection for this valuable historic site, and allow increased interpretation and promotion of the earthworks by the National Park Service. Because this National Historical Park will be nationally recognized as the only NPS unit dedicated to commemorating the U.S. War with Mexico it will likely draw visitors from the local area and around the country to the area. At each of the three sites, visitors would learn about site specific events and why each site is strategically tied to the other. A visitor center, as outlined in the park’s General Management Plan, could be developed on the university campus and used to interpret and draw visitors to Fort Brown.

The site will also likely draw researchers and students from the local, regional, and national arenas to study the sites archeology and history.

Tourism/Visitor Use in Immediate Area:

Brownsville, Texas is the southernmost city in the continental United States that shares a border with Mexico. Brownsville is 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico and is directly across the border from Matamoros, Mexico.

The population in Brownsville is approximately 170,000. Visitors from all over the United States come to the Brownsville area for sunshine, warm climate, excellent ocean beaches, and the opportunity to visit Mexico. Many individuals from Mexico visit the Brownsville for shopping, commerce and tourism, and access to the ocean beaches.

Fig. 3. National Park Service Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site boundary adjustment recommendation. The recommended boundary adjustment is represented by the area within the solid green line. Section A, B, and C represented the National Historic Landmark designations.

Fig. 4. Mansfield’s 1846 scale drawing of the Original Fort Brown Earthworks used as a basis for the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site administrative boundary adjustment recommendation.

History is very important to the region’s leaders and residents. The City of Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau has recently unveiled a new logo which emphasized the cities historic roots. The logo “Brownsville-With A History As Big As Texas” is designed to emphasize the important role Brownsville has played in our nation’s history.

In 2008, visiting historic sites and parks were among the top 10 leisure activities for tourists when visiting Texas, comprising over 13% of all visitors. It is estimated that states and communities who invest in the development of heritage and cultural tourism offerings are realizing a greater and faster return on their investment than other types of tourism products. According to a recent article in an Austin paper that was written on heritage tourism along the border, “…heritage destinations on the border are attracting more visitors and providing the base for an emerging tourism industry.”

The following population centers exist within a 75-mile radius of the Original Fort Browns Earthworks site. They include:

Brownsville, Texas 170,000
Los Fresnos, Texas 5,400
San Benito, Texas 25,000
Harlingen, Texas 66,000
Port Isabel, Texas 5,000
South Padre Island, Texas 2,700
Matamoros, Mexico 422,000

VII. SITE EVALUATION

The National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmark designations have documented and assessed the Original Fort Brown Earthworks as important resource to preserve for the nation.

By nature of its designation on the National Register of Historic Places and as a NHL, the Original Fort Brown Earthworks have been identified by Congress and the American people as a place of historical significance and in need of preservation for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

Local and regional entities support the protection and preservation of Fort Brown, including the original earthworks site.

The long term preservation and protection of the Original Fort Brown Earthworks has strong local and regional support. In 1988, a proposal to preserve and interpret the earthworks was developed by the Brownsville Community Foundation, Palo Alto National Park Committee, and University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. At that time, nine federal, state, city, and non-profit entities supported the proposal.

For this proposal, UTB-TSC staff emphasized the importance of continuing to provide potential educational opportunities, advancing cultural and historical missions, and providing community service through the preservation of the Fort Brown earthworks. State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., also emphasized the importance of maintaining the Fort Brown earthworks as an important part of our nation’s history. More recently, a report written by Dr. Antonio Zavaletta and Dr. Gene J. Paull, UTB-TSC (2008) called the original breastworks of Fort Texas, one of our nation’s most significant military sites.

Land contained within the recommended boundary adjustment is owned be several landowners.

Landowners include the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, International Boundary and Water Commission, Texas National Guard, and Army Reserve. The City of Brownsville leases the property south of the east/west levee from the International Boundary and Water Commission. This land is, in turn, sub-leased by the UTB-TSC for operation of a public golf course and driving range.

The Original Fort Brown Earthworks is very accessible through the UTB-TSC campus.

Located next to the Fort Brown Memorial Golf Course, the earthworks are easily accessible for interpretative, research, management, and maintenance activities. Road access is available from University Drive and parking is available at the Fort Brown Memorial Golf Course.

The original earthworks have been modified over time, but existing natural and cultural resources are currently protected.

The land comprising the original earthworks has changed dramatically from when the fort was constructed in 1846. Less than 25% of the earthwork exists in its original state. In the past 162 years, dirt from the earthwork walls may have been removed to construct and reinforce levees, for fill in building construction, and for various other purposes during the fort’s occupation.

VIII. ALTERNATIVES, BENEFITS, AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING THE ORIGINAL FORT BROWN EARTHWORKS.

ALTERNATIVE 1

NO ACTION:

Existing conditions would continue. The Original Fort Brown Earthworks would remain in public hands and continue to be managed by UTB-TSC, International Boundary and Water Commission, and City of Brownsville with no other outside agency involvement.

Benefits:

· No change in management strategies and impact to landowners or the local community. All landowners of battlefield tracts would retain title to their property.
· The site would remain on the National Register of Historic Places and NHL lists.
· Congressional authorization would not be needed to adjust the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site boundary to include the site.
· Congressional appropriations would not be needed for the management and operation of the new National Park Service unit.

Costs:

· The site would not be available to the general public for use or enjoyment.
· The site would not receive extra protection and national recognition as a unit under the National Park Service system.
· National Park Service resources, such as staffing and funding, would not be expended at the site for maintaining, interpreting, researching, and managing the site.
· The City of Brownsville and UTB-TSC would not benefit from increased tourism associated with a National Park Service unit in downtown Brownsville.
· The remaining walls will continue to deteriorate with time and limited stabilization. If allowed to continue, the walls will become dispersed; resulting in minimal to zero above ground structure.
· Proposed activities and development on the site as a National Register of Historic Places and NHL would subject to applicable federal and state regulations, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Endangered Species Act.

ALTERNATIVE 2

INCLUSION OF THE ORIGINAL FORT BROWN EARTHWORKS IN THE PALO ALTO NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE BOUNDARY AND MANAGEMENT BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE:

The administrative boundary of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site would be changed to include that area recommended by the National Park Service (Fig. 3). The area would be identified as part of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site and included as a unit within the National Park Service system. The current landowners would continue to maintain title and ownership over all lands contained within the boundary adjustment. However, the site would be co-operatively managed by the National Park Service and UTB-TSC.

A visitor contact station or kiosk, parking area and wayside exhibits would be located near the Unit or somewhere on the UTB-TSC campus. The facilities would be managed by UTB-TSC. The visitor contact station would be staffed and visitor service programs provided by the National Park Service. The visitor contact station and wayside exhibits would tell the story of the military engagements which took place at the Original Fort Brown Earthworks and historic Fort Brown as well as highlight the area’s rich cultural and natural heritage. A Memorandum of Understanding would be developed between UTB-TSC and the National Park Service for co-management, protection, interpretation, and maintenance of the lands designated within the new Unit. The National Park Service would provide natural and cultural resource recommendations and guidance for the site.

Benefits

· All landowners of battlefield tracts would retain title to their property.
· The site would remain on the National Register of Historic Places and NHL lists.
· The site would receive additional protection and national recognition as a part of the National Park Service system.
· A Memorandum of Understanding to co-manage the site between the University and National Park Service would be developed.
· National Park Service resources, such as staffing and funding, would be expended at the site for maintaining, interpreting, researching, and managing the site.
· The City of Brownsville and University would benefit from increased tourism associated with a National Park Service unit in downtown Brownsville.
· The site would be eligible for federal dollars which are earmarked for National Park units.
· The site would be promoted as a unit in the National Park System which would result in increased visitation to the site and University.
· Historic resource and archeological studies and stabilization work would be completed through National Park Service funding.
· The collective resources of one state and federal agency would be used to interpret the history of and protect the cultural resources at the site.
· University staff and students would be actively involved in completing research and interpretation at and assisting National Park Service staff with stabilization of the site.
· Additional federal funding will be available for site stabilization, archeological surveys, historic resource studies, interpretation, and research.

Costs

· Congressional authorization would be needed to adjust the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site boundary to include the site.
· Congressional appropriations would be needed for the management and operation of the new National Park Service unit.
· Activities which adversely affect the enabling legislation and reason for the site’s designation as a National Park unit would be difficult for landowners within the recommended boundary adjustment to complete or conduct. The 1916 Organic Act which established the National Park Service, instructed the service “…to promote and regulate the use of Federal Areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations…to conserve the scenery and natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
· Proposed activities and development within the newly established park unit would be subject to applicable federal and state regulations, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Endangered Species Act.
· The designation as a National Park unit will elevate the site to the national level in the eyes of the public and, in return, be subject to additional public input and scrutiny for any proposed activity of development.
· Congressional interest in and oversight of the site will be greater after designation as a National Park.

ALTERNATIVE 3

UTB-TSC AND NPS COOPERATIVELY MANAGE THE ORIGINAL FORT BROWN EARTHWORKS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE AND INTERPRETATION ACTIVITIES

The administrative boundary of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site would not be changed to include that area recommended by the National Park Service (Fig. 3).

A visitor contact station or kiosk, parking area and wayside exhibits would be located near the Original Fort Brown Earthworks or somewhere on the UTB-TSC campus. The facilities would be managed by UTB-TSC. The visitor contact station and wayside exhibits would tell the story of the military engagements which took place at the Original Fort Brown Earthworks and historic Fort Brown as well as highlight the area’s rich cultural and natural heritage. A Memorandum of Understanding would be developed between UTB-TSC and the NPS interpretation services at the visitor center. The National Park Service would provide natural and cultural resource recommendations and guidance for the site.

Benefits

· All landowners of battlefield tracts would retain title to their property.
· The site would remain on the National Register of Historic Places and NHL lists.
· A Memorandum of Understanding between the University and National Park Service to provide interpretive services at the visitor center would be developed.
· Congressional authorization would not be needed to adjust the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site boundary to include the site.
· Congressional appropriations would not be needed for the management and operation of the new National Park Service unit.
· The site would be available to the general public for use and enjoyment.

Costs

· The site would not receive extra protection and national recognition as a unit under the National Park Service system.
· National Park Service resources, such as staffing and funding, would be limited and restricted to that agreed upon under a Memorandum of Understanding between UTB-TSC and PAAL.
· The City of Brownsville and UTB-TSC would not benefit from increased tourism associated with a National Park Service unit in downtown Brownsville.
· The remaining walls will continue to deteriorate with time and limited stabilization. If allowed to continue, the walls will become dispersed; resulting in minimal to zero above ground structure.
· Proposed activities and development on the site as a National Register of Historic Places and NHL would be subject to applicable federal and state regulations, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Endangered Species Act.
· Additional federal funding for National Park Service units would not be available for site stabilization, archeological surveys, historic resource studies, interpretation, and research.

IX. References Cited

Nickel, Robert K. and Catherine A. Nickel. 2004. Feasibility Test of Ground-Penetrating
Radar at the First Fort Brown. Prepared for Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site,
National Park Service.
Zavaleta, Antonio and Gene J. Paull. 2008. The Original Breastworks at Fort Texas. Prepared
for University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.

Appendix A

IX. STUDY TEAM MEMBERS:

Mary Kralovec
Superintendent
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

Douglas Murphy
Historian/Chief of Operations
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

Rolando Garza
Archeologist/Chief of Resource Management
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

X. FORT BROWN PRESERVATION WORKING GROUP

Name: Organization

Ben Reyna: UTB-TSC
Doug Ferrier UTB-TSC
John Hawthorne: UTB-TSC
Milagro Hernandez: UTB-TSC
Laurie Howell: UTB-TSC
Paul Kavanaugh: UTB-TSC
Tony Knopp UTB-TSC, Brownsville Historical Association
Larry Lof: UTB-TSC, Brownsville Historical Association, Cameron County Historical Commission
Allen Peakes UTB-TSC
David Rivera: UTB-TSC
Dr. Ruth Ragland UTB-TSC
Rene Torres: UTB-TSC
Dr. Antonio Zavaleta UTB-TSC
Joe Gavito: City of Brownsville
Walter Plitt: Plitt Crane & Rigging
Marisela Cortez Historic Brownsville Museum
Javier Garcia: Historic Brownsville Museum
Rolando Garza: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
Mary Kralovec: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
Dr. Douglas Murphy: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

Imagine Brownsville Imagines a New Look for Downtown and Amigoland

2008-09-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Imagine Brownsville has recently come up with a proposal to revitalize downtown, not that this hasn’t been done before, and the area around the ITEC (former Amigoland Mall area) that looks into developing the river front from the Gateway International Bridge to Palm Blvd. This is an area that has been neglected for so long an is now time to see this area grow but only after we know what DHS is going to do regarding the border fence/wall.

After having read the Imagine Brownsville’s presentation on downtown revitalization, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Amigoland area where the ITEC is located included in the proposal. This presentation can be found at: http://www.imaginebrownsville.com/communitypresentations/Imagine%20Brownsville%20Downtown%20Revitalization%20Strategy%20Presentation.pdf.

The last three pages of this presentation caught my eye the most since the rest of the presentation touches on the core of business district of downtown that has been dissected with a microscope over the decades. The only difference with the downtown presentation is the way the river front would be developed. Going back to the last three pages I was glad to see some “real” effort on developing the Amigoland area. One developer has already plunged his money in this effort with a planned subdivision at the end of Palm Blvd where the 21st Century Rides would locate during Charro Days.

The first phase of the development appears to be nearing completion as streets have already been built and paved near the Rio Grande River. I went by this area a few months ago and there are even street signs posted. So someone sees some future in this area but other than this developer, which has also cleared the once dried up Resaca and replenished it with water, no one else has been willing to risk or even look into the possibility of developing this area other than maybe UTB/TSC.

The proposed project would make the area including the ITEC into a Venice styled waterways creating one large island where the ITEC is and three smaller ones with residential and commercial development. One of these islands is a large park in the middle of the development connected with bridges. This is a fantastic idea and should be given further scrutiny by our city commission as a viable development that a private developer would be interested in doing. This size and scope of a project would be best built after the current economic crisis is over. I, for one will send the commission my tentative approval for such a development if a private developer builds it. Something like this would be a definite draw to downtown.

The rest of the proposal is also fantastic but will take a heavy involvement from the city, county, and private developers to make this happen. But knowing politics around hear, I’ll be happy to see even just a quarter of this proposal built.

After reading this presentation, please contact the city commission and let them know what you feel about this development.

The Great Wall of USA: Why it Will Fail

2007-07-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

The Great Wall of China was built, over time starting in the 221th Century BC, as a method of stopping the invading army from the north. With time, the wall had eroded or sections destroyed and rebuilt time and time again until 1644, when the Manchus managed to cross the wall. Since then, they conquered lands far beyond the reach of the Great Wall and slowly the maintenance of the wall was reduced until it was forgotten. Move forward to the 21st Century and many walls around the world had been constructed only to be forgotten because they never fully accomplished their mission; to stop others from entering. Other reasons include changes in politics, high cost of maintenance, areas conquered beyond the wall, or forgotten over time only to be remembered in the history books. Let’s look at why this wall or fence is no different from all the ones before it: cost, politics, maintenance, geography, environmental, man power, and views about what a wall means to Mexicans, to name a few.
According to the International Boundary and Water Commission, the distance between the U.S. and Mexico from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean is 1,951 miles. The Rio Grande River (Rio Bravo in Mexico), which is the dividing line between the U.S. and Mexico, extends for 1,254 miles from the Gulf of Mexico until it reaches El Paso. Like all rivers, the Rio Grande River is not a straight river but a meandering river much like a snake slithering across the ground. Just in one linear mile, a river, if extended to form a straight line, can stretch for tens of miles due to the fact that the river can zigzag much like writing in cursive. Also, there is very thick vegetation that stretches along the river banks for hundreds of miles that is a life sustaining force for all creatures that live and require the river to survive.
If a wall or fence were to be built along the Rio Grande River, just imagine the logistics of building it. Would you follow the actual river, which would mean multiplying the 1254 miles by an average of a winding river if it were to be stretched in linear form, or building the wall (from now on I will refer to the wall as both an actual wall or fence since there is no way of knowing which one will be built) some miles away to form a straight line? This would equal to about 5,000 to 10,000 miles of river! Following the actual river would require about five to ten times as much material (averaging 5 to 10 miles of stretched linear river per mile) to build a wall. If the wall were to be built some miles away from the river to form a straighter wall, that would required eminent domain to “take away” land that has belonged to people who have lived there all their lives and need and require the river to sustain their agriculture and live stock.
Like all rivers, the Rio Grande River does, on occasions, change shape do to flooding, erosion, and even human intervention. This, intern, changes the boundary between the US and Mexico. This can happen when a river changes course by winding back onto itself creating a loop and then cutting off to a new direction leaving a piece of land cut off from one country and entering into another. If, say the wall were to be built along the river banks and a hurricane came along dumping enough rain to cause substantial flooding, which, in turn, causes the river to change shape, thereby changing the international boundaries, then not only will parts of the wall be destroyed but could also end up on the Mexican side. Mexicans would only be so happy to pick at it until nothing was left. Also, the US would be forced to spend more billions of dollars to fix or rebuild the wall and any roads. Nature is a force to be reckoned with and can never be totally controlled by humans. The cost of maintaining the wall would far exceed the need to have it in the first place. Taxpayers will eventually see the downside of paying for a wall that will forever require money to be maintained. The political landscape would then change course, like a river, demanding that the wall be removed and spend that money on other useful projects like education, transportation, and such, very similar to Iraq’s situation. People’s mind shift and change as often as rivers do and media follows the latest news and trends.
The media has been a willing or unwilling force that pounds its airwaves with whatever the people want to hear and whatever makes them money. Today immigration is a threat requiring the wall but tomorrow immigration is a friend needing to “tear down that wall.” Billions would have been spent and illegal immigration would continue to flow with or without a wall.
No matter how you build that wall, the mere fact that it is being built with material that eventually erode, corrode, or breaks with time, the wall will eventually disappear and with it, the will or money to continue to maintain it. Say a fence was to be built along the entire river front. Then add smugglers and others needing to get across to the US. It would only take a manner of time to figure out a way to get through it. Smugglers would send people to cut through the fence at various points causing more time, money and man power to seal it, but eventually, people get through. There are only so many holes that you can plug up before the dam breaks.
Lastly, there is a treaty between the US and Mexico that precludes the fence from being built in the first place. This treaty is summed up as saying that neither nation can build a wall that will, in some fashion, distort the flow of the river due to any man-made object. Changing the flow and direction of the river causes the border between the two nations to change, thereby, defying the treaty. The International Boundary & Water Commission is responsible for making sure that the border between the two nations remains as is.
What would happen if the US builds a fence that will eventually lead to changing the border boundaries? Will the US defy the treaty and act in arrogance and build the wall. What message are we sending Mexico? How would Mexico react? No one knows but it is safe to say that it’s best not to find out.
The question now is, how best to resolve the issue with illegal immigration into the US via the Mexico-US border? First of all, of the 12 million illegal immigrants that entered the US, half did so by legal means, meaning that they overstayed their visas. The other half presumably entered through the southern US border while a small fraction entered by other means and location. The money that is being spent on a fence that would not due much would be better invested in the US Immigration department and Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) at all ports of entry such as airports, land ports, and sea ports. CBP is so severely underfunded and undermanned that they can not due their jobs effectively and efficiently causing low moral, frustration, and poor job performance in checking all those entering the US. These departments are one of the most important departments in the US’s efforts to combat illegal immigration yet one of the least funded. Even worse, both the US Immigration and CBP were forced to merge duties causing havoc and poor understanding of each others jobs. US Immigration is (was) responsible for issuing I-94’s (permits to enter US beyond the border region) and making sure that only qualified foreigners enters, whereas CBP was responsible for checking vehicles and visas of people coming via land ports. Both serves very different functions and now are forced to learn each others jobs and add on to stress and confusion to an already overburden system and lack of proper training in each of the different departments and procedures.
Both departments need to separate and continue doing the work they used to due and Congress and the White House need to increase funding and hire more people while adding proper training in US Immigration laws. Then, the US will be able to curb illegal immigration. Also, Border Patrol needs to add more people to the frontlines and have better equipment that will help them find and capture illegal immigration into the US.
But as long as people remain ignorant of the border geography, treaties, culture, and continue to believe the media that loves to feed on such issues while providing improper knowledge of border issues, and the White House and Congress’s unwillingness to provide the proper funding for border posts, the issue with illegal immigration will continue even with a fence or wall. The only difference is that illegal immigration will shift to a different area while the US tries to plug up the holes in the walls with their fingers. Eventually the damn will break and the story starts all over again.

Help Restore Downtown Buildings

2007-01-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

I would like to direct these comments to the owners of historical buildings in downtown Brownsville.

Recently, there has been a flurry of restoration and renovations throughout downtown, which includes west downtown. This restoration of both commercial and residential buildings has been going on for some time and every year the downtown looks one building better with each restoration. Unfortunately, there are those who don’t feel the need to do the same for their buildings. If you walk down Elizabeth & Washington Streets, you will see buildings that have been neglected for so long that are now a shell of their former selves. Looking back at pictures of downtown from the early 1900s and you get a sense of what these majestic buildings must have looked like at that time. Fortunately, many of these buildings still exist but have been “modernized” during the 1940’s to 60’s. They lie behind aluminum sidings, bricked up, covered, ignored or even butchered but many have survived the brutal assault with disdain in their appearance.

I now politely ask the current owners of these forgotten buildings to help restore these beautiful and majestic icons of their time. Then, and only then, will downtown be the crown jewel for architecture and restoration south of San Antonio and be the marvel of the RGV! Yes, it is costly to restore but please consider this; if it is not done, these buildings may not be around for another 100 years to be enjoyed by the citizens and tourists alike in their time. The time is now because weather, pollution, neglect, and time take a toll on these buildings. They could easily last another 200 years with a little TLC.

When purchasing or owning historical buildings, it should be realized that you are now part of that history and share the responsibility and duty to care, maintain, and/or restore these wonders of our city. So please consider my pleas and do the right thing; restore your historic building or residence and see how people will once again want to live and work in a fully restored downtown that will equal or surpass that of downtown San Antonio! What it lacks in height makes it up for in architecture and density that few downtowns have in the nation.

On a final note, I would like to thank the owners of historical commercial and residential buildings in downtown (east & west) that have taken great care and expense at restoring a part of our history such as, but not limited to: The Bollack building, Dancy building, 409 Galleria building. La Madrilena building, The Cueto building, Alonso building, the Kraigher House (on Paredes Ln), and many, many more that are too numerous to mention in this column. Thank you very much and hope to see more buildings come around until one day downtown is fully restored and then can the City say or advertise Brownsville as a historic city.

Building a Tower Next to the Rio Grande River

2006-06-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

The San Antonio Tower of the Americas at 750 ft tall.

What Brownsville needs in order to attract more tourists is a tower similar to the one in San Antonio. A similar tower would definitely put Brownsville on the map! Here's my idea as to where to build such a tower and what amenities to provide.

As for the location of an observation tower is a no brainer. Build it right on Sam Pearl Blvd between the Gateway and B&M Int'l bridges where it would be visible for miles towards Mexico and the US. I envision a tower that is at least 1,000 ft tall (taller than the SA tower at 750 and even bigger than the Reunion Tower in Dallas at 560 ft or even the Space Needle in Seattle at 605 ft), which would make it the tallest in Texas and maybe in the nation (can't verify the nation part)! I know for a fact that even at 14 stories (Villa del Sol) on a clear and sunny day you can just make out the SPI skyline and maybe even a glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico. Now multiply that view by almost 72 times to 1,000 ft and you will have a view of not just the surrounding areas of Brownsville, Matamoros, and SPI but deep into Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, Boca Chica Beach with a glimpse of the Rio Grande ending at the gulf, and the US; maybe even seeing Harlingen with a telescope! What a view that would be! The location of the tower would place it at a near perfect view for people coming from Mexico along the highway to Victoria and Reynosa from nearly 30 miles away. People would be fascinated by a building that could be seen from miles away just as I was when going to Chicago and seeing the Sears Tower jut above the skyline even at 30 miles away. It was very impressive and awe inspiring as I got close to Chicago. If Brownsville really wants to be a tourist attraction, then it needs to build a tower that can have a view like no other place in the US. I would imagine people from all over the US wanting to take a peak into Mexico without actually going over there. The tower would definitely help spur development along the Rio Grande River and the downtown area. Hotels would be built in and around the tower. Restaurants and shops would follow with hundreds of tourists a day packing in to see the historic downtown along with a view to behold from atop. Historical building owners would then find interest in restoring their facades beatifying the downtown with its architecture and culture found nowhere else along the US/Mexico border.

Along with the view there would have to be a restaurant at top just like all other towers. But to attract more people to the tower, a convention center or events center of sorts that can hold at least 1,000 people would make it a draw to not just tourists but to events such as weddings, meetings, forums, etc. This is my version of how such a tower would look like. At the top of the tower, the convention/events center would be located to take advantage of a large skylight that could be built on the roof. The skylight would be able to open up and people could enjoy the day or evening breeze and also a skywalk could be built on the outside of the events center. Below the events center would be the restaurant that would rotate 360 degrees every hour just like most towers do. Below the restaurant would then be the observation tower for the general public. The tower would have to be built to withstand hurricane winds of up to 170 mph to ensure the safety of those around the tower. Also, the tower would have to have high speed elevators to reach the top in no time. At the bottom of the tower would be a circular parking lot with a nice land space with palm trees and native plants. On the outside of the tower between the convention center/events floor and the restaurant would be a TV style display that would be about 1 ½ to 2 stories tall along the circumference of the tower to display the latest events and such. Something similar to what you find in NY and Las Vegas with these huge signs on buildings. It would be visible at night for miles away. It would the the icon of Brownsville just as the El Jardin Hotel was when it was built in the 1930s.

Brownsville needs to think big if it were to one day match or beat McAllen’s economy. Visions such as mine are far fetched but not beyond reality. Brownsville needs to attract more tourism and help diversify its economy if it wants to succeed in the 21st century. A tower such as the one I envision would spark a building and retail boom for years to come and put it on the map not just nationwide but worldwide. We do live in a global economy and we need to capture that vision and build it to announce to the world that we’re here: On the Border, By the Sea.

10 Reasons for Repopulating Downtown

2006-05-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

Revitalizing downtown is not just about fixing the facades of the historic buildings but convincing people to move back into downtown, which, in turn, will trickle down to revitalizing the area.

But here comes the chicken or the egg situation. People don't want to move to an area that does not have the accomadations and conviniences of large shopping centers or grocery stores within a mile or so, which downtown lacks sorely. By the same token, national retail & restaurant businesses are not going to go to an area that lacks people, especially where the income level is not justifiable to them. So how do you redevelop the downtown when the majority of the people and businesses don't want to be the first to do so? Ha, that's the problem that has plagued downtown B'ville for so long since after its fall in the early 1980's.

With all these new shopping centers and an expanded mall recently, people will see the northern part of the city as more attractive therefore attracting more businesses, which then creates a loop of bringing more people and then businesses and vice versa. It begins to actually create its own growth without outside help. But what is happening today in north B'ville didn't happen overnight not even six years ago with the Sunrise Mall renovation. It happened decades back when developers were building new subdivisions with promise of peace and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of downtnown. The Valley International Country Club (VICC) and the Brownsville Country Club (BCC) were one of the firsts to develop on the FM 802 rd where it was once a two lane and cattle would outnumber people. What a difference 30 years years makes! Now, it's the north side with the hustle and bustle that even surpasses the downtown traffic congestion. it appears that now, people want to live in an area that is rapidly getting overcrowded with vehicles, people, and parking lots. From an airplane, you would think that there was a huge ant hill taking over the north section as massive parking lots and stand alone buildings begin to creep into what once was brush land. slowly, land that belonged exclusively to animals now is reigned by humans. Where once birds were the prominant voices of the land is now drowned out by the steel creatures with their engines, load mufflers, boom boxes, and the whir of the wind as the these creatures slices through the atmoshpere where it could be heard for a mile out at speeds unheard of in the animal kingdom. Nature must now compete with man and their unsatiable need for space.

Many large cities and even towns across the nation are beginning to take notice of the above mention and have begun or already have implemented revitalization efforts to resurrect their downtown district not just to help keep undeveloped land from being desacrated but for many other reason as well. Here's what I believe that downtown should be redeveloped and repopulate it.

I. Minimizing the Impact on the Ecology.

This is the most obvious one since I had just mentioned it above. Too much land is being overtaken and there is now less land for the our animal neighbors to enjoy without human presense. People then complain that there are wild animals in their backyard, but who can blame these victims of human intrusion. When I walk around the Paseo de la Resaca (between FM 802 & Paredes Line Rd), which has an excellent hike and bike trail, I see at night a buch of jack rabits, sand pipers, snakes, and other creatures whose land is slowly being paved or built over and have less space to hide and hunt in their area. Now they are reduces to just a few acres of land that at one time stretched for hundreds of miles. And even this tine area will no onger be their home. What will happen to then is unknown cuz no one does research here about these dispalced animals. By reconcentrating people back into downtown, it will help minimize the destruction of the undeveloped land as well as imposing ordinances where once the downtown can no longer support more people, then, and only then can developers go outside of the downtown area but this last option would be highly improbable as it would send a negative image about B'ville not freindly to developers but then what other options would there be to keep developers in downtown?

2. Up vs Sideways

This is definately true. Their is more space up than sideways. you can hold more people in an acre of land going up than gobbling up land for the same amount of people. Parking garages are usually built into the existing building so as not to take so much space and minimize the impact of unsightly humungous parking lots. Sure, living in apartment style is not for every one but at least offer the option. Some would rather live in single homes and that's fine but there is a lot of space for single home in and around downtown, within a mile radius. There should be a combination of high-rise & mid-rise apartment and condos along with 1 to 2 story homes that can, with careful planning, be integrated together but not be too unsightly where all of a sudden there is a high-rise next to a one-story home. There would have to be intervals of residential homes next to mid-rises and fianlly high-rises to give the impression of a skyline that is well managed and eyepleasing.

3. Economic Cost

As a city grows, mostly for reasons of creating a larger tax base, so does the cost of providing utilities such as light and sewer, police, firefighters, ems, paved roads along with maintanance, schools, and other miscellaneous costs. Is it really worth the time, effort, and money to annex land that will not pay for itself? I can see annexing along the expressway but annexing any other part of the city is futile and costly to tax payers. Lately, the city has been annexing mostly empty land or land that has few residential areas, which means that in the future, the city will have to provide all of the above but will the city get a return on its investments? How does the city justify the expense just to look bigger on the map? As a city grows further and further away from its downtown, the more expensive it becomes to provide the above mention services, especially considering that the costs of everything goes up every year. Ultimately, the city would need to either raise taxes or go for bonds, which is the same as raising taxes on an already over taxed taxpayers in one of the poorest cities in the nation where the per capita income is aout $9,800/year. No. The answer is not to continue annexing land that will not even break even, but to reinvest in the areas that are already have the services in place. By repopulating the downtown area, it is possible to increase the tax base by building highrises and even single family homes within a two mile radius. As more people move closer together, the city is able to recieve more in taxes without the added stress of adding new services. PUB wouldn't have to continue spending on building new sewer lines or power poles and the city would not have to maintain city streets that it would have to be built in the future (already, the city has over 350 miles of streets). The further sideways a city grows, the bigger the demand for services to these areas. The city would eventually go bankrupt without raising significantly the already high taxes. BISD wouldn't have to continue building new schools or even daring to ask voters for more money to catch up to the outer edges of the city. The city would, in time, recieve more tax money than it would spend creating a surplus and then reinvesting the surplus back into the community. The era of bonds and tax raising would be a thing of the past.

4. Fewer Miles to Get From Here to There

Living within the downtown area, where sidewalks exists, would help foster an active walking activity by walking to your nearest convinience store, retail store, restaurant, banks, the downtown district or even work! The future downtown will encompass new hike and bike trail creating safe places to get from one place to another. With diabetes rated the number one risk factor in the Rio Grande Valley, what better way to beat this disease than by "walking" away from it. People would not need to rise by car to reach the nearest store or bank. Most people could opt to walk there instead. Nothing would be further than a two mile thus, even if one had to use their car, it would not take more than a few minutes without the hassle of fighting through traffic at the bottlenecks near the expressway. Also, students going to UTB/TSC would be spend less in travel cost by living near the campus, thus saving in gas and money, which is in short supply when going to school.

5. Preserving the Historical Nature of Downtown

As more people move closer or into the downtown, more of the historical structures will more than likely be rescued and restored. There would be more interest in restoring these structures to attract those who are interested in living in these majestic buildings. Before long, say about 20 years, most if not all of the buildings will have occupied upper floors versus today where only the bottom floors are occupied. With more interest in living in downtown the more interest in bring the buildings back to life.

6. Less Pollution in Brownsville

Living in downtown provides the opportunity of walking rather than driving as the downtown offers sidewalks from St Charles St. to nearly all the way to the Expressway 77/83. It's safer to wlak in downtown without the worry about being hit by a car when crossing a major intersection such as Boca Chica Blvd or FM 802 (though there is still dangers from getting mugged but that could happen anywhere at anytime). With more people walking than driving means less pollution from car exhuasts, which in turn creates better breathing for everyone.

7. Downtown View

Living in downtown would provide a view like no other place in the RGV. I know cuz I've been to most of the tall buildings including the 14-story Villa del Sol apartments and the view is phenominal! talk about being able to see a large swath of Matamoros adn into Mexico along with the international bridges, view of UTB/TSC with its beautiful architecture, to the north east and east with the view of the Port of Brownsville as well, on good sunny and clear day, the view of the skyline of SPI (only at 14 floors and above) and the view toawrds north B'ville where all you see is a sea of green! Not to mention the incredible view of the downtown historic buildings. It's just amazing to see all this and can only be viewed from the downtown area. If developers woudl take the time to go into the upper floors (especially the Villa del Sol), the would see opportunity ($$) knocking ont heir doors and build high-rises to take advantage of these amazing views. Really, no other place in the valley could you find a view such as this.

8. Within walking Distance

Living in and around downtown would provide short walking distances to the UTB/TSC, Matamoros, downtown, the soon to be built MultiModal Transportation Terminal, Glady's Porter Zoo, the various parks such as: Washington Park, the newly renovated Dean Porter Park, Lincoln Park, Hope Park (along the river), St. Charles Park and the future Linear Park in front of the Federal Courthouse and its future hike and bike trail the Historic Battlefield Trail and the Texas Trail of Trees. Phew, those are a buch of parks located within a mile or so from the downtown district.

9. The Future West Loop

Once the West Rail Relocation Project (will remove all RR tracks and build a new rail bridge west of Brownsville) is complete, it will free up the existing railroad tracks from the B&M Int'l Bridge to near Alton Gloor. This, in turn, will become the future West Loop. It's not determined yet if it will become a limited access highway such as the expressway or a boulevard. in either case, a new direct acces to north Brownsville and the Expressway 77/83 will be built to downtown. This means more people will be able to get to downtown other than the expressway. With any luck, the future West Loop will become an expressway style to help move people in and out of dowtnown without congesting the existing expressway. The West Loop will definately help with revitalizing downtown.

10. A Place Like no Other

Living in downtown would be like living in the past while looking into the future. As new projects such as mid and/or high-rises make their way into downtown providing views as mentioned above, it will provide an experience where you can walk or drive in downtown while seeing the historic structurte with modern buildings (once built in the future) and having a feeling of nostalgia. there is so much history here that can't be felt or seen anywhere else in the Rio Grande Valley. Living in downtown is really living "On the Border, By the Sea."

Well, these are my ten reasons for living in downtown and I'm sure I have thought of others but can't think of them right now. I hope this article helps you all to see the opportunites in repopulating downtown and maybe even convince you of doing the same. As for me, I'm waiting a while longer to be able to buy a midrise building and living in the upper floor while renting the rest of the building. I dream about this every day and look forward to enjoying the view and living in the past splashed with the present. hope to see you all there in the future.

A New Brownsville Convention Center Needed

2006-02-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

The new $50M McAllen Convention Center under construction.

In the 1953, Brownsville built one of the most modern and advanced civic center in the US, which was also recognized internationally and won an award for its architectural style. There were plans in the 1990s to renovate it and even add a highrise hotel to attract more conventions to our area but instead, it was sold to UTB/TSC and Brownsville lost a civic center and any future hope of attracting conventions to Brownsville.

Instead of building a new convention center with the money received from UTB/TSC, was used, instead, to build a Brownsville Events Center costing into the tens of millions of dollars with a capacity of just 1,300 people. Albeit it is a beautiful building (I got married there last year and loved the place), it's not what it was intended for; a convention center. So much money went into this building to attract conventions to brownsville and ended up attracting mostly weddings, quinceneras, small conferences, etc. How does the city of Brownsville intend to attract a larger audience with a capacity of only 1,300 max? Answer, it can't!

There was no clear vision for this building and under went numerous of design changes after construction began. It was, in my opinion, a disaster from the beginning. Not only are we left without a convention center that is built precisely for that purpose, the city is now having to pay for a building that lost its purpose and is now in the red cuz of the low prices (any higher and Events Center would not be able to attract enough people to it), high maintainance cost, poor location, small capacity, not enough exposure, and little room to expand in the future. Its cost was way over the origial cost by millions and produced a building that is costing more to run that its attracting. In other words, the tax payers of Brownsville were expecting a convention center, and got an "events center." We were let down enourmously.

But not all is lost. There is still hope in building a convention center in Brownsville with a location that would be perfect for its use. here's my idea of the right way to build a convention center and a good location to build it on:

In order to attract people to a convention center and make it a success, a convention center must have the following criteria:

1. Build it next to the expressway.
2. Build it close to the city's major attractions
3. Build a parking garage with the building
4. Build it with the architectural style of the city
5. Build it within the heart of the city
6. Build it with at least a 10,000 person capacity

Let me now break this down for you.

For a convention center to be successful, it needs to be built in a high visibility area and next to a major highway such as the expressway. My ideal location for this new convention center that would meet and exceed all of the above criteria would be between 6th and 7th St right up next to the expressway. This is a large lot where there are several old warehouses and the site of the old Pacific Railroad line. To make it easier to imagen, start at the Federal Courthouse that in front of the Police Department. In front of the courthouse will be the future Linear Park that will also serve as a memorial for veterans. In this park is the now under construction Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts and a new office building and a new parking lot for the zoo. In front of the musuem are sevral old warehouses that and empty space. This is the area I'm refering to.

It's an execellent location because first, it's right next to the expressway and eventually, the 6th & 7th Streets will be realigned with the McDavitt Street. This area will have better traffic flow and easy access with the expressway for convenience and less traffic troubles. Second, the location is close to many of the city's major attractions, such as the zoo, the recently renovated and Dean Porter park, which is largest park in Brownsville along with the furute Linear Park and the hike and bike trail that will connect the Federal Courthouse with the Palo Alto National Battlefield Park, the historic downtown area and Matamoros (via the Veteran's Int'l Bridge, Gateway Int'l Bridge, and the B&M Int'l Bridge), UTB/TSC, the Brownsville Multimodal Transportaion Terminal (once its been built, see more about this in this blog), and the shopping retail in Boca Chica Blvd and the Sunrise Mall along with the multitude of shopping retail in north Brownsville. It's all within easy reach to all of these areas as this new convention center would be located in the heart of the city, which is the 5th requirement. All locations are within a few miles from this proposed location.

Also of importance will be the proximatey of the Brownsville/SPI International Airport, once the second phase of East Loop is finished. A good convention center needs to have excellent access to a mojor airport. The second phase of East Loop will begin at the end of the expressway near the Veteran's Int'l bridge and then head a small ways along the East Ave towards the Southmost Blvd. But after just less than a quarter mile, the loop will then turn right and follow the levee to bypass most of southmost area and connect directly with the airport. Also important to note is that in the future, the third phase of the East Loop will be to connect the airport to the Port of Brownsville, which inturn, the existing FM 511 will be turned into a limited access highway that connects to the expressway north of Brownsville. To put this in to perspective, the convention center location would place it within a loop where the airport, Port of Brownsville, the highway to SPI, and north of Brownsville will be connected to each other via the East Loop and FM 511. This is important to note because of all the traffic activity that will occure on the expressway once the east loop projects, FM 511 project, and the expansion of the expressay are completed. Also important is that out-or-town visitors going to the convention center would not get lost because of the location. Visitors would not be complaining about getting lost if they coming from the airport or the highway.

Location is only half the battle. You can have great access to a convention center but if the building looks butt ugly, that will also reflect on locals and visitors alike. The design of the building is very critical. In this respect, this new convention center should have architectural styling that is appropriate for the area that it will be built in. In this case, the historic downtown area. The design of the building should reflect a Mission style, Border Brick style, or Spanish-Colonial style, which are the more popular style of downtown. Though there are many different styles of architecture found in the downtown area, it would be better to keep with the more popular style to blend in more appropriately. Also, since we have entered into the 21st century, the architect should also fuse and blend appropriately with which ever of the above mentioned style with today's modern styling such as the use of large quantities of glass and energy saving materials and solar power to make the building more envirometally sound and use less electricty for lower costs. In this way, visitors can see a building with a connection to the past but also know that its was built in the 21st Century with our enviroment and styling of today in mind.

Since the area that I have proposed is not large enough to hold a parking lot and the building, I would then propose a multilevel garage. It's costly but the only way to get around with the parking situation. The building itself should also be several stories in height, maybe up to five or six-stories to take advantage ot the scenery of the downtown area and also make it highly visible to those traveling along the expressway. Self advertising is free when everyone can see you from a distance. It will also look like a building that people can identify with when they think of Brownsville, on the border by the sea ...

But none of this is possible if the city of Brownsville does not look forward and take advantage of the unique location, which I have described above, and styling that a convention center should meet, based on the six criterias. The city must act soon as McAllen is already years ahead of us. But our advantage would be location, location, location only if the city acts soon and builds it.

The Web Drug Store Restoration

2006-01-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

The Web Drug Store built in c.1850s. The building is undergoing extensive renovation. Picture taken in Jan 2006

Located on 409 E. 13th St, this building may not look historical but most of it dates back to the early 1850s. According to Mark Clark, owner of the building, it appears that it was first constructed as a single story building (the left side) then the second floor was added in subsequent years. The right side of the building was also added years later and has had numerous additions and renovation throughout its lifetime.

When Mr. Clark bought the commercial building, the exterior was covered in white stucco and did not have the balcony that is in the picture and the interior was nothing like the original interior modified numerous times. The ceiling had severeal layers of asbestos and the interior walls also had several different layers of paint. At one point, the interior was painted orange, according to Mr. Clark. The restoration of the building began in the summer of 2005 and slowly begun the painful and slow restoration of the buiilding as close to the original as possible. One notible exception it the hadicap restroom being built in the little courtyard behind the building. The handicap codes must also aply to historical buildings.

Once completed, Mr. Clark intends on putting in an art galleria and at the current pace of restoration, could happen sometime this year. Mr. Clark's historic building is one of several buildings that are undergoing restoration in the downtown area as are historical homes both in the east and west downtown. It is people like Mr. Clark and other owners who are resotirng their buldings that help revitalize the downtown and hope that it creates a ripple effect to other owners in the downtown area to follow suit and slowly but surely, bring back to life and the architecture that has for so long been missing from our beloved and architecturaly sacred downtown.

To all the people who have or are in the process of restoring the historical commercial buildings and residential homes, Thank You!

TonyL

Brownsville Multimodal Transportation

2006-01-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

The most recent design concept of the Brownsville Multimodal Transportation Terminal. Construction could begin as early as 2008.

If all goes as planned, by 2008, downtown Brownsville will be home to a new, larger, more beautiful bus terminal called the Brownsville Multimodal Transportation Terminal. This new terminal will be home to the City BUS and also all of the private bus companies such as Adame, El Expresso, Greyhound, etc. This terminal will affect downtown in a positive way by combining all the bus companies under one roof, make public transportation easier to use for the UTB/TSC students as well as the downtown area, and create a ripple effect with new retail and restaurants. The area that will be demolished does not have any historical structures and will help improve the area as its structure will blend in with its historical architecture.

At this point, a Federal Transit Administration approval of an environmental assessment is required then it goes back to public commenting and if all goes well, construction will soon follow. This is a project long over due and when built, will improve the downtown image and transportation for all.

TexasMetroForum

2005-12-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

I've been noticing a lot of enthusiasm about B'ville's growth and especially the new high-rise coming soon. I have received a lot of e-mails about inquiries on the latest info on B'ville's current and future projects and for those of you who are really interested in this kind of stuff, please go to the TexasMetroForum. I go hear everday and check out the latest in the RGV and Texas. There is also a forum on the TexasmetroForum on Brownsville-Harlingen/McAllen-Edinburg where people like myself post the latest devlopments in town with pics and info. There are also other people from across Texas that comment and like to talk about our area.

Please join us and become a member in this forum. Check it out!

TonyL

Brownsville’s Skyline Is About to Change

2005-12-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

At left is the design of the proposed Lone Star National Bank/Condo

Sometime before the end of the decade, a new high-rise will make its presence known to all Brownsvillians and alike. Pending second approval from the city commission, this new tower will rise above its surrounding at the intersection of FM 802 and Country Club Rd (where it intersects with McAllen Rd). It will be the tallest outside of downtown at 11-stories and will be a mix use building with a bank, retail, and condominiums.

The building will be owned by Lone Star National Bank, which will be housed on the first floor as well as the retail stores. The upper floors will be condos overlooking the nearby resaca and the booming northwest section of town. Although I would have preferred it to be located in downtown, I welcome any new high-rise in or outside of downtown. I believe that within ten to twenty years, a second downtown will begin to emerge between FM 802 (Ruben M Torres Blvd) and Alton Gloor. This area has seen explosive growth in just the last five years unparalleled since the early 1900s.

Some may say that a second “downtown” with its own skyline will overshadow the current downtown and be forgotten but I don’t think it’s true. If anything, it may help it in the long run. Unfortunately at this time, the current downtown will not attract people from the north part of town simply because there’s hardly any national brand retail or restaurants to shop, which is the reason people are flocking to the north part of town. Also, people from our area do not have the money to renovate the existing mid-rises located in the downtown area to help bring back the people.

So how is it that a second downtown will help resurrect the current downtown? As Brownsville grows and attracts people and businesses from out of town, they will undoubtedly move into the new subdivisions and high-rises that will be popping up in the next five to ten years. But with the infusion of wealthier people to our area, will come more money and also attract people who would love the historical part of town. Our city can support two downtowns as our population grows. The people who begin to move to our area and unfamiliar with this city will be attracted to the modern side of the city but eventually, they will venture into the historical section of the city and fall in love with its architecture of the buildings and homes, proximity to the border and the university, and the culture within the downtown. It’s these few percentage of people that will see the value in restoring these buildings and have the capitol to invest in such ventures, thus bringing people back to downtown and maybe even seeing new mid and high-rise buildings being built in about twenty years.

Before you know it, Brownsville will have a nice small skyline that will be on par to what South Padre Island has right now. I wont be surprised if a high-rise (12-stories + or 150 feet) gets built between now and 2015. The one mentioned above is 11-stories, one shy of being called a high-rise unless the height (unknown at this time) is at least 150 feet, which it may since the design has a mission style roof that may put it above 150ft. In any case, if this building doesn’t count as a high-rise, others may soon follow that may be taller. This is an exciting time for Brownsville since for so long it has lacked any kind of sizable skyline. The tallest building is 14-stories while the next tallest is at 8-stories, the rest of the buildings are less than 6-stories, which makes our downtown look sparingly in height.

I predict that the next ten years will see 15 mid-rises (4 to 11 stories), two 4-story hotels have already been built or is in construction, three high-rises, and no skyscraper (40+ stories or 500ft +). I don’t see a skyscraper happening before 2025. There would have to be Fortune 500 companies and much wealthier people living in Brownsville for this to happen.

Both McAllen and Brownsville are poised to see their cities grown up like their bigger counterparts such as San Antonio and Austin and enter into a new era of skyscrapers. With a plethora of people from the north relocating to the southern part of the country such as the RGV for its temperate weather, it is only natural to see taller buildings being built to accommodate businesses, tourism, and people. Brownsville will definitely be in the receiving end.

Rescuing the Original Fort Brown

2005-12-01T10:53:00.004-08:00

The drawing shows the original Fort Texas, later remaned Fort Brown in honor of Maj. Jacob Brown who was killed during the Mexican-Ameriacn War, at the left with the six-pointed star shaped fort. To the left and bleow of the fort is the once mighty Rio Grande River. Matamoros is below the river and Brownsville is at the upper, left hand corner.

When one thinks of Fort Brown in Brownsville, you envision the building that is currently still standing at UTB/TSC with its beautiful arches and gabbled roof, which is now called Gorgas Hall (The President of UTB/TSC’s oofice). You may even remember the Morgue, and the Regiment House and maybe even the Cavalry building. These structures form part of the ever expanding university and its history as many of the newer buildings were and continue to be built in the same style.

But what many people fail to realize is that these buildings were built roughly 23 years after the original fort was built. This fort was called Fort Texas and was built right along the Rio Grande River where the UTB/TSC golf course now resides. Fort Texas (later renamed Fort Brown, in honor of Maj. Jacob Brown, who died during a Mexican attack on the stronghold during the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848) was mostly a 9-ft high mound of dirt in the shape of a five-pointed star. It was built to fend off the Mexican army that laid claim to the land south of the Nueces River near San Antonio. General Zachary Taylor was sent to this region to keep the Mexican army from claiming this land because the Americans considered the Rio Grande River the official border between Mexico and the United States.

Fort Texas (Fort Brown, as I will call it from now on) held off the Mexican army’s attempt to take over the land north of the Rio Grande River until the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe that stipulated that the border between the US and Mexico would be the Rio Grande River. The war was over. Fort Brown then saw action once again during the Civil War and the Confederates holding off Fort Brown eventually had to leave before the Yankees took over the fort blowing up the fort with explosives.

After the Civil War was over, a new fort was built next to the “horseshoe” shaped resaca (oxbow lake) and closer to the downtown. The fort was once again called Fort Brown and its duty was to make sure that the Mexicans stayed on their side of the border and to bring back law and order that was threatening the area. One historical fact is that the first US military aircraft to be shot at by enemy fire happened close to the old fort near the Rio Grande in the US presumably from Matamoros.

The original Fort Brown was completely abandoned and left to the elements of time and weather where it still remains today in the UTB/TSC golf course. From my understanding, a levee now runs through it cutting it nearly in half with overgrown grass. The mound must now be about three to four feet high and could easily be mistaken for a hill. UTB/TSC nor the City of Brownsville have taken steps in rescuing this incredibly historic, albeit made of dirt, fort from disappearing altogether. It’s interesting to note that Brownsville likes to advertise the city’s and university’s historical roots but ignores the fact that many of the historical buildings, homes, and even the original fort lie near ruins.

It is also interesting to note that UTB/TSC has done an incredible job in restoring a few very old buildings like the Cueto Building, Alonso Building, and the buildings at UTB built in the 1860s to 70s and soon the Kraigher House but has either forgotten or ignored the original fort; Fort Brown (Fort Texas).

This past weekend I went to San Antonio (been there many times before) but have never been to the Alamo. It was a great experience as the Alamo was in very good conditions with hundreds of visitors at any one time. I was also happy to see that San Antonio takes pride in maintaining its history and can boast of being a historic city as many of its historical buildings have been restored or are in the process of.

Which brings be back to Brownsville. Why can’t we (B’ville) do the same with our ruined fort? It can easily be rebuilt since it was primarily made of dirt and only stood about nine feet high. One problem with this idea though is the levee running through the fort. That would required the approval of a few governmental agencies to be able to move the levee away from the fort. But I don’t think this is an obstacle since it was done when the Veteran’s Int’l Bridge was built. Another problem that I see is who would pay for the removal of the levee as well as the restoration of the fort? I know that Senator Eddie Lucio owns or is a part owner of the golf course that is present there and that the land is also on TSC land. It may just be possible to notify the Senator about this and maybe, with his help, get the approval for the removal of the levee and the funding to restore the old fort.

Once this has been completed, a museum should be built on site next to the fort and show the history and any artifacts that were found in the area; similar to the Palo Alto National Battlefield Park. I mean, if that park can be registered as a national battlefield park, why not the original Fort Brown? I don’t know but maybe the Senator may look down on this idea because he really likes this golf course and uses it regularly.

This may be a job for Preservation Brownsville and all those interested in rescuing the original Fort Brown. Just imagine the amount of tourism that could be created by just restoring the original Fort Brown with its canons and all and the view that would be created by standing at the top of the old fort. You would easily see into Matamoros and Brownsville. It would be a beautiful site, indeed. Then Brownsville can boast its history to for all to see, just like San Antonio.

The Kraigher House Restoration

2005-11-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

The Neutra designed Kraigher House sometime in the late '30s to 40's.

George Kraigher was a pilot for Pan American Airways back in the 1930s. When Mr. Kraigher moved to Brownsville, he had the famous modern architect, Richard Neutra (who was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, the father of Modern Architecture) design his house at 525 Paredes Line Rd, which at the time was at the outskirts of Brownsville city limits. What Mr. Neutra created was the first International Style house in Brownsville and, in fact, in the state of Texas. The house may have even have been the first International Style outside of California, where the style first appeared! The two-story house sported large wrap around windows instead of brick for walls. It is not large but feels large inside because of the very large windows that go from the floor to the ceiling. There were literally no covered walls, just glass. Also, contrary to the Spanish-Colonial Style being used in Brownsville in this era, this house did not have any kind of ornamentation that decorated most of the buildings and houses in Brownsville. This house was a radical departure from anything thing before in this area and in the US (other than California).

Today, it sits quietly in what can now be called the center part of Brownsville as it no longer lies outside the city limits as it once did. There is a Bigo’s Restaurant, several medical office buildings around it and is situated very close to the Expressway 77/83. In fact, it sits way into the lot that as you pass by on Paredes Line Rd (between Price Rd & Boca Chica Blvd) that you may mistake it for an abandoned, crumbling house with no glass windows but instead of glass, the house now is boarded up with plywood. The former, radically different, state of the art, modernist style is now gone replaced by a sagging, hole infested roof, which is now covered by a very large blue tarp, with no windows and the interior rotting from the lack maintenance from decades of abandonment.

But there is good news to report. Last night (11/15/05) I went to the City meeting where one of the issues was to agree on signing an agreement with UTB/TSC, which Mr. Goodman (Director of the Downtown District) states UTB/TSC “shall stabilize the structure as soon as reasonably practical” and also that the lease will not go into effect until January 2006. In any case, this is still very good news considering that UTB/TSC has beautifully restored the Alonso Building (c. 1890) and the Andres Cueto Building (1893). TSC has even renovated and restored the campus historical buildings such as the Gorgas Hall (1868), Champion Building (1868), the Regiment House (1868), the Cavalry Building (1868), and the Old Morgue (1868-72) to name a few. TSC has a good history of restoring historical homes and buildings. The Kraigher House should be in very good hands with TSC.

TSC has plans that include turning the Kraigher House into a home for a future architecture program. This is truly a win-win situation for the City, which did not have funds to renovate it, TSC, and the city of Brownsville, which gets to have one of the few rare examples of a Neutra designed house outside of California. I congratulate the City and TSC for this endeavor. This building is sure to attract many Neutra aficionados to our city as well as other tourists and locals. I can’t wait to see this house once it’s been completed. I’ve taken the before pictures. Now I’m just missing the after pictures. If all goes well, the stabilization of the structure should happen sometime next year.

TonyL

Brownsville’s Gain on McAllen and Harlingen

2005-11-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

North Brownsville in 2004. This area has experienced so much growth over the last five years that it has helped reverse the trend of people going to shop at Harlingen and McAllen. This picture doesn't even show the new growth that has happened in the last year!

Just ten years ago, people in Brownsville would travel the 20 minutes to Harlingen or even 55 minutes to McAllen to go shop, eat, and entertainment. Harlingen has the Valle Vista Mall that had a food court (something that was sorely lacking in either of the two malls in B’ville, Amigoland Mall & Sunrise Mall) and good brand name store to shop as well as retail restaurants such as The Olive Garden. McAllen, of course is the Mecca for shopping and eating as it has dozens of national stores and restaurants to choose from with more opening almost every few months and not to mention the recently renovated La Plaza Mall with about 120 stores. This mall is the largest of the RGV (Rio Grande Valley) and attracts visitors from Monterrey, Harlingen, Brownsville, and many more cities. It’s so busy, especially on weekends, that finding a parking space is like finding gold in a river; every body flocks to it and fights for that space.

McAllen and Harlingen were profiting from Brownsville because of the lack of choices to go shopping and eating. Brownsville did have two malls, Sunrise Mall and formally The Amigoland Mall (now closed and sold to UTB/TSC). But even with the two malls, there was not much in national brand name stores to attract customers that the two other cities were attracting. Other than the two malls, there was virtually nowhere else to go shopping.

Brownsville was literally crying for more choices in retail stores and restaurants. You could read it in the Letter to the Editor in the Brownsville Herald and people talking about it over conversations as people would go shopping. It was in the air: more stores and restaurants, please. How funny, because Brownsville is the largest city both in population and size. Ten years ago, the population was nearly 100,000 (1990 Census) but the city was not attracting the kind of retail stores and restaurants that people wanted; hence the exodus of people that would go shopping at Harlingen and McAllen. These two cities would even boast how they were siphoning customers away from Brownsville and into their cities. Brownsville was losing the battle and eventually the war on convincing people to buy in Brownsville. There were even campaigns to get people to buy in Brownsville but few listened and continue their weekly trek to Harlingen and McAllen.

This exodus to Harlingen and McAllen began to change in 1997 with the arrival of Target, Applebee’s, Michael’s, and Office Depot that was built in a new plaza on Boca Chica Blvd across from Wal-Mart. Boca Chica Blvd, prior to the new plaza, was the Mecca for eating as there were many fast-food restaurants to choose from. Remember Rally’s, Checkers, Wendy’s, Whataburger, and others? There were few restaurants but even fewer national restaurants on Boca Chica. But with the advent of Target and Applebee’s, people began to wonder if this was the beginning of a new era in new stores and places to eat.

By late 1997, there was something adrift in the air that people could sense. Something very big was coming and rumors began to spread about the impending doom of Amigoland Mall and a new, larger remodeled Sunrise Mall. The thought of losing one of our malls had mixed reaction. Some (such as I) dreaded the idea of losing a mall. I had always and will always prefer the Amigoland Mall to Sunrise Mall because for whatever reason, I had a more attachment to this mall. It could be that the Amigoland Mall opened at about the same time when I was born or that this mall was the first mall that I went to when I was a kid. I loved the architecture and the ambiance. Even when I began to drive I would rather travel the 15 to 20 minutes (or even longer if the train blocked the way) to make it to Amigoland Mall. To me, this was my place as well as to many others. This was also the place where I met my wife. I met her in 1999 working in two stores: ECT (I used to call it ecstasy!) and Her Place. I was working with my parents at The Nut House, just a few steps away from the girl who would become my wife. About one quarter of my life would be erased if this mall closed, I would think to myself. But to those of us who believed in this mall, we refused to acknowledge the rumors. No one in their right mind would let go of this mall. To others, this was necessary and even long past over due because the demographics, the train switch yard, and the long lines to the B&M Int’l Bridge made going to Amigoland Mall difficult, if not impossible. The era of Amigoland Mall had come to an end, critics would say. And end it did just a few short years later.

In late 1998, the rumors were confirmed, The Sunrise Mall would be renovated and expanded to twice its current size from roughly 500,000 sf to 1 million sf and would cost $50 million for the expansion and renovation. This was incredible news because nothing like this had happened since 1980 when the Sunrise Mall was built. Finally, more name brand stores with even a food court! Even better was that another shopping strip plaza would be built where K-Mart would relocate and would be called Sunrise Commons. The promises of new national retails and restaurants coming to town were salivating in peoples’ mouth as the anticipation and waiting was hard to bear. It was like waiting for that turkey on Thanksgiving Day waiting all day smelling the sweet smell of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and everything that came with turkey but having to wait until night to eat. But it would be all worth it at the end when you got that first taste of that turkey.

But the questioned lingered and a new one arose. First, would the Amigoland Mall close? And second, was Sunrise Mall taking a huge risk by investing $50M in a demographically poor and stagnant area where the household income was less than twice the national average? It was possible that we could end up losing both malls if this one became a failure. What national retail/restaurant would want to come to Brownsville? Could the market sustain them and make them profitable? These are questions that every company must ask itself before investing huge sums of money into any market. But people didn’t care, they wanted this mall to hurry with its expansion and fulfill their promises.

When the news of the Sunrise Mall expansion and renovation hit McAllen and Harlingen, it sent shivers down their spines. Could it be possible that the Brownsville mall beat McAllen’s mall by attracting more people to Brownsville? Could the trend of pulling people from Brownsville be reversed? Not by my chini, chin, chin!! Right away, McAllen began looking into expanding and renovating their mall to meet or even beat Brownsville’s mall renovation. Hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars were at stake. The McAllen mall would draw millions of visitors a year from Monterrey and other wealthy Mexican cities and the Rio Grande Valley. The La Plaza Mall was the most profitable mall south of San Antonio and most of the US. McAllen was no longer gloating. This was serious. McAllen could fall behind Brownsville if they didn’t do something. Soon after the Sunrise Mall announcement, the La Plaza Mall announced their intentions to renovate and even bring in a Foley’s store. It would be bigger than the Sunrise Mall expansion. In Harlingen, the city leaders were either asleep, ignorant, or shocked and in disbelief that they did not take any action, such as McAllen did. They figured that The Valle Vista Mall would still be attractive to Brownsville since it had always been that way. Even a few stores began to open. Harlingen remained silent and concentrated its efforts to bring more industry to the region and expand its medical facilities.

Not soon after the Sunrise Mall expansion, other shopping centers and hotels made their intentions of coming to Brownsville, such as Chili’s, Chucky Cheese, Johnny Carino’s, IHOP, Rudy’s BBQ, Marshall’s, Old Navy, Just for Feet, Best Buy, Toy ‘R’ Us, Hawthorn Suites Hotel, Marriott Hotel, and the Red Roof Inn to name just a few that would open or break ground a year later. More announcements were sure to come and did.

In the summer of 2000, the newly renovated and expanded mall began to open its doors to the thousands of people waiting for the grand opening. And boy was it a grand opening. In the first weekend it reopened, there was an estimated 100,000 people visiting the mall per day! Success was accomplished. Fears of failure were diminished with every passing day and months. More shopping centers announced their comings such as the Sunrise Palms and Sunrise Corner. Not far from the Sunrise Commons, on Alton Gloor (Tejon Rd) and Frontage Rd, Wal-Mart was planning to build their first super center along with a larger Sam’s Club. That area then began to attract hotels, restaurants, and other retail stores. Things finally began to look up for Brownsville, a sleepy little town turned into a city practically over night. The 2000 Census showed Brownsville at 140,000 people and growing exponentially and could even hit the 200,000 mark by 2010 (which is very possible as the unofficial population stands at about 160,000 in 2005)

Near the intersection of Paredes Line Rd and FM 802 (now called Ruben M. Torres Bldv), Mr. Hudson had a vision of creating the Paseo del la Resaca 1,000 acres community village that would have residential, retail, and restaurants. It will also include the Village Center that will become the power center that would have over 500,000 sf of retail, restaurants and even a hotel and Mr. Hudson likened it to the San Antonio River Center as the Village Center will be built along some of the seven mile long man made Resaca that will sport a linear park around the Resaca and have bridges and boat ramps. HEB constructed their store on the corner of Paredes Line Rd and FM 802 and the mini mall Paseo Plaza and other stores made their home there. By 2005, nearly 80 percent of the planned Paseo de la Resaca has been completed and only the Village Center, Paseo Real II, and another office subdivision remain to be completed. This whole area exploded with growth where once cattle and even deer roamed. Paseo de la Resaca resides only a couple of miles from the Sunrise Mall via FM 802 and the Future Morrison Rd (will connect Alton Gloor with FM 511 once complete; the section between McAllen Rd and Pablo Kisel has been completed).

Within the past year, newer shopping centers are coming as well as new hotels, office buildings and banks. Just to name a few: Morrison Crossing Power Center (Home Depot and Petco are already open and more to come next year), Las Tiendas Plaza (across from Morrison Crossing and will sport a Super Target, Goody's, Hobby Lobby, Dress Barn, Famous Footware, Fashion Bug, Dots, Office Depot, Petsmart, TJ Maxx, Payless, Radio Shack, Taco Cabana, Payless Shoe Store and a Bank), Courtyard Hotel (broke ground and is under construction), First National Bank (completed), 2 ½ -story Plaza Escondida Office building (complete), South Texas Rehab Hospital (complete), Bed Bath & Beyond, the 4-story Staybridge Hotel, Mens Warehouse, and Carnival Shoes (at Sunrise Palms and others under construction), and really so much more retail, restaurants, office buildings, banks, and others that are too numerous to mention. All this growth within a mile radius of each other. The growth is phenomenal. Just this year, Morrison Crossing developers announced four 4 to 8 story buildings housing a medical center, hotel, offices, and apartments at their location. There was no definitive date as to construction but it will surely come within the next few years. The idea is to have a continuous one mile radius consisting of retail, offices, banks, and more between FM 802 to Alton Gloor. Already, a Super 8 Motel opened a 3-story hotel at the intersection of Expressway 77/83 and FM 511! The Driscoll Children’s hospital also opened between Alton Gloor and FM 511 along the expressway. And if this is not enough for you, how about another 1500 acre planned community village similar to the Paseo de la Resaca on the corner of Expressway 77/83 and FM 100 (the highway to Los Fresnos and SPI)!! This place will include hotels, retail, restaurants, etc with residential housing to go along with it. That’s on the door steps of San Benito and Harlingen!! The city limit ends at the intersection of FM 100 and Expressway 77/83. Now that’s growth! But don’t think that all this growth is happening in the north part along the expressway. No sir, it’s happening all over town with another Super Wal-Mart that opened on the intersection of FM 48 (to SPI) and FM 802 and not to mention all the businesses that is popping up all over this place. Also, there are so many more coming too numerous to list. How ‘bout Hooters? Got it!

You see, Brownsville is no longer this sleepy little town where life would just pass us by. We can truly call ourselves a “city”. We entered the 21st century with a bang and don’t seem to abate any time soon. In fact, it may just get a whole lot bigger and better. Who needs Harlingen or even McAllen? I certainly haven’t been going there as often as I used to and that’s true for the tens of thousands of people who shop Brownsville first. There’s no need to if Brownsville has what McAllen has. I won’t even mention Harlingen as that town is a dud as it continues to lose retail tax base at an astonishing $300M a year (read it in the Brownsville Herald)!! Yeah, they (Harlingen) can boast better and higher paying jobs but where do people go once they left work? Shopping!! Now they come to Brownsville to do their shopping and eating. Ten years is all it took to reverse the downhill trend that Brownsville was headed.

McAllen may still be the power hub of the RGV but I can guarantee you that Brownsville is gaining ground and very fast. Now, Brownsville can boast that it’s attracting retail and businesses first before they open in McAllen. Before the trend was that a national retail store would open in McAllen, then Harlingen, and finally Brownsville (if they even dared to go this far south). Now, it’s beginning to look the other way. Harlingen even gets bypassed altogether now.

One thing is for sure, I don’t hear McAllen or Harlingen gloating or boasting their economies. Instead, I hear the inevitable sound of construction and boom of hammers hammering away building a better, more prosperous city we like to call: Brownsville; “on the border, by the sea.”

Dangerous Intersection

2005-11-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

The picture shows UTB (in center) and the University Blvd (taken 2004 and under construction at this time). Below, right shows the problem area with the intersection of Universtiy Blvd/East Ave. and the Expressway 77/83.

I have a comment about an intersection that is very dangerous and have seen many accidents happen regularly and that's not counting near misses (I have been one of those near misses).

This intersection is located at University Blvd and Expressway 77/83. Here are the obvious points that make this intersection dangerous:

1. The highway is raised a few feet above University Blvd and East Ave so that people on this Blvd cannot see the people on the other end. It's basically a large hill that no one can see over unless you have a tall vehicle. Cars go flying thru this intersection and can be dangerous to those turning left from either side.

2. The light at the end of Expressway 77/83. There should not be any lights on an expressway. People are driving 60 to 80 mph as well as semi trucks. When the light turns yellow (which lasts but a few seconds) cars/trucks are forced to either run the red light or stop very rapidly. This can be confusing to those new to the area. I’ve seen trucks fly thru the red light cuz they can stop on time, which can be dangerous if not fatal to those who are turning left from the side roads.

3. The turning lane on the Expressway 77/83 to East Ave. is a miserable one lane, which people are forced to wait in very long lines (seen them go up almost to the top of the overpass during heavy traffic) causing frustration and making people do things that they would otherwise not do, like using the lane that goes towards the Veteran’s Int’l Bridge and then turn left causing cars turning left on the correct lane to swerve to avoid those idiots. This can also be true for cars waiting on University Blvd to turn left onto the expressway.

4. Accidents can and have been very severe on this intersection. I’ve seen cars smashed to tiny bits because of the velocities that are involved. Talk about a car doing 60-70 mph hitting a car turning left doing 15-20 mph. Ouch!

Solution:

Create an overpass on University Blvd/East Ave. This will eliminate the hill in the middle of the expressway, lights at the end of the expressway, horrible accidents, long lines, and other issues caused by the present situation. This is a terrible situation and needs to be remedied soon. I don’t want to become a statistic as I sure others will feel the same. Let’s fix the problem before someone dies. Money should not be an issue when it comes to people’s lives.

TonyL

Keeping Downtown Clean

2005-11-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

Picture at left is Elizabeth St facing east.

For all its splendor and architectural beauty, downtown Brownsville has something working against it. Trash! It’s interesting how the city of Brownsville markets itself as a historic city with many dozens of registered historic buildings but when you actually walk the sidewalks, which by the way looks very nice with the colored brick, there is trash to be seen. Not in huge amounts but still present.

One site in particular that does have me worried is the water fountains located on the corner of Elizabeth St and International Blvd right in front of the Gateway International Bridge. The last few times that I walked that area I noticed diapers, leaves, and other trash accumulating inside these broken, waterless fountains. It was pretty much a dumping place for all kinds of trash. What kind of message is the city trying to convey? What if you went to say Chicago, Dallas, Houston, or any other city for that matter and saw trash, broken water fountains and/or benches? What would be the first thing that comes to your mind? Certainly a bad image if nothing else. A picture is worth a thousand words and is true for any city with a trashy, dirty downtown. Tourists and locals who go to downtown do not want to see diapers on the floor or trash flying about your head in gusty wind. Locals and especially tourists want to see a clean place to go shopping without the worry of stepping on something less desirable.

Fortunately, I e-mailed Mr. Camarillo (City Commissioner for District 4) about the situation with the broken water fountains and the trash dumped inside them. Mr. Camarillo returned my e-mail the next day and told me that he would call to have this situation remedied as well as fix some broken lights in the area. I’m glad to see that something action will be taken but there are other areas that need remedy.

This other area is the little plazita with benches that are located right in front of the Gateway International Bridge. People use this area to wait, rest, and play and are in bad shape and need of repair. The benches are drooping as well as the tables. There is trash and often time smells awful (last time it reeked of urine. Yuk!). Not to mention the ungodly amount of bird droppings caused by pigeons who use the trees above the benches. You’d be lucky to find a bench free of the sh!t. It’s just a depressing area and needs to be cleaned up and new benches and tables put in. But before doing that, the trees need to be trimmed and maybe adding roofs over the benches and tables to keep the bird crap off. New telephones are needed as most are not working. Is this the Historic Brownsville, Texas the city wants to portray? I hope not and certainly do hope that the city invests a little more in the downtown area. I mean, com’on, City Hall is but a few blocks from the Gateway Int’l Bridge. The city leaders must have at one point walked through this area. There is no excuse for this one. Tourists must leave with there noses closed and complain to their friends and neighbors about our city. When I visited Dallas a couple of months ago, it was clean and little if no trash flying about. The parks are clean and very beautifully kept. Why can’t Brownsville be clean like Dallas?

There is a lot of work to be done and hope that our city leaders read this and take action. And I do hope that our city leaders do not take this as a direct criticism to them but as a concern that has existed for many years. I’m tired of waiting for someone else to complain. Most times, people don’t complain about this and nothing gets done. So, if anyone of the City Commissioners and/or Mayor reads this, please take a walk around downtown and take note of the things that I mentioned. There maybe other problem areas that I may have not covered but doesn’t mean that these areas should not be looked into and remedied as well. If the City of Brownsville wants to market itself as a historic city with historic sites, don’t let the site of trash be the reason that people leave disappointed and with their noses closed. Image is everything in this world and the last thing our city needs is to have tourists picturing trash in their minds when they think of Brownsville; On the Border, By the Sea.

A Multistory Parking Garage Needed for Downtown

2005-10-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

At left is a picture of downtown Brownsville. The Gateway Int'l Bridge is seen at right with International Blvd and 14th Street leading up to the Int'l Bridge. Elizabeth St intersects at International Blvd and the Gateway Int'l Bridge.

Downtown Brownsville has been suffering for a long time but I don’t just mean economically and population wise. What’s not helping downtown is the lack of parking. Try finding a parking spot during the weekday or better yet, in the weekend and you’ll get the idea. It’s virtually impossible.

The idea of a parking garage in downtown is not new and has been a topic of discussion for many years. The furthest evidence that I have found of a parking garage being discussed by the city was back in April of 97 mentioned in the Brownsville Herald’s article: City/county clash on garage

A garage was necessary then and it is now. Eventhough downtown doesn't cater to the wealthy it does attract many people that are poor to middle class as well as tourists and Winter Texans. The downtown is home to a parking garage in what is now called Duffey Plaza next to the El Jardin hotel, which was purchased by the City from UTB/TSC. The City is doing some renovation work to the building but I do not think that the garage will be open to the public. It has about five levels and situated one block from the busy Elizabeth Street. Building a multilevel garage today is expensive. For 250 parking spaces, that would equate to roughly $5 Million bucks and that depends on the size and floors that it would require. That's no small change from a city that can use every penney that it can get.

In the Brownsville Herald's article above, it is mentioned that the county wanted to build the garage on the corner of 14th St and Elizabeth St. It was argured that this location would inhibit traffic flow and cause numerous problems because at that time, the Veterans International Bridge was not in existance and therefore, 85% of the traffic would go through the Gateway Interational Bridge located at the foot of International Blvd and Elizabeth St; just where the proposed garage was to be built. If anyone remembers back before the Veterans Bridge was built, traffic along International Blvd, 14th Street, and Elizabeth St were a NIGHTMARE! Traffic would be bumper-to-bumper on International Blvd all the way back to the Expressway 77/83; that's about 20 blocks! Add to the fact that International Blvd was also the main entrance to UTB/TSC and the main truck route to Mexico. Trucks would line up almost infinately along International Blvd blocking streets and creating frustration and rage. 14th Street was the same with vehicles. 14th Street would also connect to the Gateway Bridge. Now you begin to see the picture as to why the idea of a parking garage at in front of the Gateway Int'l Bridge didn't fly.

Fast forward to 2005 and this situation with traffic mentioned above is a thing of the past; if anyone remembers anymore. Today, the Veterans International Bridge, which is connected to the Expressway 77/83, is the only truck route relieving stress and traffic along International Blvd. 14th St was closed off between Elizabeth and Washington St so the only way to the Gateway Bridge are through Elizabeth St and Int'l Blvd. UTB/TSC now has a new main entrace with the construction of the new East Loop (oops, University Blvd) that connects Elizabeth St with the Expressway 77/83. Now, the proposed mulitlevel garage at the original site on the corner of 14th St and Elizabeth St is now possible.

The city should seriously consider building a garage for downtown since parking the one of the most important factors in attracting people to downtown. It is one of the most common complaints people had with going ot downtown, according to a report by the Hunter Interests, an Annapolis, Md. firm that did a survey of revitalizing downtown back in 2001. Without adequate parking, downtown will continue to suffer from frustrated customers to downtown. Although a garage is not the cure all for the downtown's ills, it is a step in the right direction to entice more people to shop there.

At this point in time, I don't believe that anyone at City Hall or the county have been thinking about a parking garage. It's been a long time since that last discussion of one but there yet lies hope with the construction of the new Multimodal Terminal (mentioned in this blog). The terminal has recieved funding from the state but unfotunately, the funding does not include a garage. With any luck, the city could still consider building a garage at some future day.

Ultimately, downtown will require a garage wether it's built tomorrow or in the future. One can not envision a downtown with no garage to support it. Just look at cities such as San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, and yes, even McAllen. The bigger a city grows, the more reason to build a garage. There's far more space going up than sideways and as more land gets taken up by buildings, less land will be available for parking. With any luck, someone at City Hall will read this article and bring this idea up for discussion.

Until then, people will continue circling downtown like sopilotes (vultures) looking for prey, in this case, parking.

TonyL

UTB/TSC’s Explosive Growth

2005-10-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

Picture at left is the UTB/TSC campus as of 2004. University Blvd is under construction as well as the Business & Education Complex next to University Blvd.

When I first started coming to UTB/TSC (University of Texas @ Brownsville/Texas Southmost College) in 1993, the North and South Building had just been built a couple of years before and had been the first major buildings to be built in twenty years. For those of you who have been to UTB/TSC (TSC before the 1990s) in the early 1990’s, the furthest building on campus from International Blvd was the Cavalry Building and the Maintenance Building, where my father was the Director of the Campus Police, Grounds crew, and Maintenance. I remember that it would take about five minutes to walk from the Tandy Building (along side International Blvd) to the Cavalry Building. I thought to myself that in about ten years, that UTB would grow a little more but never expected to see it grow to the size it is today.

Back in 1993, if I remember correctly, UTB was less than 100 acres. Today, 2005, UTB has grown to over 325 acres and growing at a phenomenal rate. I have personally seen the construction of six large buildings to accommodate the growth of this university. In 1997, the Science, Engineering, and Technology Building (SET-B) was built and cost roughly $27M. It was the largest building at the time and was larger that the North and South Buildings put together. I was fortunate enough to be one of the first students to use the new building as I was in the Electrical Technology program at the time. Then the Life and Health Science (LHS) Building (2002), the Regional Academic Health Center (RACH) and the Student Union were built around the same year. A larger bookstore was also built around 2001 because it had outgrown the old one that was located inside the North Hall. I remember that little store and had wondered for many years when a new would be built. The LHS, RACH, and Student Union pushed the boundaries of UTB’s outer limits as the old compress buildings that were located at the far end of campus were torn down and these new buildings were built in their place. A whole new view was created as the new LHS and Student Union were built along the hidden and forgotten Lozano Banco Resaca. For many decades, this Resaca was hidden behind a thick brush and trees that almost made it look like a jungle. With the clearing of the trees and brushes, UTB finally had another Resaca to look at, instead of the familiar “horseshoe” shaped Resaca where most builds are situated alongside it.

Sometime in the early part of the new century, UTB bought the Smith Property (behind the Lozano Banco Resaca), The Jacob Brown Auditorium, The Alonso Building (a historical building built in the 1890s), the Cueto Building (also built around the late 1890s), The Fort Brown and Ramada Hotel (located on the peninsula), which are being turned into student housing, and finally, UTB bought the largest single building that Brownsville had known since it was constructed in the 1974, The Amingoland Mall, which had finally given up as a mall in 2003. The mall’s failure was mostly due to the population growth to the north and the horrendous rail road crossing and the rail road switch yard behind Amigoland Mall that would snarl traffic at one of the only two entrances and exits from the mall. Since the switch yard was behind the mall, this would cause the cars to stop at the RR crossing for hours at a time causing frustration, rage, and economic loss to the mall as many people would just turn around and go to Sunrise Mall. If this wasn’t bad enough, traffic on the other side of the entrance would be blocked by traffic headed into and out of the B&M International Bridge causing more headaches and rage. Basically, both sides of the entrance to the mall were just nearly impossible at times to get to the mall. Eventually, the mall lost so much business to these two problems and to the $50M renovation to Sunrise Mall that nearly doubled its size that it just folded in early 2003. UTB saw a huge opportunity with the mall and decided to buy it soon afterward. Now, UTB could boast two campuses. The Amigoland Mall was renamed to ITEC (I still don’t know what it stands for and neither does anyone else in Brownsville!).

By the summer of 2005, saw yet another large complex built on alongside the new East Loop (University Blvd as it is now called) that connects Elizabeth Street in downtown with the Expressway 77/83 and East Ave in Southmost. The new loop was constructed on the opposite end of the Lozano Banco Resaca as well as the new Business and Education Complex (as seen in the picture above). The complex opened just in time for the Fall 2005 semester and a 300 foot pedestrian bridge was built over the Lozano Banco Resaca to connect Business and Education Complex (BEDC) with the rest of the campus near the Student Union and the LHS building. The building cost roughly $28M and rivals in size of the LHS building. Please visit UTB’s Orange & White Newsletter for more on the new EDBC.

Looking ahead, UTB/TSC is not finished growing. On the contrary, UTB/TSC will probably nearly double in size within the next four to five years! With the passing of the $68M bond this year, UTB is now in the planning stages of using this bond to build a new library and renovate and expand the old one, a performing arts and music building, (Jacob Brown will be the new Arts and Music building and be renovated and expanded), more class room buildings, a new research center, a new childhood center, and renovate the ITEC. A new Recreation and Wellness Center (REC) that the students passed last year will also be built alongside with a new Kinesiology building. The REC is the first of the newest buildings to be built at the end of 2006. The others will follow soon after, around the fall of 2007 or 2008. And I don’t think that the growth will stop there as UTB is aggressively pursuing more funding from the state to build yet more buildings to accommodate the explosive population growth of UTB. When I started college here at UTB, the student population was roughly 6,000. Today, that number has grown to over 12,000 students and growing. At this rate, UTB should reach about 20,000 students by 2015 or so. UTB is slowly but steadily buying up individual condos and apartments located at the Fort Brown Villa and other condos on the peninsula that one day, the peninsula will be dedicated to student housing, retail, and restaurants for the students. Phew, got tired just writing that sentence. Lastly, UTB is also very slowly buying up the lots and houses that are between UTB and the Expressway 77/83. That’s about 10 blocks worth of homes!!

I estimate that by 2025, UTB will have grown to about 500 acres, a student population of 25,000 and 28,000 with staff and faculty, encompass all of the Rio Grande River along the levee to the Veteran’s Int’l Bridge to the Expressway 77/83 and nearly along International Blvd, except for the retail and restaurants directly in front of Int’l Blvd. That’s about 1,500 acres or more!! What after 2025? Who knows? Only the administrators at UTB know that. A new master plan would have to be devised in about ten years just to plan for the future beyond 2025. Until then, please see the UTB 2020 Master Plan. It’s very interesting and shows the development of UTB to 2020.

Now, if only UTB/TSC could think of building up instead of sideways. Two and three story buildings that takes up too much land and cause the destruction of wildlife habitat. Maybe they will realize this and begin building taller buildings. Not only will the campus look beautifuland be seen from far away, but help protect the deminishing wildlife corridor along the river. What do you say UTB?

The El Jardin Hotel Key to Revitalizing Downtown

2005-09-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

After a five year absence, you come back to Brownsville and decide to go to downtown to check out what’s new. As you approach downtown from the 77/83 Expressway, you begin to notice something strange, thinking that you vision is somewhat blurry. You rub your eyes and take a look at downtown again but it’s still there. Or are you seeing double? As you get closer to downtown, you then realize that you’re not seeing things but instead, two El Jardin Hotels! One behind the other!

You arrive at downtown and immediately head over to the hotel on 12th St. When you reach Levee St, you see a site that downtown had been waiting see for a long time; the El Jardin Hotel renovated and as a plus, an exact twin right behind it. The Capitol Theater is finally under going renovations as had been proposed many years before. New businesses are sprouting up to reap in the profits of the 510 people living in the hotel. But wait a minute, who would live in a hotel? Well, by this time, it’s not a hotel but student housing for UTB/TSC! Students are walking to the campus and to ITEC (former Amigoland Mall and now part of UTB) via sidewalks that mirror the paseo on campus. The Village at El Jardin (as it could theoretically be called) is only 2 ½ blocks from campus and only six blocks from ITEC.

As you drive around the El Jardin and head on to Elizabeth St, you begin to see the extent of the revitalization that had happened since the El Jardin was renovated. HEB tore down the old building and rebuilt it into a much larger facility to handle the influx of not just the Mexican Nationals but the students living just blocks away. There’s also a Star Bucks, Hard Rock Café, The Gap, and other businesses that have begun to take advantage of the influx of students. Other historical buildings that have several floors or more are beginning to renovate the upper floors to accommodate the still growing university student population. By now, UTB has grown to 15,000 students and 17,000 including staff and faculty. The campus is now twice the size it was just five years back with new buildings sprouting along University Blvd. Tourism has increased as the majority of the students are out-of-town and foreign students living at the El Jardin and at the Village at Fort Brown at UTB. The Capitol Theater has now begun its renovation into a major performing arts theater that encompasses most of the block. Shock has now set into reality and you begin to think to yourself, how did all this happen in just five years? Vision. Someone saw an opportunity to turn the El Jardin into student housing and took a risk and paid off.

Of course, the above is just a taste of what could happen if the El Jardin Hotel is renovated. At this point in time, the El Jardin could only be profitable as student housing because of the growing university. It would not make money as apartments, or condos, or even as a hotel. The population is not there nor is the infrastructure such as a major grocery store, national retail stores, etc that people would want close to their home as opposed to students who would have no choice but the Village at Fort Brown, The El Jardin, or some far away apartment that would require you to drive a long distance to get to school.

Why is the El Jardin Hotel the key to revitalizing downtown? As I mentioned in my article below, it’s the chicken or the egg. What comes first, people or businesses. In my opinion, people must come first, but more specifically, students. As mentioned earlier, students need food, grocery stores, night clubs, hang out places, clothes, and so on. Downtown currently has all these things. Attracting people who live in the north part of Brownsville will not be easy because of the explosion of stores, restaurants, major retail stores, etc. Students are easier to attract because of their limited choices for housing, especially those that are not from here and would rather stay close to the university for security and ease of getting there. Students that are not from here generally have more money to spend with. If the university is going to hit 20,000 by 2015 or so, then the problem becomes with housing many of these students. Currently, there are about 250 rooms available at the UTB dorms. I don’t think that UTB will have the funding to build new dorms or be able to buy up all the condos in the peninsula and renovate existing structures in time to house these students. Students needing housing will find it elsewhere. This is why turning the El Jardin into dorms is of the utmost importance.

There was a company that had intentions of buying the El Jardin Hotel. They were going to renovate the existing structure and build an exact twin behind it with a beautiful plaza in the middle, a food court, and a first floor retail section. The combined space would be able to handle 510 students and staff! Five hundred students living in the downtown district ready to spend and help downtown flourish within a short few years. It was a magnificent report and drawings of the proposed student housing but unfortunately, UTB turned it down for whatever reason they may have had a few years ago. The company then decided to not buy the hotel and nothing came of it. Not the hundreds of students walking the streets of downtown, shopping, eating, or hanging out. No major retail stores to handle the influx of students or other owners turning their buildings into dorms. Just the same old downtown with the same people who are only attracted to the dollar stores and second hand stores.

Nothing will change until the El Jardin rises up from its grave. The El Jardin is the key and only hope of ever seeing downtown regaining its former glory. Till then, we can dream just like my dream at the beginning of this article.

Revitalizing Downtown Brownsville

2005-09-21T13:52:00.000-07:00

Once a vibrant and growing part of our city has now fallen into despair as national stores, hotels, restaurants and people moved out into the western and northern section of the city over the last four decades. As new highways and boulevards were built, many people and businesses soon followed leaving downtown behind for good.

Many historical buildings and homes were forgotten, abandoned, demolished, or destroyed by nature in one way or another. Where once people lived high above the ground to beautiful vistas of Brownsville and Matamoros and excellent views of Military and Charro Days Parade have now been reduced to living miles away in one or two story homes or apartments not even exceeding three stories and far away from the grandeur and excitement of the yearly Charro Days Parade. Hotels no longer built high enough to see Brownsville in its most gorgeous view; from above. Hotels such as the El Jardin and the Colonial (then called Travelers Hotel) commanded views and style not seen in any other part of the country. Banks rose proudly to signify their presence like the six story First National Bank (now Wells Fargo, 1950s), the five story State National Bank (Payless Shoe Store now occupies the first floor, while the rest remain empty, 1925), and the four story Merchant’s Bank (top floors empty and an intimate apparel store below, 1912). Then there was the four story Federal Courthouse that prominently rose above most buildings to signify law and order while the three story Cameron County Courthouse (now known as the Dancy Building) stood a few blocks away. Theaters abounded all over downtown such as the Majestic Theater, Queens Theater, Dittman Theater, The Capitol Theater, Victoria Theater, and many more. Far more theaters than any in existence today.

Not only was downtown active and energetic but also has the most styles of architecture found in the Rio Grande Valley and maybe even equal to San Antonio’s equally impressive and varied styles. Architectural styles abound(ed) in the downtown area with styles such as: New Orleans style (the Gem Building and the Bollack Building), Border Brick (San Roman Building), Gothic (The Immaculate Cathedral and the South Western Bell Building), Renaissance (now City Hall), Spanish Colonial (El Jardin and the Southern Pacific RR Depot now a museum), Neo-Gothic (Sacred Heart Church), Victorian (Vivier Cromack Building), Art Deco (The Majestic Theater), International Style (now the Wells Fargo Bank), Mission Style (Market Square and the Kraigher House) and many more. Architects would come and try and outdo the others’ style and architecture. All this incredible architecture died as a result of modernism and company retained architects and Brownsville lost its booming architecture beginning in the 1950s as well as the activity that came with all the above mentioned.

Fast forward to 2005. Downtown is still very active but it no longer is the center of attention. Most people who shop there are from Matamoros and/or low income, which, in turn, attracts many second-hand stores, dollar stores, and other small businesses. Downtown no longer attracts major national stores such as JC Penny’s (used to be in downtown until the 1974), Dillard’s, Beal’s (also used to be in downtown), or other national stores. You won’t find a Hard Rock Café, or Hooters, or any other national restaurant. In fact, the only national store still located in downtown is Payless Shoe Store and only because it caters to lower income shoppers. Although there are people of middle and higher income in the downtown area, there is not enough to support national retailers, restaurants, or hotels. Downtown is effectively dead in this aspect. The only time that downtown attracts people from the north part of the city are when events such as the Charro Days Parade at the end of February, Sombrero Fest, or the Latin Jazz Festival come around once a year. Charro Days attracts upwards of up to 50,000 but generally do not buy at the stores more than just watch the event and go home only to return a year later for the return of Charro Days. Sombrero Fest comes around at about the same time as Charro Days but is located at Washington Park, which is several blocks away form downtown. The Latin Jazz Festival is held every October but does not attract as large a crowd as Charro Days or Sombrero Fest. It has been growing every year but you won’t see the amount of people as the other events. So then, what’s needed to bring back downtown back to life again? It’s the chicken or the egg thing. Which comes first? The chicken or the egg, or in this case, the people or the businesses?

Here’s the problem with revitalizing downtown. When a major business, national store/restaurant, or hotel wants to build, they look into the cities demographics, which include income levels and amount of traffic going through.

Businesses are going to build in a place where the income level is at or near poverty level. A major business is going to build only if there is 1) middle to high income, 2) high traffic count 3) a large population base within that area and only if it meets criteria number 1, 4) an attractive place to build such as a major highway and/or an area undergoing a commercial boom like north Brownsville.

People, on the other hand, want to live in an area that is similar to the above mentioned. So how do you get people and businesses back into a dying section of the city? Do you bring the people first or the businesses since both want essentially the same reasons to return. After a few years of going over it in my head, I finally came to the conclusion that it’s got to be the people, not the businesses. Why? Because is would be easier to attract people to downtown than businesses. Below is an idea of how to attract people back into downtown, which businesses would naturally follow.

I. Renovate the upper floors of the mid rise buildings in downtown. The Bollack Building (3-story building with New Orleans Style on Elizabeth St) is a shinning example of this idea. The owner has spent considerable amount of money to renovate the exterior and interior for lofts. Each floor is about 5,000 square feet! You can either divide it into two 2,500 sf or as one 5,000 sf condo. Other downtown buildings have been renovated and converted to apartments and homes but there are still many other buildings that could be converted into apartments and condos. Renovating a building in such a way that it looks elegant and comfortable inside that would attract wealthier people who love to live in restores historical buildings, and there are many like that. Other buildings that have several uppers floors are the Merchant’s Bank, State National Bank, The El Jardin Hotel, and many other buildings.

II. Renovate the historical homes in and around downtown. There are many historical homes that have been renovated and wealthier people are living there but there are still numerous other homes that do need to be renovated. The homes that are not historical and are in dire straights could be demolished and new ones built in the style of the neighborhood. In fact, BHA (Brownsville Housing Authority) has begun to do just that. BHA is in the process of buying up empty lots and non historical buildings and is going to build beautiful homes in the style of the historic neighborhood. Although BHA deals with low to middle income families, building new attractive homes helps attract other developers to do the same. The more people that more into an area, the more attractive it is to developers to build there. Developers may then concentrate on developing subdivisions for middle and higher income people just like is happening at the Paseo de la Resaca between FM 802 and Paredes Line Rd.

III. Student Housing. As UTB/TSC grows, so does the demand for housing. One great possibility for attracting students to the downtown is the use of the El Jardin Hotel as dorms. There were plans from a company that wanted to buy the El Jardin, renovate the existing structure and build a twin El Jardin behind it for a total capacity of 510 students! Talk about major attraction of people to the downtown area. Students would then go out to buy groceries, which the HEB would then need to tear down the old one in downtown and rebuild a larger one to accommodate the students. Students also need places to eat, buy clothes, etc. I truly believe that if downtown is to return to life, this is it. The El Jardin Hotel is the key to revitalizing downtown in such a way that no other method would prove better and faster than bringing student housing to downtown. This idea is an article onto itself that I will write about and post very soon! Many out-of-town students and foreign students bring more money to our area than any other way. They need all the above mentioned and to live in an attractive place. I’ve seen the plans and it blew me away. Too bad that UTB turned down this idea. It would have been the beginning of a Renaissance for the future of downtown. Stay tuned for this article!!

Once the downtown has been repopulated with people of middle to high income levels, then, businesses will surely follow. So the chicken and the egg dilemma has been answered. Now, who will step up to the plate and begin the revitalization of downtown Brownsville?

Historic Battlefield Hike and Bike Trail

2005-09-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

At left is the Federal Courthouse where the soon to come Linear Park will be located in front of the courthouse. The Historic Battlefield Hike & Bike Trail would begin here and follow the old rail road tracks almost exactly north to the Palo Alto National Battlefield Park.

In the near future near future, Brownsville will have the longest hike and bike trail in South Texas and maybe even San Antonio. Once it is completed and stretched linearly, I calculated about 9.1 miles long but doesn't include the section of the trail that UTB/TSC is going to build (called College Park) and the Paseo de la Resaca trail on the intersection of Paredes Line Rd that is already built that will eventually connect to the Brownsville hike & bike trail! Putting these together would equal to about 17 miles of hike and bike trail stretching from the Lincoln Park near UTB/TSC to the Palo Alto Historic National Battlefield Park near Los Fresnos.

Phew, that's on massive trail for the happy joggers and bikers around town and another way for Brownsville residents to get their exercise. Let's start from the beginning of the Historic Battlefield Hike & Bike Trail.

Historic Battlefield Hike & Bike Trail

This trail will begin at the footsteps of the Federal Courthouse between 6th & 7th St as pictured above. The future Linear Park will be at this location. From here, the trail goe east along the old railroad tracks (now removed) under the 77/83 Expressway and then turn left along the city Buena Vida Cemetary. It keeps going straight north paralleling the Paredes Line Rd along the old tracks crossing several major roads and boulevards.

The first crossing is the Boca Chica Blvd. This is a seven lane (center lane included) blvd and would be the most dangerous to cross. After this crossing is the Price Rd crossing, which is five lanes across. Then comes FM 802 or Ruben M. Torres Blvd (don't care for the name of the latter!) that is also five lanes across. From here is a long stretch next to the Brownsville Country Club and the Brownsville Event Center all the way to Alton Gloor (former Tejon Rd) Blvd, which is also five lanes across. The final strecth of the trail crosses on more major raod called FM 511. The Palo ALto Battlefield Park is located on the corner of FM 511 and Paredes Line Rd (FM 1847). The trail would have to cross over FM 1847 and your there; 9.1 miles of hike and bike just using the Historic Battlefield Hike & Bike Trail!

College Park Hike & Bike Trail

The University of Texas @ Brownsville/Texas Southmost College (UTB/TSC) will be constructing its own hike and bike trail called College Park. Basically, the trail will wind around the existing resacas (ox bow lake to you northerners!) with sidewalks. I believe that the trail will go around the famouse "horseshoe" shaped resaca as well as the Lozano Banco Resaca (behing the new Education & Business Complex). The Lozano Banco Resaca already has a 300 foot bridge that connects the Business & Education Complex with the rest of the university. The new Fall 2005 Issue of the university's newspaper Orange and White (the new online issue isn't up yet) shows the beautifull bridge with students crossing it. I've been on it many times and just love the view of the resaca, the many species of birds, turtles, fish, and the campus. See the view of the UTB/TSC for better reference. Then from here, the College Park trail would connect with the Lincoln Park located next to the levee and the Los Tomates Int'l Bridge. It also has its own hike & bike trail but only about 0.25 or 1/4 mile long. College Park would eventually connect with the Historic Battlefield Hike & Bike Trail through downtown but I'm not exactly sure which streets would be used for the connection.

Paseo de la Resaca Park Hike & Bike Trail

And finally, the last segment of the hike and bike trail is the Paseo de la Resaca Hike and Bike Trail. This trail is very nice because of its many bridges over man-made resacas that when stretched, would cover about seven miles of trail. The resacas have a "finger like" shape to them because you have one main resaca and "fingers" sprouting from the main one. See the drawing of the Paseo de la Resaca to get an idea of what I'm talking about: Paseo de la Resaca. The trail is part of the larger picture of the Paseo de la Resaca. Bewteen the corner of Paredes Line Rd (FM 1847) and FM 802 and the corner of Hudson Blvd and FM 802 (see above link for map) will be the featured Village Center. The Village Center is a Power Center that will have retail, restaurants, and a 150 room hotel some of which will line the resaca for a beautiful vista. Click here to see a preliminary design of the Village Center. Once it is completed within the next five years or so, the view from the trail as your jogging in this area will be magnificent. Mr. Hudson (Managing Director of the Paseo de la Resaca) envisions a San Antonio style river walk once completed. Already there is a Bank of America and a Wendys located there and hopefully more will come in the near future.

Trails, Trails Everywhere!

Once all the trails mentioned above have been completed, Brownsville residents will definately benefit and make our city even more beautiful and pedestrian friendly. Those living within a quarter mile from these trails can use it to go to work, school, shopping, or just travel from one side of the city to the other, either by walking, jogging, or bicylce! Brownsville was definately due for something like this. Ever tried walking in the north part of Brownsville? I have and it sucks!! These trails will make it easier and safer to traverse Brownsville in a healthy way.

Now, if only the city's Historic Battlefield Hike and Bike trail could add bridges to go over the dangerous boulevards and roads as mentioned earlier. Welcome Brownsville to the healthier 21st Century!

TonyL

The MultiModal Terminal Facility

2005-09-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Note: The picture at left is not the current design of the MultiModal Terminal. A newer preliminary design has come out and can be viewed on the BUS newsletter. Below is the link to the newsletter.

Brownsville is close to building a one stop bus station called the MultiModal Terminal Facilty within the next year or so. This new terminal will be built between E. Jefferson St and E. Adams St and as far back as 13th St. Click here to see the BUS Newsletter that shows the close approximation of the design of the new terminal: MultiModal Terminal.

This terminal is will house all the bus companies such as Greyhound, Adame, Expresso, etc and the city busses into one terminal, hence the term MultiModal Terminal Facilty. I believe that BUS (Brownsville Urban System) has received funding for their project just recently so hopefully construction can begin within the next year or two.

This new terminal will hopefully accomplish the following:

1. Have one central location for all bus companies instead of sprouting all over downtown.

2. Make transportation easier for UTB students as the terminal would be right across the campus.

3. Revitalize the downtown area with new retail and restaurants.

4. Motivate owners of historic buildings and homes to renovate their properties.

5. Any other spinoff that may result in the revitalization of downtown.

The preliminary design is very nice and incorporates styling of its surrounding, most noticably of Spanish-Colonial that also includes a dome. The design features a two story building with a dome and two retail buildings. A multistory garage was in the design but unfortunately, the funding does not provide for a garage. The city would have to pay for its construction. A garage is definately needed in downtown that can be used for the terminal and the dowtown area. Parking is dreadful most of the time and needs to be remedied (another good topic for this blog). I do hope the city can find money to build it or find funding elsewhere.

This new terminal is a win-win situation for dowtown and Brownsville as a whole. Students would have better access to campus and therefore provide incentive to ride the bus rather than bring their car, which in turn, reduce gas consumption, reduce pollution, increase public transportation, and have other bus options available to the general public. The North Transfer Station is currently under construction on FM 802 across from HEB and Paseo Plaza. This station will help reach more riders from the north part of town and more routes will undoubtedly be added.

Can't wait to see it built!

TonyL

MAGLEV Connecting the RGV & San Antonio

2005-08-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

A typical day living in Brownsville:

I wake up at 5:30am ready to go to work, which starts at 8:00am. By 6:30am I'm ready and off I go. But work isn't in Brownsville, but in San Antonio! How's that possible? It takes roughly four hours by car to get there and a plane ride every day would be cost prohibitive. A regular rail line wouldn't cut it either because the faster rail line in the U.S is the Amtrack Acelera at 150 mph tops. So how do I get to San Antone in a mere 55 minutes?

I'm glad you asked! Welcome to the 21st century where trains lo longer have to run on a track but instead on a cushion of air! This is not theory or fantasy. It exists today and China already has one connected from the airport to downtown. This kind of train is called a MAGLEV Train (Magnetically Levitated Train). How does it work? Well, it's a little technically invloved but here's the untechnical version of how it works (if there is such a thing as untechnical):

Before explaining the workings of a Maglev, I had built one very similar to it at UTB for my Senior Design class in the Electrical Engineering Technology degree. So I know for a fact that it exists and is already in use. In fact, the technology has been around for about forty years! The train I based my project on is the Transrapid 007 built by, of course, the Transrapid Company located in Germany. Here's the company's version of how their system works:

The Levitation System

Electronically controlled support magnets located on both sides along the entire length of the vehicle pull the vehicle up to the ferromagnetic stator packs mounted to the underside of the guideway.
Guidance magnets located on both sides along the entire length of the vehicle keep the vehicle laterally on the track. Electronic systems guarantee that the clearance remains constant (nominally 10 mm). To hover, the Transrapid requires less power than its air conditioning equipment. The levitation system is supplied from on-board batteries and thus independent of the propulsion system. The vehicle is capable of hovering up to one hour without external energy. While travelling, the on-board batteries are recharged by linear generators integrated into the support magnets.
Quicktime-Movie levitation System (42 KByte)
Flash-Film levitation System (40 KByte)

Propulsion System

The synchronous longstator linear motor of the Transrapid maglev system is used both for propulsion and braking. It is functioning like a rotating electric motor whose stator is cut open and stretched along under the guideway. Inside the motor windings, alternating current is generating a magnetic traveling field which moves the vehicle without contact. The support magnets in the vehicle function as the excitation portion (rotor). The speed can be continuously regulated by varying the frequency of the alternating current. If the direction of the traveling field is reversed, the motor becomes a generator which brakes the vehicle without any contact. The braking energy can be re-used and fed back into the electrical network.
Propulsion System Animation:
Real-Video Movie (80 KByte)

The GuidewayThe Transrapid hovers over a double track guideway. It can be mounted either at-grade or elevated on slim columns and consists of individual steel or concrete beams up to 62 m in length.
The Transrapid maglev system changes tracks using steel bendable switches. They consist of continuous steel box beams with length between 78 m and 148 m (256 ft - 486 ft) which are elastically bent by means of electromagnetic setting drives and securely locked in their end positions.
In the straight position, the vehicle can cross the switch without speed restrictions, in the turnout position, the speed is limited to 200 km/h (125 mph) (high speed switch) or 100 km/h (62 mph) (low speed switch).

The Vehicles

Transrapid vehicles comprise a minimum of two sections, each with approx. 90 seats on average. According to application and traffic volume, trains may be composed of up to ten sections (two end and eight middle sections).
However, the Transrapid is suitable for transporting goods as well. For high-speed cargo transport, special cargo sections can be combined with passenger sections or assembled to form dedicated cargo trains (payload up to 15 tons per section). As the propulsion system is in the guideway, neither the length of the vehicle nor the payload affect the acceleration power.

The Operation Control System

The operation control system controls the operation and guarantees the safety of the Transrapid system. It safeguards vehicle movements, the position of the switches, and all other safety and operational functions. Vehicles location on the track is accomplished using an on-board system which detects digitally encoded location flags on the guideway. A radio transmission system is used for communication between the central control center and the vehicles.

A MAGLEV Bewteen the RGV and San Antonio

Before I could get to the story I want to tell, you all had to know the basics about the how this Maglev works. Unfortunately, this Blog only allows one picture. To see the actual page from where I got the above info and understand it better with pictures, please go here: http://www.transrapid.de/en/information/technik_txt.html

Now, to the story. A Maglev is capable og traveling up to 350 mph and achieving higher speeds every few years. Speed is the key here if it is to compete with the airliners. My idea then is to connect Brownsville to Harlingen and then on to McAllen. Eventually, a line would connect Harlingen with San Antonio either via US Hwy 77 or through a more direct route.

The Route

The beauty of this Maglev is that it can be built as a monorail, where the train (not an accurate description of a floating train but it will suffice for now) would litterally be built above ground towering over most structures, say three stories so as to reduce the amount of space required on ground. Very similar to the picture I posted above. The Magalev would begin at the new Multi Modal Terminal (A good topic for next time) that will be built in downtown Brownsville right across the Tandy building at UTB along International Blvd. Since the terminal will be servicing all bus companies in one building, why not the Maglev? It's close to the university where thousands call home for most of the day and even students from SA can come to take classes and return home very conviniently and vice versa! From here the track will rise above most buildings in downtown and then head towards the Expressway 77/83 via the 6th and 7th St. then follow the expressway north to Harlingen. Before leaving Brownsville, it would make one more stop near the Sunrise Mall.

A transfer station would have to be built there. This way, the train can pick up or drop of people and then head towards Harlingen's dowtown or very near it. The maglev would only reach 200 mph between cities because it would require some amount of time to slow down but definately faster than a car at legal speeds! Basically, it would take roughly 12 1/2 minutes to get there along the expressway. Another transfer station would then need to be build right off the expressway, say near the Harlingen Valle Vista Mall. At this point, you would have two choices, go north to SA or west to McAllen. Let's just say we are going to McAllen this time. From Harlingen, the Maglev would not stop until it reached McAllen; another roughly 35 miles. At this point, the train would reach speeds of up to 250 mph in just about a few miles and arrive at McAllen's downtown's Multi Modal Bus station just as in Brownsville. The train would arrive in about 14 minutes. It's conviniently located between the Mall and the downtown area. The transfer time would be about eight minutes so the total time required to arrive to McAllen from Brownsville would be about 30 minutes. A full half hour or more off versus traveling by car!! The time savings would even be moe if you factor in vehicle traffic, clogs, and crashes that cause, at times, to close the entire expressway and getting rerouted. The upper valley really suffers a lot of traffic jams and road rage. So why bother driving when you can "fly" very conveniently to your destination? Even take a bkie with you to reach your final destination.

Suppose now that you are headed to work in SA. The first leg of the trip would be the same. 12 1/2 min to Harlingen. From there, you take the route to SA. There would be no stops in between Harlingen and SA. The maglev would travel up to 300 mph along Highway 77 and then via I-37 to SA. Total time would be about 55 minutes! The ride is very smooth as the train does not touch the guideway at all. The scenery would be fantastic and no more road rage. You sit back and enjoy the scenery. Get to SA, go to work, and finally come back home. No hassels at an airport, no losing luggage, delays, taking off you shoes, etc, etc.

With a maglev system in place that connects the RGV and with SA (maybe even all the way to Dallas) Texas could litterally be traversed in just a few hours without ever leaving the ground!! People could go to work in far off cities and come back home in time for dinner. Now that's the future!! All this is possible with the Maglev. Transportation in the 21st century just got a little faster.

Join Preservation Brownsville!

2005-08-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gotten upset or even angry when drivin in downtown B'ville and seeing many of our hisotric structures slowly crumbling away? Ever wondered what you could do to rescue these buildings? Well, here's your chance. Join forces with those who have the exact same questions and feelings about the state of our downtown. Then, join Preservation Brownsville!!

Preservation Brownsville is an organization that advocates the protection of historic structures within the downtown area.

Eventhough many historic structures have been demolished or destroyed, Brownsville still has many more historic structures. I would even venture to say over 100 historic homes and commercial buildings still exist. Basically, the area that Preservation Brownsville is interested in protecting is from St. Charles St to the Expressway 77/83, and from UTB/TSC to Palm Blvd; though, the Kraigher House (on Paredes Line Rd) is also on our radar screen.

Currently, I'm the President of Preservation Brownsville (PB for short) and I'm looking to find more people interested in preserving and advocating for the preservation of our historic structures. I will most likely be holding a general meeting this coming October and talk about the following tentative outline:

1. Purchasing a historic building for renovation and for PB 1st headquarters.

2. Creating a website for PB

3. Creating a new logo for PB

4. Talk about the ordinance that deals with demolition by neglect.

5. Other as yet unknown

PB has been around for about five years but has started over agin with new faces and new hope. There are about 20 members in our organization and are looking for more to join. More voice means more action by our city officials. If the city officials see that there are many of us who want to see downtown rescured, the better the chance for our voices to be heard in numbers.

I will let everyone know when the general meeting will take place as soon as I meet with my board members sometime next month.

If you are interested or just curious in joining us or just to come to the next meeting, let me know and I will keep you posted on the latest events. There are currently no fees (just donations) and I plan to keep it fee free for the forseeable future. Remember, things don't change if you just sit there and get upset, make a difference and join our organization nad do something positive and focus that anger into one voice, Preservation Borwnsville; helping to preserve our history.

To contact me to learn more about our organization, please e-mail me to the following address:

tonyclehmann@yahoo.com.

TonyL

My Website: A Pictorial History of Brownsville

2005-08-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

To those of you who have not seen my website as titled above, then what are you waiting for? click here to view it: A Pictorial History of B'ville, Tx

It's pretty much a website about B'ville's past, present, and future growth. It covers topics from the history, demographics, before and after pics, info on individual buildings, current and future construction projects and much more!

It's been online since April but I'm still working on it. Some pics and not working and I'm still uploading many pictures. It'l be about another year before it's fully developed. I hope to have about 500+ pics uploaded this year and I'm about 60% there. Remember, it's not completly done cuz I'm doing this on my spare time. Enjoy this free website and hope you all learn something about this wonderful city, on the border, by the sea!

Demolition By Neglect

2005-08-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Defined as the destruction of a building through abandonment or lack of maintenance.

Seen one lately? You will if you live in Brownsville. There are several (or many) historical buidings and homes that are on the verge of extinction. Examples: The Hotel El Jardin, The Kraigher House, The Yturria Building, The Puegnat Building, and many more.

The city is going to consider soon on implementing an ordinance that deals with demolition by neglect. The El Jadin is a prime example of this issue. Although I have talked about the El Jardin in this blog, I'm concentrating on the ordinance more than on the building. Pieces of the hotel have been falling for some time now but rarely does it get any coverage. The only time that I can remeber that I saw it in the Brownsville Herald was when a large piece of molding from the roof came crashing down on the building next to it. But nothing more was mentioned thereafter.

Basically, if an owner can not afford to fix the building or can't sell it, the other option for the owner is to neglect the building until it's unsafe or structurally unsound and be forced to tear it down. The owner may then be able to rebuild something else on this property. That's what appears to be happening with the hotel, but I have no proof or it. But it would not be too far from reallity since the hotel is being neglected and it's slowly coming apart. There are other historical buildings that are in lack of maintaince but the hotel is in more emminent danger.

The ordinance is a good start but here's what I want to know about the ordinance:

1) Will it be enforced?

2) What will the ordinance entail?

3) What would be the consequences/fines if the owner(s) disregard the ordinance?

4) Would the fines and/or consequences be heavy or just a slap on the wrist?

5) Will the ordinance be enforced equally (meaning that there are no loop holes or compadrismo going on)?

6) If the owner(s) still disregard the ordinance, will the city be able to take action of some sort?

I'm sure that there's more questions but these are the basic ones. If the ordinance will not be enforced, then what's the point of having one? Just the same, if the fines are not heavy enough or the city simply looks the other way, again, what's the point? If the city is serious about this ordinance, then I want to see real progress being made for the downtown and making sure that owner(s) do follow the ordinance. Period.

As soon as I find out more about this new ordinance, I will write it here as an update and see if all the questions above will be answered in a positive way.

Until then, downtown will reamain where it's at, decaying and going into oblivion.

Brownsville in The 21st Century

2005-08-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

A new century, rr, millenium has dawned upon us with ever expanding techologies, population growth, enviromental issues, and growing cities among many other things.

Brownsville is no different. I'm only going to concentrate on issues regarding B'ville and its infrasctucture or lack of that will plague B'ville in this new century and propose ideas to help alleviate these problems. I'm sure that some of my ideas may already have been thought of but I will go ahead and mention them.

Highways/Loops

It's interesting to note that B'ville has only one major limited access highway (77/83) going through it. B'ville is currently booming and with that boom comes people. People bring cars, and cars bring headaches. The following are ideas that will help the congestion of B'ville.

West Loop

This West Loop idea is already being discussed and may become a reality as soon as the West Rail Relocation Project moves forward with the cosntruction eliminating the railroad that runs through the city to the B&M Bridge. After the new rail bridge gets built southwest of B'ville, the current railraod tracks of Union Pacific would be turned into the West Loop. This is a good idea and great foresite for whom ever thought this up. One way to ruin a good idea is to turn the West Loop into a boulevard. Why? Cuz this would create infinite city lights to deal with and create more bottleneck than move traffic smoothly.

Instead, West Loop should be built as a limited access highway, such as the Expressway 77/83. The loop is suppose to start at Palm Blvd and end somewhere at Alton Gloor (Tejon Rd) Blvd. If this is to be so, then not only should West Loop be limited access but also connect to the Expressway 77/83 via interchnages. This way, traffic on Expressway 77/83 can exit on West Loop without having to come to a light. More flowing traffic equals shorter time travel. Lets hope that our city leaders do the right thing and build West Loop into a limited access highway.

East Loop

Although the first phase of this loop has been completed (now called University Blvd) and connects Elizabeth St (Downtown) with the Expressway 77/83, the next phase will run from Expressway 77/83 to the airport and then from the airport to the Port of Brownsville. Again, this 2nd phase should be built as a limited access highway to aliviate bottlenecks at traffic lights and adding more traffic lights to just about every intersection. Brownsville doesn't need more traffic lights. The great thing about this project is that it will connect the airport directly to the Expressway 77/83.

Currently, to get to the airport is a hassle, which ever direction you choose to take; I've tried them all! More direct access to/from the airport means more business to our city as people, especially those not from here or familiar with this area, do not like to try and guess their way out.

FM 511

This highway is currently a very dangerous two-lane road. There are current plans to expand it to a four lane highway with a possiblity of adding a dedicated truck lane in the center part. I'm not sure if this expansion would be a limited access highway or not but sure would be a good idea to do so. The expansion of the section of FM 511 would be from the Expressway 77/83 to the Port of Brownsville. It may even to intergrated into the I-69 if it happens to come down in the future. FM 511 would connect to the proposed East Loop, which would then connect to the airport.

Boca Chica Expressway

OK, this is my ideabut I think is the best idea to ever be imagined. Here it goes:

Currently, the major bottlenecks in Brownsville happens right at the intersections of the expressway with the major thoughrough fares. Try driving in these areas between 4:00pm to 6:00pm and you will see what I mean!

The idea here is to create Boca Chica Blvd into a limited access highway that would connect HW 281 (Military Highway), which inturn goes to Canada, to International Blvd, which also connects to HW 48 (goes to Port Isabel and SPI). An interchange would definately be required and this idea would aleviate many of the bottlenecks going from the east/west dirrection. Boca Chica is already a seven-lane (one center/turning lane) and would be large enough to accomodate the expressway without buying rights of way. Not to mention that Boca Chica Blvd literally connects South Padre island to Canada!!

Highway 281

Highway 281, as mentioned before, connects to Canada but is at this time, only two-lanes. It goes to McAllen along the Rio Grande River, and from there, it heads north to San Antonio and then to Canada. The stretch of 281 from Brownsville to McAllen should be expanded into a four lane, limited access highway. Imagen the amount of visitors to Brownsville form Monterrey and other parts of Mexico! This would be a hit. Mexicans from Monterrey are already bypassing McAllen because McAllen is just to over crowded and congested and they are coming over to Brownsville in large droves. I believe that there is a plan to expanded it but again, I'm not sure if it would be a limited access highway.

I-69

This is definately what Brownsville needs, an intersate highway. For too long the Rio Grande Valley has been underserved by a major federal highway. Especially considering that there is a lot of truck and car traffic along highway 77. Now that the Expressway 77/83 is being expanded to six lanes, there may be a good chance that I-69 could come our way, but don't hold your breath. It could take up to five years or more! Even if it gets approved now.

I recently went to a meeting that occured at the Brownsville Events Center that showcased the new highway and to see if there is support for this highway in this area. I left a comment with my huge support!! With the I-69 is also the TTC (Trans Texas Corridor) that Governor Rick Perry wants to see built. For more on this, please visit TxDot at: TTC

Finally, the ideas is to have a limited access highway that completely loops around the city, starting at the FM 511 to the Port of Brownsville, connecting to the East Loop with the airport, and then reconnecting to the Expressway 77/83 near the university in downtown, and Finally East Loop to West Loop and back up to the Expressway 77/83 near Alton Gloor. Boca Chica Expressway would connect HW 48 to HW 281 literally connecting SPI with Canada!!Phew!!!!

Brownsville will never look the same if and when these ideas come to fruition. What are your alls view of this? Let me know.

Hurricane Emily-No Sweat!

2005-07-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Yup, the much hiped hurricane made land fall about 70 miles south of Brownsville with only gusts of up 70 to maybe 80 mph here. No big deal! We survived without much problem. I went to sleep at about 2:00am and woke up at 7:00am to see the news. The eye was barely making land fall and there was a lot of wind and some rain. No major flooding at where I'm at.

I just hope that the downtown buildings were OK. I'll go to downtown as soon as is possible to see the extent of the damage. I don't expect much and will continue the fight to get the owners to fix their buildings so when the next hurricane comes thru, the buildings will be in much better shape to survive.

The Fate of the El Jardin Hotel

2005-07-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

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

Brownsville Finally Looking Up

2005-07-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Ah, wouldn't it be nice to drive through B'ville on the expressway and see not just towering palm trees (which happen to be tallest than most of the structures in B'ville) but towers four to eight stories along side the expressway in the Morrison Crossing Shopping Center. Well, it could happen and very soon if the developers of Morrison Crossing get their way.

Today in the Brownsville Herald's story: Bernard brothers envision four towers at new development is an article but towers rising over the small skyline of B'ville. According to their story, the Bernard Brothers are looking into building foru towers composed of a bank/office, upscale hotel, medical, and condos. They will vary from 4 - 8 stories adding a much needed skyline to Brownsville's north side.

I've always said that B'ville needs a decent skyline in order to attract larger companies. The reason is because high-rise buildings are a symbol of power and prestige. It shows the world that the city is not just a sleepy town but a town that means business, literally and figuratively. Currently, B'ville is trying to catch the eye of the NFL League but may have a hard time selling the B'ville image in part because of its skyline (there are other factors for sure). Imagen the Goodyear Blimp flying over and showing the US a land mostly of agriculture and low-rise buildings. It just wouldn't be attractive and the rest of the nation would laugh. Read the story about the RGV vying for the NFL League on the Borwnsville Herald: Group faces major obstacles in luring franchise.

Hopefully, if the towers do get built, even one of them, this could lead to other developers to rethink their 2 to 3 story buildings and think taller. B'ville is coming of age where land should not be gobbled up to build one-two-three story buildings and intruding into the wildlife habitat. Land is finite while the sky offers more room to build. Really, the sky is the limit.

Predictions

1. B'ville will surpass McAllen as the #1 city of the RGV in terms of higher salary employments, bank deposits, high-rise construction, and attracting large corporations before McAllen within the next 15 years.

2. The first high-rise (12 stories or more) will be built within the next 10 years since the Villa del Sol (14-stories and only high-rise) was built in 1971.

3. B'ville will have its first skyscraper (500ft or more or roughly 42 stories or more) within the next 25 years.

If the booming construction continues at a steady pace, all this may be possible and B'ville will once again be the powerhouse of the RGV.

TonyL

Disneyworld in Brownsville?

2005-06-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

Of all the ridiculous ideas of ideas, this one must top the cake? Right? Not! But before you go close this page and go off to another website, think about this. What better place to put a Disneyworld than right smack in the center of the US and bordering Mexico? If you think about it closely, you will see the benifits of having such a venue in our city that not only benifits Brownsville, but also Disney.

How could this be? There is already a Disneyworld in the east (Florida), on in the west (California) and one in Japan. Why would Disney need to build one in south texas? Lets look at the demographics for a moment.

The Downside

Brownsville and the RGV IS the lowest per capita wage earner, the city is located right smack at the bottom of the US, and the RGV lacks in transportation, such as an Interstate to handle traffic volume, and there is not enough hotels to handle the volume of people that would come.

The Upside

Mexico, Central America, South America, Canada, and the Central US. By locating a Disneyworld in Brownsville, not only would it attract visitors form the center of the US, but from the areas mentioned above. Brownsville would be almost in the center if you take Canada and Mexico and average it out. Disney would then be attracting more visitors to Disney-Brownsville than it normally would. How many of us would consider going to Disney in California or Florida. Most of us wouldn't because of the cost of travel and distance. By placing a Disney in Brownsville, you then attract visitors form the interior of Mexico (Monterrey, Cd. Victoria, San Louis Poto Si, and Mexico DF to mention a few) and from Texas and all the states north of Texas to even Canda (Winter Texans for sure).

Mexico, contrary to many beliefs, does have many wealthy families that buy condos, apartments and houses on South Padre Island, Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen. And these are not cheap homes. We're talking about half million to $1M homes!! A large percentage of condos bought at SPI are from Mexico! Then add all of the cities north of B'ville (San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Austin, Houston and Dallas) and then the picture begins to clear. It's not a very long distance from either Dallas of Mexico (a new highway was built between San Louis Poto Si to Cd. Victoria cutting down a large amount of travel) to brownsville. Dallas to B'ville is roughly 8 hours and Mexico DF to B'ville is also about 8-9 hours. Not really far if you consider going to California or Florida, either of which would take days to drive or be an expensive airplane drive.

Move over Six Flags and Fiesta Texas. Nothing would compete with Disney. I believe that Disney would find more willing visitors to its theme park than anywhere else. What about the other downsides mentioned above. Transporation: If a Disney were to come to Brownsville, I-69 would certainly be funded and built to come down to our area, along with the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC-35, more on this at TxDot: http://www.keeptexasmoving.com/), the West Loop and East Loop Phase II would be expidited as well as the Rail Road Relocation Project. So transportation would not be a problem with five year or less for some of the projects. I-69 and TTC-35 would be slower in coming but would happen in the future. Hotels? Believe me, as soon as Disney decided to build here, you would have hotels standing in line to build next to it (where to build is my next issue further down). Low wages, well, that's going to be for a while longer until larger Fortune 500 companies move in, but a Disney would definately help B'ville's image and maybe attract these companies. Disney would create a ripple effect not just in B'ville, but the RGV as a whole.

Where to Built Disney

I truely believe that if Disney ever decided to come down here, they sould build it right along the border where the previous Amigoland Mall used to be (it's now called the ITECC and owned by UTB/TSC). Why there? Cuz you want Disney to not only have American influence but also Mexican influence since the majority would come from Mexico. There is a lot of land in that area and maybe even have it in two parts, literally. One part on the US side while the other part in Matamoros, right across the US conterpart! Each one with it's unique themes. Not only would this be a huge attratcion to many foreign visitors, but also help in creating a beautiful view of the Rio Grande River and the view of the two cities. It would defiantely be a unique feature in the WORLD! Talk about attracting visitors. Disney would have akilling here.

Well, that's my day dream and maybe a fantasy but believe it or not, Brownsville's previous Mayor Pat Ahumada (1990-91?) proposed to bring Disney to B'ville. HE even contacted Disney but then he wasn't reelected and probably other factors developed and the project just never got going.

So I don't think this idea is silly, but should be looked at seriously if B'ville wants to compete in the world market and bring some good venues for people of all over the world to enjoy and remember B'ville. Orlando, anyone? Before Disney, knowone new Orlando.

TonyL

All About Brownsville's Growth

2005-06-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

What's this new blog about? Simple. Everything about the city's historical buildings, architecture, new construction, and anything related to this. This is a way for me to express my opinons of what's going on around town as far as construction is concerned, voice opinion about the state of of downtown district, what should or should not happen, etc.

Basically, I'm trying to be the voice of the city. I also want to know other's opinion on anything I talk about.

Currently, I'm the president of a new organization called Preservation Brownsville. What we do is advocate and inform the public about the state of downtown B'ville. We want to preserve this beautiful area and help those who are going to renovate existing buildings on how to properly renovate and the do's and don't on renovation. If a historical building (commercial or residential) is going to be demolished, we are going to go to the city meetings and explain the reasons to save the building(s). Although you'de think that this doesn't happen anymore, it still occurs. We want to preserve the downtown to what it used to be. The more voices we have, the better chance of rescuing our history.

Also, I created a website that shows B'ville's growth and development called: A Pictorial History of Brownsville: Growth and Development. It pretty much shows B'ville through its history with the use of pictures. It also show the current construction and any future projects. It's pretty large and I'm still working on uploading the pictures. It will contain well over 500 pics of this city and continue growing. I try to update it at least once a month with new info and pictures. Visit my website at www.brownsvilletexasonline.com and see what Brownsville is all about.

Well, that is for right now. I'm actually wworking and the fear of getting caught is high on my list.

laterz,

TonyL