By MANUEL LARA
Manuel Lara
City Manager
Special to the News
The contract for design of the Museums of San Benito is being prepared, and a new cultural institution in the Resaca City should be under construction by this summer.
Long awaited after some delays due to legal mechanics, this project is moving…It has to, as we want to ensure good use of the $1 million in grant funds we received from the US Economic Development Agency. It is the intention of the City Commission to create a first-rate cultural institution that will showcase San Benito in its greatest light.
Our privately operated museums’ groups, the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Freddy Fender Museum and the San Benito History Museum, along with the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, will utilize the new and remodeled facilities owned by the City.
Changes are occurring in the plans. It will be built at the museums’ original site on the 200 block of East Heywood Street. Legal requirements in the certificates of obligation used to finance the project require such, and we will abide by that regulation. As the City owns the entire block, we have the potential to extensively upgrade the existing Community Building and add a new, modern and fully functional museum facility with the capabilities of attracting large groups for a multiple types of events.
This is exciting!
I can visualize the completed project as a destination for arts, music and literature on an international scale. Attention will be given to functionality, beauty and design. The grounds will be handsomely landscaped and maintained. Additional programming will follow, offering more in the way of activities and events under the direction of our four cultural organizations.
The possibility of creating an out-door performance area has just been raised which would encourage even greater use of the facilities.
The existing Community Building needs to be totally remodeled to fit into the overall scope of the project. People tell us that the Auditorium was previously used to by the Dawson Theater Guild, with local actors and actresses performing plays on a regular basis. They said it was a very popular feature in San Benito during the 1980sand served as a great entertainment venue with patrons coming from across the Valley to the dinner theater. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to revive or create a new theater guild?
Our architect tells us that the Community Building is in solid condition and could easily be updated.
We have not decided on any concept as of yet. However, we could continue to utilize the Community Building as an auditorium, and restore that old stage, lights and sound system.
The new building could be the Museums’ grand exhibit space, meeting areas and perhaps gift shop and snack bar/ticket concession.
So far, nothing is set in concrete, but we plan to act quickly, make decisions and get it going.
We see the culture of San Benito as one means to create a positive economic impact for this community. We believe our museums promote the area’s rich cultural heritage through programs in visual arts, music, theater, dance and literature. We have embarked upon the development of the Cultural Heritage Museum Project to publicly feature the works of the area’s musical talents, combined with local traditions. The project is designed to incorporate existing music festivals, art exhibits, educational ventures and recognition ceremonies for public benefit.
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