Stonewall Jackson topic of upcoming workshop

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX

File photo
San Benito’s historic Stonewall Jackson Hotel is pictured weeks before the building’s owner closed it down last fall.

Staff Writer
Reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Will the Stonewall Jackson Hotel be renovated, sold, demolished or something else entirely? This pressing question is on a forthcoming San Benito Public Housing Authority workshop agenda, where board members will discuss the building’s much-anticipated fate.

“We’re in the discussion stage,” said SBPHA Board Member Ron Rogers. “We’re not really anticipating making a decision (beyond) moving forward. I think we’re still in the exploratory (phase). I think we have to look at the input from the community and the input from the board members; there are a lot of things to consider.”

The housing authority, still without an executive director, is reportedly in no hurry to make a move just yet. “As for having a quick and fast decision,” Rogers said, “I don’t think we will.”

According to data collected by a San Benito News online poll (sbnewspaper.com), 44 percent of those surveyed would like to see Stonewall Jackson restored to its former glory. Board Member José F. Rodriguez said, “I would also like something done with (Stonewall). The problem is … where are we going to get the money? The City, as far as I know, isn’t interested in helping out; they have their own concerns. The thing that weighs on my mind is – if we do it – how will we pay for it?”

At present, SBPHA estimates that Stonewall Jackson rehabilitation efforts will cost north of $3 million. “To get it functional, I think we’re talking between $3-4 million,” said Rogers.

Stonewall Jackson is not deemed a historical landmark at this time. If it were, a new pool of state and national grants given to rehabilitate such structures would become available. Speaking to whether or not the SBPHA has considered pursuing the issue further, Rogers said, “There are historical grants from the State and national levels. Whether that building qualifies or not, that is something we’d need to pursue.”

“The only thing about going with a historical site,” said Rodriguez, “is (the process is) very strict. That would be my only concern. The board that bought Stonewall didn’t really have a plan for it. We’re going to decide what we want to do with it.”

“All options are on the table,” Rogers said. “I think it’s just a matter of pursuing the ones that are most reasonable and viable. Certainly, we want input from the community. The bottom line is the decision has to make economic sense. Our housing authority, we don’t have (millions of dollars) lying around. We would have to consider grants and private funding. The renovation gets down to money.”

A workshop to discuss Stonewall’s future will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29 at the SBPHA office on 1400 Reagan in San Benito. The meeting will be held in open session.

“The public’s opinion definitely will be considered,” said Rogers of the upcoming meeting. “That’s sort of why we’re having this workshop. We have invited the public, so we can have (their) input.”

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