UP TO CODE? ‘Resolutions’ sought for Stonewall Jackson

A tenant at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in San Benito is pictured walking down the hall last month. (Staff photo)

By HEATHER C. COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com 

The once legendary Stonewall Jackson Hotel, a mecca of high society and class in the 1930s and 40s, has been in disrepair for decades – that is until an August 27 fire at the hotel-turned-apartment-complex brought the building’s dilapidation to the attention of San Benito Fire Department and City of San Benito officials.

But with many weeks passing since anything was reported on city officials’ efforts to work with hotel ownership in bringing the building up to code, what’s transpired since has largely consisted of talks between said officials and Stonewall’s owners.

Specifically, the hotel’s co-owner, Omar Cuevas, is reportedly working with City of San Benito officials to bring the historic building back up to code. According to Code Enforcement Director John Rodriguez, “Right now we’re negotiating through attorneys. There have been several meetings with Mr. Cuevas and code enforcement. At this point we’re waiting for Mr. Cuevas to bring forth certain resolutions regarding code. They’re being discussed between our attorney and their representative.”

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