IT’S ALMOST TIME: ResacaWalk could break ground in early 2015

ResacaWalk12-3-14

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Special to the NEWS

It’s an exciting time for the illustrious City of San Benito, with talk of possible ResacaWalk groundbreaking to occur as soon as early 2015.

The EDC, with the help of San Benito city officials, has been long-planning the erection of a promenade, anticipated to incorporate a boardwalk along the recently acquired property along the resaca– thus ResacaWalk – where retail businesses, family restaurants, public events and cultural structures could coexist and perhaps spur economic growth in the area.

The EDC purchased the waterfront land previously owned by First National Bank, on the resaca located off Business 77, for approximately $990,000. The purchase was funded by a $1.2 million federal grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration to the EDC.

It is the hope of the EDC and city officials that the ResacaWalk will soon be home to retail business, restaurants, an event center and lawn, and even the Museums of San Benito—including exhibits for the Freddy Fender Museum, the San Benito Historical Museum, and the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

EDC Executive Director, Salomon Torres, explained that, “We are working with…a few prospects. We are studying the site” to decide which businesses might be best suited to establish themselves along the ResacaWalk.

“Most are restaurants,” said Torres. He added, “We hope to make (a more official) announcement of the businesses in the early part of next year. As of now, we are unable to disclose names.”

Mayor Celeste Z. Sanchez sounded pleased as she expressed, “ The community has been anxious to see what is going to occur there, and as soon as we get firm commitments on contracts with potential businesses we will immediately make (the announcement) to the community. They will be very pleased with the prospects.”

Alongside the implied enrichment to life in San Benito, Sanchez said she expects to see economic growth. “This will mean (the creation of) job openings, as well as entertainment. We hope the community comes out and supports those businesses,” said Sanchez.

Regarding the precise layout of the ResacaWalk, Torres said, “We hired architects for the site layout, but everything hinges on which prospect(s) we decide to go with. Once we agree with (said prospect) on a timeline, that is when we will announce a date for groundbreaking.”

Torres said the announcement for such groundbreaking might occur as early as January 2015.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/12/02/its-almost-time-resacawalk-could-break-ground-in-early-2015/

18 comments

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    • Reform San Benito on December 9, 2014 at 12:30 pm
    • Reply

    Two things concern me:

    1) Where is the money coming from to build the above structures and infrastructure?

    Last I heard, a $1.2M grant was used to purchase the property, which leaves about $200K. Another $1.2M CO earmarked for museums cannot be used at the Resaca site. Can someone tell me, since I must’ve missed it, where the money is coming from to break ground soon? Infrastructure — sewer, water, gas, roads and parking — and the buildings as shown above, must be a minimum of $3M. Have not heard anything near this sum mentioned. Anyone know?

    2) Why would any entity want to locate in downtown SB if it’s not good enough for the museums housing the history of our city?

    As far back as I can remember, the city has been talking about revitalizing the downtown district; the mayor championed this when she was a commissioner. Has the city given up on downtown? What is going to draw people downtown? The museums will draw tourists downtown, and the Stonewall could house them, if the entities involved would put aside their individual agendas and work together for the best interest of SB and the downtown district.

    The ResacaWalk is a great opportunity to bring new business to SB and develop a prime piece of real estate in the process. The city would probably gain more in tax revenue long term, though, if the space designated for the museum went to retail. To develop and revitalize the downtown area, however, for growth and the overall betterment of SB, the museums should remain downtown, and the city, EDC and museum boards should focus their attention there. Afterall, they have in hand $1.2M in funds they’ve been sitting on for seven years for improvements at the current museum location.

    The city, EDC and these boards concerned with the history of SB should lead by example and invest in downtown, where most of the history started. That is, if they still hold hope anyone else will invest in downtown.

      • CAVA Supporter on December 9, 2014 at 8:48 pm
      • Reply

      You bring some good points RSB. First, the museum boards are volunteers so they have no power.. The blame must fall on the city administration and elected officials. The Mayor is new and so is the EDC guy so the City Manager and the previous EDC director must be at the head of the line to accept blame for any inaction, fumbles and missed opportunities.
      Not sure about the Stonewall Jackson although it could be an options. There seems to be too much risk with the SW since it will require a 3-4 million dollar rehabilitation of that property. The area around the SW is not that great. A real dilemma that will take positive leadership and action regardless of who is in charge!

        • Reform San Benito on December 17, 2014 at 7:55 am
        • Reply

        Volunteers do have power! The power is in their voice and ability to persuade. You of all people, CAVA Supporter, should realize the power in the voice and will of the people.

        Personally, I don’t think it’s in the best interest of SB’s desire to revitalize downtown to move the museums from downtown. If there is any value in the history of SB to attract visitors, it can be done as easily downtown as at the ResacaWalk. The museums will just have to embrace the idea of rehabilitating and preserving a historical building versus constructing a new one, and the mayor and commissioners will need to set the course based on what is in SB’s best long-term interest.

  1. There just seems to be a pattern in our town, that nothing gets done correctly. In my opinion, this will be a true testament if madam mayor was worth all the hype. She has done nothing to better San Benito because all the corrupted people are still around pulling the strings. For example, she has been seen with supporters of Joe Hernandez have breakfast and also at city functions. Why would she even waste her time with these people who supporters the mess Joe did and what he stood for. Celeste, wake up and take stand your, starting to replicate the new board school board members that got elected. That’s why our town will never advance or successes with people like this at the helm.

      • Pepe Roni on December 8, 2014 at 12:48 pm
      • Reply

      Haven’t you ever seen The Godfather 2?

    • Juan on December 4, 2014 at 5:12 pm
    • Reply

    Clown Town,part two,to be continued.

    • Two Things on December 4, 2014 at 7:48 am
    • Reply

    1) It’s a great picture

    2) “almost”, “could”, and “early” not so much

  2. Resaca walk, how about hiring a competent Housing Director to run the place. Gee, Puppet Arnold left which was truly a blessing for our Housing, but first made a huge mess with bidding process for the $5 million dollar project. Than you have basically a clerk running the show, which is basically Arnold and Trevino pulling the strings there. Our town needs to be heading the right direction by putting educated people with proven success to run the show enough of these clowns just collecting a paycheck..

      • Citizen 3 on December 4, 2014 at 1:37 pm
      • Reply

      You sure make plenty of allegations but show no proof or evidence of any strings being pulled or that, in your words, a clerk is being manipulated by Padilla and Trevino. Unlike you, I checked and verified that this individual you refer to as a “clerk” is an educated university graduate in Business. This town will head in the right direction if people would just stop ranting and raving about organizations or specific people without providing any proof with it. Basically, We all need to “Grow Up!”.

      • Concerned on December 5, 2014 at 11:39 am
      • Reply

      Although I agree with you Citizen 2, what does the resaca have to do with the housing?
      This town will never grow. There are too many thieves.

    • Concerned on December 3, 2014 at 11:24 am
    • Reply

    The ResacaWalk project could be a viable economic development project for the community, done properly. I believe we have the right Mayor and EDC director. Word from my neighbors is that the City Manager is unfortunately a major obstacle to progress.

      • Denny Crane, Jr. on December 4, 2014 at 1:49 pm
      • Reply

      Yeah, Word from your neighbors is a true indicator of the truth.

      Come on people, spreading rumors and innuendo does nothing but split the city even more.

      It is very obvious from your comment that you are a fan of the EDC director and trying to tilt blame on the City Manager. I am not a huge fan of either one but I support the effort to move the city forward.

        • Concerned on December 5, 2014 at 11:35 am
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        I have good neighbors and they know all of the inside information. Get back to work Manuel.

          • Denny Crane, Jr. on December 5, 2014 at 6:28 pm
          • Reply

          Of course they do!

          If you want to play this game, Get back to work Salomon. This meeting is ADJOURNED with PREJUDICE.

          Go TEXANS.

            • Concerned on December 8, 2014 at 9:47 am
            • Reply

            Sorry but you don’t have the right to my opinion nor my rumors and innuendo. Our City has enough bullies as well. Get over it.

              • Senor Taxpayer on December 8, 2014 at 3:51 pm
              • Reply

              I don’t think Mr. Crane is laying claim to your opinion. The irony in your statement (Our City has enough bullies as well) seems to escape you. A BULLY is an individual who spreads rumors and innuendo about another individual as a form of intimidation.

              • Concerned on December 9, 2014 at 1:10 pm
              • Reply

              Get over it!

    • Juan on December 3, 2014 at 6:10 am
    • Reply

    Wonder which city officials will get their palms greased in this ploy ?
    Hope they read their agreements before signing.

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