11th Street Properties' Renovation Now Full Blast, Final Uses Remains Undecided

Structural Lumber Before Unloading

How will the City of Brownsville finally decided to use the properties purchaed at 609, 611 and 615 E. 11th?  Signs placed on the windows, but then later removed have vacillated on the plan:  "Central Downtown Mayor's Office, Downtown Brownsville Police Substation, museum, community center, Downtown Revitalization Office."

City Manager Charlie Cabler let it slip a couple weeks ago that "putting a police substation downtown would be up to the police department."  In other words, despite the overeager signage, that concept hadn't been run past Police Chief Rodriguez yet.

Mr. Hurtado, supervising the small crew Monday at the location, indicated they had not been told "what the buildings will be used for, just to get the job done."

The City Commission unanimously approved $141,000 for the remodeling back in March after the city paid $41,000, $42,000 and $42,000 respectively for the three small offices.