How Much of the $2,300,000 Spent on La Casa del Nylon Will the City of Brownsville Recover?

Brownsville's inept, but arrogant
mayor, Tony Martinez

The ineffectiveness of Tony Martinez' non-inclusive method as mayor will be on display at the August 5 City Commission meeting. The building he so presumptuously and arrogantly purchased with taxpayer dollars from his friend Abraham Galonsky, La Casa del Nylon at 1304 E. Adams Street, for $2,300,000, will be put up for sale.

Taxpayers have been on the hook since 2012, burdened with Certificates of Obligation, to pay for this property and a dozen other unneeded buildings totaling approximately $3.5 million.

As is the style of this undemocratic mayor and city commission, no explanation has ever been given to the taxpayers, those footing the bill, as to the "need" for these buildings.  Like immature school children, the elected city government's position has been:  "That's for us to know and you to find out!"

Not even veteran commissioners like Ricardo Longoria and Rose Gowen can explain the necessity, the urgency of such a huge tax burden on Brownsville citizens to purchase these dozen buildings.  Either the cat has their tongues or they consider themselves above questioning by lowly citizens.  

This is indeed an arrogant, if unskilled bunch, this mayor and city commission.

The agenda for the August 5, 2014 City Commission meeting has been released. Notice Action Item "A:" 

ACTION ON ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A) ACTION to authorize staff to list the real property on East Adams Street, between 13th and 14th Streets, for sale with a broker for a commission of no more than 5% of the sale price.(Commissioners R. Longoria, Jr./J. Villarreal)

There is only one city owned property on that block; La Casa del Nylon.  

Using an out-of-date, unwarranted appraisal, Tony Martinez' law partner, Horacio Barrera, "negotiated" the purchase of the building for $2,300,000, about triple what similar buildings have sold for in Brownsville.

Homeless living under dilapidated awning of
La Casa del Nylon

While Brownsville taxpayers have been huffing and puffing to pay the principal, interest and insurance for the building, the city has found no need for the building during its two years of ownership.  A homeless couple lived under its awning for the last 6 months.  Recently, Spawglass Corporation has taken over the old Portillo Jewelry portion for its construction office for the downtown parking garage.

Now, the $2,300,000 question is:  "How much of this squandered taxpayer money can the City of Brownsville recover?  Will Horacio Barrera give back his ill-gotten commission?  Will Tony Martinez admit that his puppy love for outgoing UTB President Juliet Garcia short-circuited his common sense?