Central Police Substation to Be Located Downtown, bcWorkshops Allowed to Work Out Their Rent

A police substation will be located in the trio of cubicles along E. 11th Street according to Downtown Redevelopment Officer Ramiro Gonzalez.   Gonzalez anticipates the new substation to be operational "by the first of the year."

"Commander (Henry) Etheridge was not sure the building would be suitable when he saw it before remodel, but, after seeing what we've done with it, he feels it fits their needs," stated Gonzalez.

Gonzalez feels the police presence "on the street" will give patrons of downtown a feeling of security.  

"In time the officers will recognize all of those who normally frequent downtown.  Someone new will be obvious."

The police substation will occupy the space at the north end of the trio of small spaces.  The middle room will be open for use by city boards and other meeting groups by reservation.

The southernmost building of the trio is occupied by bcWorkshops,
a non-profit that recently requested $208,000 from the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation to connect the landscaping of the Battlefield and Belden Hike & Bike Trails.

Omar Hakeem, bcWorkshops Director

When we stopped recently at 609 E. 11th to check the remodeling work inside, we were met at the door by Omar Hakeem, bcWorkshops Director who said gruffly:  "What do you want?"

Hakeem physically blocked the doorway, preventing us from taking a closer look at the completed remodeling.  

"You need to check your facts before writing stories that are inaccurate," young Omar stated.  

When I mentioned that I'm always open to correcting factual errors, Hakeem mentioned what was bothering him:  "You make it seem like we're doing nothing for our rent here.  We provide real services."

What seemingly angered Mr. Hakeem was our 10/29/14 article, where we shared the copy of the lease agreement between the City of Brownsville and bcWorkshops, where the non-profit agreed to pay $800 per month or $9,600 per year to lease the space at 609 E. 11th.  The city agreed to take care of utilities, taxes and maintenance.  

Another part of the agreement that we shared in that article showed that the City of Brownsville would, in turn, pay bcWorkshops $9,600 per year for the services mentioned below.  If this is incorrect, Omar Hakeem is welcome to email me:

COMPENSATION: The City of Brownsville agrees to pay bcWORKSHOP $9,600 annually for planning, architectural services and community capacity building including gallery exhibits, curated panel or speaker series and coordination of pubic use of the common meeting space. Any services or benefit over and beyond the $9,600 will be treated as pro bono services to the COB. Payments will be made quarterly to bcWORKSHOP in equal portions. The annual work plan shall be determined prior to the beginning of the COB fiscal year and agreed upon by the COB Planning and Zoning Director and bcWORKSHOP. Any new work arising during the year will be agreed to by the COB and bcWORKSHOP prior to the beginning of any project.