B.A.M. Wants Reassurance from the City of Brownsville About Reopening As A Music Venue

Subhumans, Potato Pirates and Equinox

From the editor: When Assistant Fire Marshal Raymond Harris shut down B.A.M.'s live music event January 5, based on an anonymous complaint, the group's leaders began organizing fund raisers for necessary monies to bring the building into compliance with fire and city codes.  

The group has raised $4,000 so far, but as the update below indicates they want assurances from the city that once they make the necessary improvements, they will be allowed function as a downtown music venue.  

Since the City of Brownsville actually owns the building B.A.M. currently occupies, they are hopeful the necessary work on the front entrance will be funded by the city.

Leftover Crack

Nationally known punk rock band Leftover Crack was scheduled to perform January 5, but was forced to move their act to Chapa's Bar on 14th Street when shut down by the Assistant Fire Marshal.  


BAM update:

We've had the place measured. We can go forward with sprinkler system , including an additional toilet, but are cautiously slowing the process until we get confirmation from the city that they will update the front facade of the building, the biggest component to us reopening. 

The front is key to having a safe entry/exit. The City of Brownsville owns the building, so we look to them. We've been promised since October it would happen and have been waiting ever since. The downtown coordinator and fire marshall are on the same page, but now we must wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to notice us. I've reached out to our district 4 commissioner, at large commissioners and mayor at this point. We don't want to fail you guys. We recognize we provide a vital creative component to downtown Brownsville, the valley and STX and will fight hard to make this happen. 

Michelle, Co-Owner of B.A.M.

If you know Commissioners Villarreal, De Leon, Gowen or Mayor Martinez, please let them know how much you miss us.

My name is Michelle, co-owner of Brownville Artists and Musicians, located at 1045 E. Washington St. Our operation is a favorite of the valley and has been recognized by a front cover feature for Festiva Magazine, a Friday magazine special offered by the Monitor, and more recently by The Brownsville Herald for our Wednesday Bizarre Bazaar popup shop. The Brownsville Economic Development Council and Texas Music Office have also recognized our efforts as a positive contributor to the community. My reason for contacting you is because we are at a critical point that requires the City of Brownsville, the owner of our building, to act. We are poised to make improvements to the interior with a sprinkler system and additional bathroom. Unfortunately, we must also rely of the city to expedite the front facade of the building, a task.... approved since last October. Nothing has been done and we are reaching out to you, our elected representative... to give some insight why we are not getting the help we were promised. We feel what we bring to the table is unique and cannot be replicated by anyone. We have laid out the creative infrastructure necessary to help redefine what downtown Brownsville can be, but we really need your help at the moment.

We had projected the reopening of music related events by March, but we don't want to put $4000+ in work if the front won't get repaired like was promised. Thanks for your time.