Socorro Historical Landmark Commission approves Dollar General design, perimeter wall; receives $2 million museum funding update

The Socorro City Historical Landmark Commission on Wednesday approved a certificate of appropriateness for a new Dollar General on Socorro Road and a separate certificate for a perimeter wall at 11549 Socorro Road, accepted meeting minutes and excused two absent commissioners, and received an update that the city’s museum project has secured $2 million in state support.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the Dollar General design and the perimeter wall and to accept the July 9 regular meeting minutes. The votes were taken during the commission’s regular session, which opened at 6:01 p.m.

The museum update was the most substantive staff briefing. Staff said the museum is roughly 65% complete, with shingles, interior walls and flooring installed and lighting remaining. Staff reported that two state legislators filed bills to support the project and that the museum would receive a total of $2,000,000, double the amount previously anticipated; staff identified the Texas Historical Commission as the financial agent for those funds. The commission was told the additional $1,000,000 will allow the city to prioritize completion of street-facing buildings and aim to open those spaces for public use by 2027.

On the Dollar General application, staff (Brooke Dallenberg was identified as the point of contact) said the applicant submitted an updated design that complies with the historical district guidelines after an earlier preliminary design did not. The updated proposal includes a front-facing façade that…