County, architects outline $5.5 million veterans service center and museum plan in Laredo

County and design teams told the Laredo Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 4 that a planned veterans service center and museum will combine an operational veterans service office (VSO) with museum-quality exhibits inside a restored Texas historic landmark. Commissioner Ricardo Jaime said the county is in possession of the city—s $1 million contribution and described a roughly $5.5 million project budget, with the county covering about $4.5 million and the city $1 million.

The design team from JHS Architects and historic preservation consultant Steven Tillotson presented a historic-structure investigation and preliminary floor plans. "This building is a recorded Texas historic landmark," Tillotson said, and the team said the work required careful restoration of stonework, cornices and blocked openings while adapting spaces for modern systems. The consultants emphasized the high time…