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Council approves $8.5 million to restore Plaza Theater; staff to confirm eligible uses and feasibility
Summary
The Laredo City Council voted Feb. 11 to commit $8.5 million of available funds toward restoring the Plaza Theater’s historic function, after a staff presentation that said full restoration needs were previously estimated near $17 million and the city currently has $8.7 million available.
City engineers and staff briefed the council on the Plaza Theater project at the Feb. 11 special meeting and recommended using available funds to restore the building’s historic function. City materials presented by the engineer noted the full-scope restoration had previously been estimated at about $17 million; the city currently shows $8.7 million available for the project (including a HUD allocation of $750,000 and capital-improvement funds).
Council debated scope and eligibility: staff said the funds derived from the sale of a civic center must be used on a similar “gathering place” and that the theater restoration fits that legal interpretation, though past proposed uses (a children’s museum and other options) were later judged in prior legal reviews to be ineligible under the same funding restriction. Council members asked whether the work being approved was limited to exterior restoration or intended to bring the building back to full theatrical operation; staff clarified the approved motion restores the theater to its historic and operational function (with a phased approach starting with roof and envelope work and later design changes as required).
A motion to allocate $8.5 million toward restoring the Plaza Theater (with design and construction estimated at roughly 18 months for the funded scope) passed by voice vote. Several council members requested additional operational feasibility materials, ongoing cost estimates and clearer documentation on eligible uses before further phases proceed.
Representative details from the presentation: the council was shown that phase 1 (roof replacement) and phase 2 (envelope and facade improvements) had bid awards and budget items; staff reported an available balance of approximately $8.7 million and said using that sum to restore the theater’s historic functions would require an estimated 18 months to design and complete the funded scope.
What’s next: staff will continue project design and return with detailed feasibility and operational plans describing intended uses, potential revenue or subsidy sources for operations, and any additional funding needed to achieve the theater’s full restoration.
