Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve moving forward on Terlingua-area visitor and event center despite questions over staffing and exhibit operations
Summary
Commissioners voted to proceed with procurement and design work for a visitor center and adjoining event/exhibit hall in the Terlingua area, with an estimated all-in project cost of about $3.7 million; commissioners debated exhibit size, staffing and long-term operations.
Brewster County commissioners voted Feb. 19 to begin procurement work on a proposed Terlingua-area visitor center and event center after hearing a presentation from architects estimating the all-in construction and outfitting cost at roughly $3.7 million.
Architect (S1) presented a program of roughly 8,000 square feet under roof, with approximately 3,000 square feet of public visitor/exhibit space and a separate event center; he summarized an "all in budget of of 3,706,000 and some change." Commissioners raised concerns about who would staff and operate the exhibit hall and whether the exhibit program would require full-time employees or a partnership with a nonprofit or the chamber. Committee member (S6) said the plan "seems grandiose" and questioned multiple simultaneous uses of the exhibit and event space.
Financing was discussed: Chair (S2) said the county could apply roughly $2.5 million from reserves and borrow the remainder through a tax anticipation note for up to seven years, dedicating tourism revenue to debt service in the near term. The court approved a motion to proceed with the visitor-center package and directed staff to solicit construction-manager proposals or bid packages and to return with firm prices and a recommended management structure for operations.
