SAN BENITO — After years of planning and grueling setbacks, the cash is rolling out for a project that started as a dream.
Now, the city is making plans to break ground on the $1.7 million project to build the San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum.
In a meeting Tuesday, city commissioners entered into a contract with Jones Construction of Weslaco to build the 4,000-square-foot building off Heywood Street at San Benito Plaza, near the Community Building and the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center.
“I’m just excited,” Mayor Celeste Sanchez said after the meeting. “We’re finally making progress.”
But first, the U.S. Economic Development Administration has to approve the contract.
Rachel Siller, assistant director of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, said the agency is expected to approve the contract within days.
Ground breaking is set for Feb. 7, said Rey Avila, part of the city’s museum coalition.
“Finally, the true will come true,” Avila said.
To fund the project, the city will use a $1 million EDA grant and about $700,000 set aside from its general fund, City Manager Manuel de la Rosa said.
The building will house the Freddy Fender Museum, the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum and the San Benito History Museum.
For more on the story read Thursday’s Valley Morning Star.
