SAN BENITO — Luis Contreras landed a dream job. For years, city leaders dreamed of building a museum to showcase their rich history.
Now, Contreras is helping to turn that dream into reality.
Last week, Contreras took over as the city’s museum coordinator, charged with designing and overseeing the San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum.
“It’s very exiting to me,” Contreras said yesterday. “It fuels my passion that there’s so much to work with.”
The city’s $1.7 million project to build 6,932-square-foot museum complex off Heywood Street is expected to be complete in early September.
The museum will house the Freddy Fender Museum, the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum and the San Benito History Museum.
Contreras said he plans to make the museum a tourist draw.
“I would like the opportunity to enhance their importance to the community.”
Since 2008, the three museum’s have shared a 1,000-square-foot space in the city’s Community Building since 2008.
