(El Rrun Rrun sat down for a candid conversation with Tony Zavaleta and his ideas for Brownsville. He is a candidate for District 4 in this year's election.)
Part One
El Rrun Rrun: Tony we know that you are passionate about Brownsville and especially its downtown. If elected do you have a plan for the Redevelopment of downtown Brownsville?
Tony Zavaleta: "No town can be a great town, without a great downtown." Brownsville's downtown is in deplorable condition, and as City Commissioner for District 4, I will take direct responsibility for its rehabilitation. Our downtown is not kept clean - I will clean it up.
Our downtown is overrun by drug dealers, prostitutes and those who would promote their illegal behavior - I will make sure our laws are enforced. Our downtown is owned by many absentee landlords who I will make sure, either keep up their properties, or lose them. I also strongly believe that our downtown businesses should be given the help and incentives they require to succeed.
As Brownsville City Commissioner for District 4, I will recommend an immediate moratorium be placed on all downtown parking meters, with an indefinite period of free parking to be put in place. During that time I would call for an examination of the city's total monthly parking meter revenue, versus the expense of meter readers and repair. In forcing people to pay for downtown parking, I believe the city gains little, and even loses money. On the other hand, if we want people to come to our downtown, free parking would be a reasonable start.
Secondly, I would immediately create a database of all downtown buildings and properties that includes tax rates and addresses of the owners. I believe that too many absentee landlords have let their properties fall into disrepair, and it is time to take those people to task.
Thirdly, I would introduce ordinances like ones in San Antonio and Austin which are designed to protect the history and culture of their downtowns and older neighborhoods.
Fourth, I would like to see quarterly downtown events/fiestas that will drive both people and revenue to the area. For example, art shows and festivals around Market Square on the weekends? Downtown Brownsville can and will shine again.
El Rrun Rrun: Arguably Brownsville is the most historic city in Texas yet we have not been able to develop a sustainable tourism market. If elected, do you have any ideas on how to develop a true tourism sector for Brownsville?
Tony Zavaleta: Because Brownsville is unique among American cities, it has tremendous potential for tourism. If you don’t believe that, you should! Tourism means millions of dollars in revenue, it means good jobs and it means citizens being able to take pride in a city that shines as a sought-after destination. And while the city has made strides over the years, I believe that there is much more that can be done.
As a City Commissioner for District 4, I would make the driving of tourism of Brownsville one of my top priorities. From large initiatives like eco-tourism to more modest revenue generators like historical walking tours of downtown, tourism is a large subject and covers many ideas, both large and small. For Brownsville to truly flourish we need to take full advantage of our geographic location, historical significance and vibrant culture.
Every year about this time, families around the state and nation are making their summer vacation plans and decisions. Gas prices being what they are, vacationing in South Texas and South Padre Island is looking like a very attractive option to many in Texas.
In addition to Island venues, Brownsville is missing out on the tourism dollar by not fully developing and advertising the historical and cultural heritage located in and around the city. The Battle of Palo Alto National Battlefield Site has been developed, but what about the Fort Brown original earthen site and the post-Civil War buildings at UTB?
What about the historic buildings in downtown Brownsville, our two historical museums and our fine art museum? Who is promoting them?
All of the historical and cultural material needed to support tourism has been developed, but I believe we need to spend more time and resources on converting academic work into tourism material.
El Rrun Rrun: Tony, Brownsville seems to have no idea about how to develop its economy. If elected, what are your thoughts on jump-starting Brownsville economy?
Tony Zavaleta: I firmly believe that Brownsville must develop economic prosperity by looking to the future, not the past. At least one other candidate for City Commissioner, District 4 has repeatedly stated that because Brownsville has a cheap labor pool, we should continue to bring low paying jobs to our community. I SAY NO! That is a failed mentality of the past, and as Brownsville City Commissioner for District 4, I would promote economic development that utilizes an aggressive and forward thinking approach.
I believe that Brownsville's future economic prosperity can be guaranteed by synchronizing with new technologies such as renewable and sustainable energy. Industries developed around those technologies are the future of Texas, the border, and hence, Brownsville.
Additionally, I believe we must educate and train our youth for work in developing sectors of the economy, such as the social services, especially in health care.
Other new economic sectors that Brownsville should embrace include hospitality and eco/heritage tourism, to name just a couple. Through these and other actions we can ensure a prosperous economic future for the city we love. Brownsville has never really established itself as a true tourist destination. As City Commissioner for District 4, I would change that.
Our city happens to lie between South Padre Island and Matamoros, but tourists have little or no reason to stop in Brownsville. Imagine Brownsville, for example, becoming a major tourist destination for kayakers, canoers, birders and enthusiasts of history and Hispanic culture. Consider the potential. These and other attractive activities could constitute completely new industries for Brownsville, and not insignificant ones.
The April 2011 issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine describes how micro-venues such as canoeing in Luling or water sports in Port Aransas have etched out specific outdoor economies in those communities, producing both jobs and millions of dollars for spin-off businesses like restaurants and guiding services. We are lucky enough to already have the natural resources to build these types of industries around... let's utilize them!
Brownsville simply requires the will and the leadership to organize these and other new economic sectors. Eco and heritage tourism are fast growing and prosperous industries that I believe have tremendous potential for our community.
I believe that Brownsville needs a downtown entertainment district, and as City Commissioner for District 4, I would work hard to see that district developed. I would begin by proposing the city take a six square block area in the heart of downtown and create a cultural-historic overlay district, or, possibly, a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ).
The city could create ordinances that control use, while also providing incentives for entrepreneurs to start businesses which cater to culture, history and entertainment.
Why shouldn't Brownsville be the hub for live music in South Texas? Why can't we develop locally owned theme restaurants and venues that attract families? Why shouldn't we develop our own river walk, and eventually coordinate with Matamoros for a similar safe corridor just across the river?
We should accomplish all of these things and many more. I believe that this economic zone would attract international attention and tourists to our community, create hundreds of jobs, and ultimately allow many of our downtown building to be redeveloped. The city could coordinate with Texas Southmost College and the Texas Workforce Commission for a Hospitality degree at TSC, and so on.
Of course, these are just a few of the many ideas that could go into the development of a downtown entertainment district, but I hope you can begin to see the tremendous potential that such a district could have for our community.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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rita
5 comments:
Zavaleta surely hasn't thought out what he proposes. Again, he is letting his mouth overload his ass here. A moratorium on parking meters merely means that shop owners and employees will get the spaces and visitors to the downtown area will have no place to park. This issue shows that he either seldom goes downtown or he wishes to give the shop owners free parking. Most cities with vibrant downtown areas get that way because investors make it happen. Tony has no plan, he is just shooting from the hip (as usual) and he would have but one vote on the city commission. As usual, he thinks he is an expert on all things....but he's not.
Tony Zavaleta is a DICK!
This comes from the man who said "Corruption is a part of the Mexican culture and we should just accept it". Does that mean corruption will be a part of his plan as commissionner?
"Does that mean corruption will be part of his plan as commissioner?"
No, that it not what he meant. Think about it this way, is corruption NOT a part of the Latin Mexican culture? Of course not, to believe that is disingenuous, it is what it is.
Corruption is rampant in the culture and we should recognize it as so and that it can't be wished away. Realizing that it is a part of life and the culture, allows us the opportunity to strategize ways of minimizing it.
Just one man's opinion.
CORRUPTION, LIMAS, CORRUPTION, MARTINEZ, CORRUPTION, CAMARILLO, CORRUPTION, ZAYAS, CORRUPTION, RODRIGO, CORRUPTION, VILLALOBOS, CORRUPTION, LIMAS, CORRUPTION LUCIOS.
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