EXTENT OF MASSIVE CAPITOL THEATER ROOF COLLAPSE REVEALED: THREE MONTHS AFTER, HISTORIC BUILDING STILL LIES IN RUINS

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Special to El Rrun-Rrun

When we first reported on the roof collapse of the historic Capitol Theater last May 23, we were told that the damage was minor and that the city crews would fix it presently and in short order. Put a tarp over the hole and repair in-house. No biggie.

Well, now we know different. As can be seen in these photos sent to us by one of our eight readers, contrary to the assurances by city officials and elected officials the damage was massive and appears to be the result of rusted steel and cross beams giving way to the weight of a huge antique air conditioning unit on the heavy wooden roof.

To those of us who went to Saturday morning movies there, the entrance on Levee Street can be seen in the far center of the bottom photo below the concrete balcony. 

City workers barricaded 11th Street from Levee in case the compromised integrity of the structure could lead to the collapse of the walls and crush cars or pedestrians on the sidewalk. But it's been three months already and we're in the middle of hurricane season. 

It's interesting to note that the wall facing 11th Street bears the $25,000 BTX mural paid by the Elon Musk Foundation which was "vandalized" by Beka Hinojosa when she scribbled graffiti protesting the gentrification of downtown. 

We always crow about our historical wealth, but don't seem to place any value in it, content to let it crumble around us. The University of Texas at the Rio Grande Valley just announced it is considering spending $47 million to buy, restore, and transform the Majestic Theater, which dates back to 1948.

The Capitol, which is owned by the city, opened in 1928 and is located one block away from the Majestic, which itself is across Elizabeth Street fro City Hall.

Ironically, the $17 million renovation of the historic El Jardin Hotel has started across the street from the Capitol building with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2024, according to records filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

When downtown rel-estate mogul Abraham Galonsky donated the theater to the City of Brownsville back in December 2016, and Musk the mural, they probably meant it to be a public attraction, not a public hazard. Where's the $100,000 that the city commision allocated to fix that roof when George Ramirez was alive?

We do have a city commission and a well-paid city manager, don't we? Three months seems a wee bit derelict. Six years is abandonment.

Below is a rendering of the planned revitalization of both El Jardin and the Capitol posted by the Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts on their page that hasn't happened up to now.

It was included in the BSPA's planned Entertainment District but the $10 million set aside for its revitalization was hijacked by then-city commissioner Dr. Joe Zavaletta and funneled to the Sports Park. Typically, the park was supposed to cost $10 million but ballooned to $20 million.

Given its current condition as a result of the city's neglect, will its revitalization ever come true?