The Downtown Renaissance Continues: The Samano Security Building

By Diego Garcia III | Editor of The Brownsville Beacon

Along with the BHA's recent acquisition of the Hotel El Jardin and the renovation of other buildings like the Botica Lofts, downtown is poised to become a thriving residential community in addition to a successful entertainment district.

Downtown Brownsville has another historic building slated for rejuvenation as affordable housing and a much needed shopping spot.

It started out its life as the First National Bank of Brownsville. The five-story red brick building has stood on the corner of East Elizabeth and 12th Streets since the Jazz Age. Most recently, its first floor was home to a Payless Shoe store. It had many lives before that, including a pharmacy, Manpower, and several other types of offices.

However, after Payless shut its doors, the building stood abandoned for years; another beautiful example of early 20th century American architecture simply rotting away on another Main Street, USA.

But now thanks to the efforts of the City of Brownsville, the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, the San Antonio-based National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a handful of other sponsors and government agencies, the Samano Security Building will be repurposed and given new life.

The multi-million dollar project includes renovations which will bring a much needed grocery store ever since San Antonio based HEB decided to close one of its oldest stores a few blocks away from the Samano Building. A coffee shop and office space is also in the works. Also included in the plans are three floors worth of affordable living units.

Mix in the affordable housing units the Hotel El Jardin renovation is supposed to add to the downtown cityscape, and we're witnessing a major infusion of life into the downtown area.

Where the university failed to reinvigorate downtown by growing its enrollment to the point where students would need a place to live, the city, and various other civic organizations appear to be on their way to succeed.

If the "if you build it, they will come" mentality contunues, not only will the Downtown Brownsville Entertainment District continue to grow, but residents of the new Samano Studios & Armand's Grocery complex, the El Jardin housing complex, and the Botica Lofts on East Adams Street will need places to eat and shop. Maybe the new residential spaces will prompt the renovation of the Capitol or Majestic theaters.

These housing complexes could be the beginning of a legitimate downtown rebirth.

Imagine row after row of restaurants, watering holes, theaters, eateries, and shops providing everything from vintage records to clothing.

Today several community leaders, along with the organizations involved in the project, were treated to a tour of the Samano Building. Several vintage light fixtures still remained on the ceiling of what was once the building's second floor cafe. The guests were also taken up to the roof where plans call for a rooftop garden.

With all of the hypothetical success SpaceX and other pie-in-the-sky projects are supposed to bring to Cameron County and Brownsville, it is refreshing to see real concrete projects are moving forward in downtown.

Downtown was once the heart and soul of Brownsville. Our fair city has relinquished that once great distinction to another part of town. Brownsville's heart has been transplanted just north of Ruben Torres Boulevard along the frontage road down to Alton Gloor. 

It appears Old Brownsville wants its life back. Hopefully thanks to the vision of forward thinking organizations, downtown will reclaim its rightful place as Brownsville's crown jewel.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Downtown Brownsville will shine bright once again.

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