AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-153R, approving a contract with Western Specialty Contractors, through the Texas Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), to provide building envelope repairs and restoration to the Dunbar Home Economics School in the estimated amount of $133,548.00; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: September 2, 2025
Department: Public Works // City Manager’s Office
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $133,548.00
Account Number: 13392410-56523
Funds Available: Yes
Account Name: NTHP AMEX (National Trust Grant Award)
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Council voted to approve the acceptance of the Amex grant on XXXXX
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Background Information:
The purpose of this item is to make repairs and perform restoration to the San Marcos Colored School Home Economics Building which was formerly part of the historically named San Marcos Colored School (also know as Dunbar School).
This building was utilized for classes at the San Marcos Colored School until desegregation of public schools in 1955. The repairs and restorations include siding repair, roof decking and corrugated tin roof. As the structure is both a local historic landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, staff have ensured that the scope of work remains sensitive to and respectful of its historic character. Following the repair, the building exterior will be painted with a color matched paint as close to the original as possible, guided by analysis provided by the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture’s Architectural Conservation Lab.
The contractor, Western Specialty, has extensive experience working on historical restoration projects. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has provided written approval to the City for Western Specialty to perform the scope of the repairs and restoration as stipulated in the grant agreement.
The funding for this project is provided by the American Express Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Grant by way of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant was originally awarded to the City for restoration of the historically known Old First Baptist Church at 219 W. Martin Luther King Dr. in 2018. On March 1, 2023, City staff sent a letter to the National Trust requesting the reallocation of those grant funds from the Old First Baptist Church to the San Marcos Colored School Home Economics Building, which was then approved by the National Trust on October 11, 2023. While the funding is being directed to a different structure, it will still be invested in ways that support the Dunbar neighborhood and help preserve its heritage and history for future generations.
The restoration and repair of the Dunbar Home Economics Building is being completed in a three (3) phase approach. The first phase was to stabilize the pier and beam foundation. That work was completed in May of 2024. This roof and siding project are phase II with a focus on repairing the building envelope. Phase III will follow in the future with the restoration of the interior spaces when funding is available and following public outreach on the best use of the facility.
Benefits of performing this project include:
- Preservation of historical integrity
- Protection from weather and moisture
- Prevention of rot, corrosion, and interior deterioration
- Investment in the cultural history of the Dunbar neighborhood
- Increased curb appeal
- Boosts the building's value and appeal for tourism
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.