Uvalde Hesperian

Local Citizen’s Foundation presents ambitious project to revitalize West Side: a Community Center on the Robb Elementary School site

admin

The 19.3 acre Robb Elementary School site Picture credit: Google Maps

Foundation presents plan for a new Community Center on the 19.3 acre Robb School site while listening to the Robb Victims’ Family Members on plans for a Memorial on the school grounds,

Lalo Castillo on a vist to Washington D.C.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: Lalo Castillo speaking at a convention at UTSA.

Lalo Castillo, the founder and Chairman of the Empowerment of Community and Action Foundation along with its members presented their vision to bring a Community Center, Inc to the Uvalde CISD Trustees at Monday Night’s July 15th, School Board meeting.

The organization was founded on May 17, 2023.

Castillo informed the Uvalde CISD Trustees have two architects on board for who are willing to plan the new Center: Michael Benedikt ACSA Distinguished Professor of Architecture and Craig Dykers, who was the architect for the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in New York City.

In order to proceed with additional fund raising for the project the Castillo and the Foundation had requested the school board provide a memorandum of understanding, inorder for the foundation to proceed in its fund raising efforts. SuperintendentAshley Chohlis and the school board trustees  asked the Foundation to provide them with a written MOI by Monday, July 23rd for them to consider.

Castillo and approximately a dozen local citizens who are part of the Foundation believe that a Community Center located on the West Side of Uvalde would not only revitalize that area of town but also the entire city. He said,” A lot of research has been done to get the project this far,” He also stated a year and a half of work has been put into this project.

Uvalde CISD Trustees comments:

Uvalde CISD Trustee Jaclyn Gonzales

Uvalde CISD Trustee Jaclyn Gonnzales voiced her concerns stating the community input is needed to assess (the project).  “I’m interested to see if you’ve done any surveys.”

“It’s such a sensitive site,”Gonzales said.

One of the foundation’s representatives answered saying, “Mellie (Nava) is working on a community survey.”

Gonzales also said, ” If anything can be repurposed or nothing can,we need to know how the families feel.”

Uvalde CISD Trustee JJ Suarez said, “I agree with Trustee Gonzales.  We need to do what is best for the community.”

Uvalde CISD Trustee Jesse Rizo said, “I’m an Uncle and cannot speak for the moms and dads. It’;s such a sacred place; it’s so hard.”

Uvalde CISD Trustee Jesse Rizo

Castillo answered saying, “When talking about the Center we are not talking about where the children were located.” He was referring to not talking about the classroom where the tragedy occurred.

The Uvalde Heperian spoke with Castillo by phone.

He said the auditorium alone would be more similar to the Majestic Theater in San Antonio than the John H. Harrell Auditorium located at the High School.

If provided the green light from Uvalde CISD, the Foundation ultimately would like the district to provide a 75 year lease for the Robb School grounds, Mellie Nava said.

Castillo said, “The property belongs to the citizens of Uvalde.”

 

 

The Centro de Los Angeles Community Center

“The Centro de Los Angeles would consist of the following:

  1. Construct a multi-service community center at the Robb Elementary site.
  2. small classroom for (tutoring, advanced intelligence (AI) lab, by AI software company on the East Coast, advanced science, robotics computer lab, advanced mathematics, entrepreneurship, volunteer students) and paid qualified instructors.
  3. Civics education for students and adults. To provide citizens with an understanding of the mechanics of democracy, our rights, and freedoms, and it is important to exercise one’s rights.
  4. parent engagement
  5. adult education (GED)
  6. mental health counseling
  7. small auditorium with a stage, lighting, and sound.
  8. small historical museum.
  9. law enforcement office
  10. Youth athletic center

Basketball court

Weight room fully equipped.

Small indoor running track (YMCA St, Mary’s Street San Antonio).

Handball and Racquetball court.

Dining room with cafeteria (nutritionist and staff) to provide hot meals for elderly and students.

  1. Swimming pool with partial shade
  2. Teachers and staff will be paid competitive wages.
  3. The building will include the latest security available designed and installed by national security experts.
  4. Annual fundraising projects are being developed for continuing operating expenses.”

History of the Foundation:

“After the mass school shooting at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022, Abelardo Castillo invited a core group of community members to begin the work of seeking, not only accountability for the tragic event but also finding a means by which the community of Uvalde can better serve the social and economic needs of its citizens, who are 85% Hispanic.  ECA was founded on the premise that we can best serve those needs by leveraging community resources and providing foundational support for children and families in our community.  We seek to accomplish the mission and vision of ECA through collaborative partnerships with government entities, civic organizations, and community members who serve and live in Uvalde.  Organizations and individuals that have a vested interest in creating a brighter and safer future for all citizens of Uvalde, Texas.”

Exit mobile version