City of Brownsville wants local residents to help shape the future of its historic downtown

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville is partnering with Freese and Nichols, Inc., to officially launch the Brownsville Downtown Renaissance Master Plan. 

Daniel Leal, director of planning and redevelopment and downtown at the City of Brownsville, said the master plan marks the beginning of a transformational initiative aimed at revitalizing the City’s historic core. He noted that Brownsville is the second most historic city in Texas. 

“We are harmonizing the old with the new, creating a downtown experience that is more walkable, enjoyable and full of life,” Leal said. “This plan will position downtown as a regional destination for arts, culture, tourism and commerce.”

Leal said his department will be working with Freese and Nichols to host public outreach meetings and on-line surveys so that residents can offer their comments and suggestions, to help the City shape the master plan and the future of downtown. He said this will include community workshops, pop-up events, and surveys targeting residents, local businesses, nonprofit leaders, artists, and students. 

Editor’s Note: Here is a video recording showing highlights from a community information session about the Downtown Renaissance Master Plan that was held at the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025:

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Freese and Nichols is a Texas-based an engineering, design, and planning firm that has worked with the City of Brownsville in the past. The company’s project manager, Caitlin Admire, said there is no doubt in her mind that Downtown Brownsville can be an economic driver for the city as a whole.

“We will be working with the city’s staff and leadership, and the city commission… (to measure) existing assets downtown, what is going on, what has been happening organically downtown, and then look at what the City can be doing from their end, what they can be investing in, to make that a more productive space for private investment,” Admire told the Rio Grande Guardian.

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., said the plan sets forth a long-term vision that prioritizes land use, walkability, housing, parks and public places, infrastructure  upgrades, economic development, parking, and the preservation of the City’s unique architectural, historical, and cultural assets.

“This is about further developing a space where entrepreneurs can come build and operate their business. Residents can come and enjoy a healthy, family outing, and fulfilling experience. And visitors and tourists can come experience Brownsville’s rich culture and history,” Mayor  Cowen said. “We’re not just reimagining down, we’re investing in the future.”

Cowen said the master plan builds upon momentum already visible in the district. By way of example, he referenced the BTX Fiber Broadband Ring, with Downtown representing 25 percent of its footprint; renovation of the Majestic Theater into a UT-Rio Grande Valley Performing Arts Center; the El Jardin affordable housing project, which is expected to welcome families starting in the Fall of 2025; Samano Studios redevelopment, with housing units, a corner grocery store, and rooftop farm; investment in downtown water and wastewater upgrades through ARPA grant funding; historic preservation funding, including Market Square and the San Fernando Building; and enhancements in parking lots and the new courtesy BTX Connect Downtown Circular shuttle. 

The draft of the Downtown Renaissance Master plan is expected to be completed by May 2026, with final adoption anticipated by June 2026.

Editor’s Note: Rio Grande Guardian reporter Daniela Capistran contributed to this story from Brownsville, Texas.

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