|
Rialto association receives
THC tourism grant funds
 |
|
Austin Kremers photo
Saxophone players Shauniece Hadden (left), Trina Valasquez and
Cori Lopez prepare with the rest of the mighty Trojan marching
band for the upcoming football season and band contests. Please
see our Back to School section inside today’s paper. |
- By GARY KENT
Bee-Picayune staff
The Hall-Rialto Preservation Association has been awarded a $5,000 grant
from the Texas Historical Commission as part of its Heritage Tourism
Partnership Grant program.
The local organization was one of seven recipients of $30,000 in grants
recently awarded by the THC for the promotion of the Texas Independence
Trail Region, a 28-county area that stretches from Guadalupe to Brazoria
counties.
The money is earmarked toward helping communities fund products and
projects that enhance visitor experience to cultural and historic sites
and events throughout the trail region.
The Hall-Rialto organization is involved in restoring the historic
Rialto theater in downtown Beeville. The organization recently had a
temporary roof replaced on the building with a permanent roof and plans
to continue restoration of the facility with the intention of turning
into an arts, entertainment and educational center.
“Your organization will receive $5,000 toward the Rialto Theater/Bee
County Heritage Tourism Outreach project,” said Program Specialist
Amber Nuñez of the Heritage Tourism Project in a letter to Barbara
Welder, vice president of the Hall/Rialto organization. “We believe
this project will increase awareness of the historical resources found
in the Texas Independence Trail Region and will strengthen the
region’s desirability as a heritage tourism destination.”
Association board member Dr. John Hester said this week that the Rialto
Theater is one of eight Texas theaters on the National Register of
Historic Places and is considered a Landmark Theater because it was once
the home theater of a chain of theaters.
Hester said the design work for the theater is in good hands. Houston
architect Barry Moore of Gensler Architects will be in charge of that
portion of the project. He is the same architect who did the design work
for the restoration of the Majestic Theater in San Antonio.
According to a THC news release, the money granted to the Hall/Rialto
project will be used to fund projects, including the development of a
brochure and Web site to promote the historic theater.
Other grants went to the Galveston Historical Foundation, San Antonio
Living History Association, Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, City of
Rosenberg, Palacios Area Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas and
Bellville Historical Society. |
