mc) mm EAGLE PASS, TEXAS PRESIDENTIAL SQUARE ftl •u' V ^ •*/•" AN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT FIDEL R. DELS ADO I ARCHITECTURE THESIS ISBO TEXAS TECH UIMIVERSIT LUBBOCK .TEXAS M •» 1 ai To my very patience, lovely, and understanding wife, I dedicate this thesis. Table of Contents Part One i. Introduction II. Background III. Project Statement I\y. Activity Analysis V/. Bite Analysis yyi. Space Summary V/II. Cost'-Analysis l/III. Systems Performance Criteria IX. Detail Space List X. Case Studies XI. Bibliography Part two II. Modification to Program II. Planning and Design III, Caluylations IW. slides Introduction The selection of my thesis project was based relationship between the adjacent f^xican city of on the needs that exist in many Mexican American Piedras PJegras and Eagle Pass will be established communities of Texas. My cultural background gave and discussed. me an insight into the problems that are faced by The topic of the thesis is the revitalization the modern Mexican Americans. Much of the archi­ of the Central Business District of Eagle Pass. tecture designed for predominant use by Mexican This urban project will attempt to restore an Americans has failed , both socially and function­ under-active commercial district by increasing its ally. The failures can be attributed to the ab­ usefulness. Expansion of activities that occur in sence of knowledge and/or interest , shown by the the project area will be recommended. The project designers, regarding Mexican American lifestyles will be fitted into the general scheme of the city and customs. Previous designs for Mexican Amer­ of Eagle Pass and the lifestyles of its inhabitants, icans have been based on stereotyped and invali­ dated assumptions. In order to attempt an urban and architectural design for predominantly Mexican American use, this thesis will explore and analyze significant ele­ ments in the Mexican American culture. The most recent social science research available will be investigated to uncover the underlying behavioral motivations,present within the Mexican American group. The social structure of the Mexican Ameri­ can, including the organization of the ethnic neighborhood and community network will be ex­ plored. The subject of this thesis project is Eagle Pass, Texas, a city on the Rio Grande border. The Q Z 3 i 8 i ID Initial Identification of PJeeds Official recognition of the need to revital­ vate and governmental entities required the selec­ ize the central business district of Eagle Pass, tion of a target area to be revitalized. The first Texas was established on June 21, 1979, upon the idea that the council conceived was to convert Main formation of the Urban Center Renovation Council. Street into a pedestrian mall. This typical The council oonsists of the mayor, city manager, approach to downtown revitalization, though popu­ director of community development and five down­ lar, does not always achieve its intended goal in town businessmen. The council established as a all situations, and may even have adverse effects. primary need, the maintenance of a strong viable The Comminity Development Director and other downtown that would be competitive with the pro­ downtown businessmen have recommended alternative posed shopping mall to be located on the east sites for redevelopment. A site mentioned in the fringes of the city limits. Eagle Pass Comprehensive Plan was the land located The council recognized at the onset that with in the Adams Street Area (see map ). In there are limiting factors that can affect the the course of doing field work, it was noted that successful outcome of a redevelopment plan: land within the Adaros Street and Jefferson Street (1) The cost of implementation is greater than areas was under-utilized. After consultations with the ability of private or governmental sources city officials, it was determined that the latter to finance; (2) Planning and implementation site, as laid out by city government officials, activities are done by different organizations, was ai excellent choice for a target area. probably creating a credibility gap. These ba­ The Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce also recog­ sic flaws were eliminated by restricting rede­ nized the potential and strongly endorsed the idea velopment activities to a specific level or of redeveloping the Adams and Jefferson Street target area. The Urban Center Renovation Council Area, as a site for a revitalization project. The was charged with both planning and implementation Chiawber of Commerce President, Rolando Perez, fur­ respgnsibilities. ther recommended that this site be considered for Limited financial resources of both pri­ a new Chamber of Commerce facility. STATE OF TEXAS LOCATION MAP LUUBOD l tmA III riMnccMnino* i \% ft rwitrwa ^ SAN ANTONY mnon* \ Mjwn EAGLE PASS m / •Tuvpo 1 MILES 50 100 150 r KILOMETERS 100 200 BROWNSVILLE u aDDDDDDDCjnQDnaDnnnnn ^-2.tib=^HHbi'--''-'>—''-''--''-''--''--''--''--'L-JLJLJUULJLJLJLJLJLJLJsJuaDDDDnDDDDDannnDDDnnnDDDnJ EAGLE PASS CITY CENTER PRESIDEIMTIAL SQUARE LOCATION MAP Main Street r c o Q: ^ Rio Grande Street ^ Garrison International Bridge Border Entry Station PT SCALE: 200 ESCALA: \00 1530 n I. Physiography The physiography of an area refects its physical form and structure. It is often in­ dicative of a community's character and of its future development potentialities. Eagle Pass, in Maverick County, is in the northwestern part of the Rio Grande Plains in Texas. The county has an area of 1,289 square miles, or 824,960 acres. Climate Maverick County has a subtropical steppe climate characterized by mild winters and hot summers. Temperature: The warm season in Eagle Pass averages 286 days. The average dates of freeze-free days range from February 21 through Illustration 1. A winter view of Eagle Pass as December 3. The average daily maximum temper­ seen from the northeast sector of the city ature in the coldest month, January, is 64.3 Jan Feb Mar Oct degrees Farenheit, The average daily maximum temperature in the warmest month, July, is 10D. 8 degrees Farenheit. Precipitation: More than three-fourths of the average annual precipitation occurs in and between the months of April to October . Rainfall is most often associated with thunder­ storm activity. The total annual precipitation ^^ average is 19.52 inches per year- Records 20 Mean Temp since 1650 show annual totals ranging from solar cooling devices could be very effective in 44.36 inches in 1900 to only 6.01 inches in this area of the country. 1956. On rare occasions, weak tropical depres­ Topography and Drainage: The relief of sions move inland along the Rio Grande or thro r^verick County ranges from nearly level to rolling. through northern Mexico. The flood of 1954, w Large areas in the northcentral part of the county which inundated Eagle Pass, was caused by such and scattered areas throughout the rest of the a tropical depression. county are nearly level. A narrow band of rolling Uinds: Prevailing winds are southeasterly soil along the breaks parallel the flood plain of during the entire year. Cold periods in winter the Rio Grande. Scattered areas of rolling soils are ushered in by strong, dry, often dusty, also exist in the southern part of the county. northerly and northwesterly winds that may Between these areas of nearly level soils and cause sudden drops in temperature. These winds rolling soils are large areas of undulating soils. normally last for a day or two. During the The elevations in the county vary from 540 feet Summer season, the steady southeasterly breezes above sea level in the southern part to 960 feet alleviate the discomfort commonly associated above sea level in the northern part. Drainage in with high temperatures. the counly is bout equally divided between the Rio Humidity: The average daily relative hu­ Grande in the west and the IMueces River in the east. midity is about 55 percent during the summer. Soil: In general, the immediate ground sur­ Evaporative air conditioners are effective face of Eagle Pass is composed of a light brownish- about 65% of the time during July and August. gray, very fine sandy loam about 14 inches thick. Winter weather is usually mild and dry. The next layer, about 32 inches thick, is pale Sunshine: Sunshine averages about 75/o of brown, very friable, very fine sandy loam. The the possible total. Spring and Autumn are underlying material is very pale brown, very fine very pleasant seasons in Maverick County. Gen­ sandy loam with thin strata of slightly darker ma­ erally, days are mild and nights are cool. terial. There are a few more prevalent in Spring. Sum­ Surface runoff is medium , and the hazard of mers in Eagle Pass are hot and arid. Use of erosion is moderate. This gently sloping soil is on stream terraces along the Rio Grande. Uildlife and Plants: The main types of wildlife in f'laverick County are white-tailed deer, turkey,.javelina, bobwhite quail, scaled (blue) quail, morning dove, white-winged dove, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit and numerous kinds of nongame birds. Also present are racoon, fox ringtail cats, skunk, opposum, beaver, nutria, and other fur-bearing animals. The predators most commonly found are coyote, bobcat, and a few mountain lions. Intermittent lakes, ponds, streams, and grainfields attract ducks and a few geese during migration. Most of the ponds in the county are stocked with channel catfish, black bass, and sunfish, which provide excellent fishing. Illustration 2. This photo shows the rugged The principal plants that grow well in the nature of the environment on which Eagle Pass soil around Eagle Pass include improved bermuda is situated. grass, Johnson grass, and buffalo grass. Man­ agement practices used to secure healthy pas- turelands include fertilization, weed control, and rotation grazing. The cropping system should include crops that protect the soil dur­ ing growing periods and furnish sufficient resi­ due to protect between growing periods.