Laredo, Texas— Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced a $750,000 federal earmark he secured to support the renovation and restoration of Laredo’s historic Plaza Theatre. The project will consist of accessibility improvements, roof repairs, restroom code updates, light repairs, and mural restorations. The theater will also be converted into a multi-purpose facility that will be used for school and university performances, business conferences, and other entertainment events.  

The project will create good paying jobs in the surrounding area and provide economic opportunities for many of the city’s low-income residents. Restoring and rehabilitating the theater is a cornerstone of the City of Laredo’s efforts to revitalize downtown.

“This project, the restoration of the Plaza Theater, has been a priority in our community for a long time and it makes me happy to be able to contribute to the project by securing this federal earmark,” said Congressman Cuellar, a senior member on the House Appropriations Committee. “It is important that we preserve a building like the Plaza Theater because of its symbolic importance to the community. The restoration of this theater is also an essential step to spurring economic development in downtown Laredo. I want to thank Mayor Pete Saenz and the Laredo City Council for their leadership at the front of this project which means so much to our community.”  

“The City of Laredo has been working for years to restore this downtown gem. This funding will help not only with restoration but also with the construction to convert the Plaza Theater into a multi-use facility for our community,” said Mayor Pete Saenz.

Built 1947 and located at 1018 Hidalgo Street, the Plaza Theater is an Art Modern style building with an area of 15,253 feet with two seating areas–900 seats in the lower section and 490 seats in the balcony.

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