Multi-million-dollar project to restore Plaza Theater still idle, but plans progressing

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A multi-million-dollar project meant to restore a city landmark remains idle; however, City of Laredo officials say plans are coming along.

Jennifer Reyes, who works at a store in downtown Laredo next to the Plaza Theater, is eagerly awaiting the theater’s reopening.

“I’m assuming it’s gonna be a little work, but definitely worth it,” Reyes said. “It’s been abandoned. I get it. it’s going to be hard but it’s definitely going to be worth it.”

The 77-year-old building has been idle for the past 32 years. Reyes believes that renovating it into a new theater could help boost business downtown.

“I think it will be a pretty cool idea because downtown, I think since COVID, has been pretty dead. It’s been really slow for the businesses here downtown. I work right here so, it would bring a lot of people downtown and I guess the businesses will be back up and running,” Reyes added.

The plans to renovate the cinema into a movie palace and multi-use center were initiated in 2021 by the City Council. The purpose is to use it for movie screenings and even concerts.

“We could maximize the use of the Plaza Theater not just inside as a multipurpose theater, performing arts, meeting rooms, and events center but we could also use the outside for street parties, events, or even films that we had on the outside,” said Tina Martinez, Community Development Director for the City of Laredo.

Martinez says they are in the process of finalizing the construction plans.

“We are hoping that in the next month or so, we will have those finalized. We can go out for bid and that’s a big milestone for that project. Going out for bid will now truly give us a price for what we want to happen in this building and from there, of course, we’ll require council action to approve the project and we can start construction before the end of the year,” she said.

Since the inception of the project, over $12 million have been approved, much of which has not been used. Martinez says the funds have been set aside for the construction.

“There is money secured for the project. They haven’t been invested yet. We have it secured for the project in hopes that the construction contract comes in at the amount that we have funding for,” Martinez said.

City of Laredo Engineer Ramon Chavez says once the construction plans have been finalized, they will start working to make sure the building is up to code.

“It will be a total rehabilitation. Not only from the mechanical and electrical and plumbing aspect but also ADA, Fire Code and all requirements, so that at the end of the day it’s a safe building,” Chavez said.

To the moviegoers and theater fans who are waiting for their feature presentation, Chavez says by 2025 construction should start.

“I can assure you that the project is coming. We feel that we’re very close to it becoming a reality. We know the historic value that this theater has for many residents in the community. Once it starts, I think the public will be happy that it’s coming to fruition,” Chavez said.

According to Chavez, the public could see the building up and running by 2026.

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