Villa Antigua
With the generous commitment of $1.5 million by the Webb County Commissioners Court in 2000, the Foundation embarked on the largest and most ambitious of historic preservation projects in its 22-year history. Located in the heart of the San Agustín National Register District, Villa Antigua will form a downtown hub of historic tourism and education venues that will feature a Border Heritage Museum, a pantheon, artisans' shops, retail and meeting space, and parking.
The project is anticipated to be ready in time for the celebration of Laredo's
250th anniversary in 2005. The project will be located in an area that will eventually
include visitor destinations such as the Republic of the Río Grande Museum, the
Benavides-Herrera Visitors' Center, the restored Plaza Theater, the Laredo Center for
the Arts, the newly restored San Agustín Church Rectory, and the downtown riverfront park.
It is expected to form an anchor for the growing cultural heritage tourism industry in Laredo
and the border region.