By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members have approved a façade grant for a downtown business.
The council during its Sept. 12 regular meeting approved a resolution to authorize funding in the amount of $3,664.21 from the city’s Main Street Façade Assistance Grant Program to pay for façade improvements at The Skin Clinic, located at 113 Greenwood St.
Mayor Pro-tem Steve Webb made the motion to approve the resolution, and Councilman Jim DeReus gave the second.
In an informational handout provided to the council, Main Street Manager Jorge Garza said The Skin Clinic “offers advanced cosmetic treatments, including full body facials, oxygen facials and micro-needling, as well as semi-permanent treatments including lash extensions, lash lifts and brow laminations.”
Garza also told the council funding the clinic’s request “will assist in the beautification of downtown.” He noted the city’s Main Street Committee had reviewed the application and recommended approval to the city council.
Following the motion to approve the resolution, Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon asked if the property where The Skin Clinic is located falls inside the downtown historic district.
Garza replied that it is located within the historic district, adding the owners of the business have indicated to him they will be keeping the same architectural design as when they began the remodeling.
Calderon asked Garza if he had spoken with the city’s historic design review committee to go over the application with them, and Garza replied he had not spoken with members of the committee.
“The façade application says not to modify the original architectural design, so the design basically stays the same; it’s going to be more modern. . . It’s just going to be painted and have new doors. It’s going to be the same, original architectural design,” Garza told the council.
The owner of The Skin Clinic, Ninfa Garcia, and her daughter Diana Martinez, were in the audience and also addressed the council about the changes they want to make at the clinic.
Garcia said she wants to keep the antique design for the outside of the building, adding she wants to focus on changing and fixing the windows, the front door and the outside lamp, as well as any adding any new hardware that might be needed.
Garcia said she was thankful for the council’s support and said the façade grant will benefit the property.
The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
