Plaza de Armas building to undergo major makeover

Call it Extreme Makeover: Historic Edition.

The Plaza de Armas building, built in 1865, is due for an $8.4 million renovation that includes interior and exterior upgrades, new audio/visual studios for the city, and gallery and retail/restaurant space.

The building which is actually four interconnected structures is located just west of City Hall next to the Spanish Governor's Palace.

What we really want to do is put them back into use with some city functions, with some retail space, and also some art gallery and cultural activity space, said Mike Frisbie, director of the capital improvements department.

Fort Worth-based Byrne Construction Services was awarded the design-build contract at the City Council meeting Thursday.

The renovation is scheduled to begin in August and wrap in November 2013.

In all, the building contains 41,000 square feet of useable space.

The scope of the project includes major roof work, new heating and air-conditioning systems, and new electrical/mechanical/plumbing systems.

Fruit Fusion, a smoothie shop on the North Side, is in discussions with the city to move into the planned restaurant space facing Dolorosa Street.

The northern end of the building, flush with the Spanish Governor's Palace, would contain community space that could be used as an art gallery.

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Plaza de Armas building to undergo major makeover