By Juan Montoya
One of our eagle-eyed seven readers pointed out to us that we had missed an important contributor to Hizzoner, Da Mayor Tony Martinez's campaign.
We had noted that LNG promoters Ray and Hunt Hunter, of Dallas, had donated $5,000 each to Tone, and we suppose that they would want a little something in return, like perhaps support in their future endeavors in the energy industry around South Texas.
But what we hadn't noticed was Carlos Varela's $2,500 contribution. Who is Varela?
We have been told that it's none other than the son-in-law of Origo Works owner Javier Huerta. You remember Origo Works. It's the architectural company that has done lot of work for the mayor's office and businesses.
Huerta is said to have attended St.Joseph Academy with one of Martinez's kids. Origo works was also the company whose inclusion, according to the architects in charge of the expansion of the Brownsville south Padre Island International $50 million face lift, increased the cost a bit. Originally, the project was estimated to cost around $38 million, but a tweak here and a tweak there ballooned the cost.
Among some of the "tweaks" was the federal government's requirements for more space for its customs and security services. But a nice chunk of it was Martinez's insistence with the company that Origo Works be hired to provide the local touch. This, according to a letter sent to the airport manager, not only increased the cost, but also delayed the implementation of the project for months.
The funny thing, though, is that when the letter got to the city, the offending paragraph outlining the mayor's interference on behalf of Origo Works was deleted. How and why has never been explained since an identical letter without the paragraph made its way into the commissioners' packet.
That, however, has changed and now the terminal is now planned for 85,000 square feet and the FIS areas to 23,000 square feet. The additional design and architectural work will increase the fees by CH2MHILL by $850,925.00, bringing ti from the original $1,650,000 to $2,500,925.00, which represents approximately 6.6 percent of the estimated construction value.
"The other item that has caused additional design and management effort is the coordination with our local architect, Origo Works," wrote James Kirshbaum, the engineer for CH2MHILL.
"As requested by the mayor, we engaged Origo Works to help incorporate "local" architectural features and elements into the original design. This effort extended the conceptual design phase of the project by approximately five months, resulting in significant additional efforts by CH2M, Corgan and Origo Works."(See graphic at top right. Click to enlarge.)
It's worth noting that the offending paragraph in Kirshbaum's letter (circled in yellow in the graphic) was removed when it was presented to the city commission.
(See graphic at right. Click to enlarge.)
Except for the paragraph dealing with the mayor's interference, both letters are identical, including the date, Sept, 21, 2017. Did Kirshbaum write the two letters the same day? Or was the sanitized letter tampered with?
It is also worth noting that no one has filed a complaint against the mayor for tampering with a government document as they did when commissioner Jessica Tetreau tried to correct the vote on the appointment of a new member of the GBIC.
And less than three month later (Feb. 6, 2018), Da Mayor was at it again. Origo Works was refurbishing a building to set up shop along the frontage road but there was a snag. It did not have enough parking space as required by the city. Without it, as many other would-be business people know, the permits would be denied and no business could take place.
But not to worry, there's where knowing Tony pays off. The firm lists work done on the mayor's businesses, including Spanky's Burgers and Rincon de la Paz off Palm Boulevard on their website. Both businesses list their principal as Martinez, and list his law firm's address at 1206 E. Van Buren Street as their mailing address.
The Feb. 6 agenda item placed by Engineering (not Tony?) reads: Consideration and ACTION to execute a License Agreement between the City of Brownsville and Origo Works Properties, LLC. (Engineering).
In exchange, Origo Works will build a parking lot, fence, and maintain it for the next five years with one-year options for renewals.
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Commented one of our readers:
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"The free give-away of city land to Origo Works for parking spaces with no consideration for the existing six business entities affected by this license agreement shows no mercy. These six businesses will no longer be able to access the rear of their buildings including the garbage collections via the alleyway which will be replaced by the relocated hike & bike trail.
No notice to the owners no due diligence by the planning & zoning or building permits department including the engineering department. WHAT IS GOING ON?"
It seems pretty simple to us. If you scratch Martinez's back, he will scratch yours. But if you're a regular city taxpayer, check your wallet after you shake his hand or kiss his ring.
In this case, it seems that Varela is just priming the pump to keep his father-in-law's business in Da Mayor's good graces.
"The free give-away of city land to Origo Works for parking spaces with no consideration for the existing six business entities affected by this license agreement shows no mercy. These six businesses will no longer be able to access the rear of their buildings including the garbage collections via the alleyway which will be replaced by the relocated hike & bike trail. No notice to the owners no due diligence by the planning & zoning or building permits department including the engineering department. WHAT IS GOING ON?"
It seems pretty simple to us. If you scratch Martinez's back, he will scratch yours. But if you're a regular city taxpayer, check your wallet after you shake his hand or kiss his ring.
In this case, it seems that Varela is just priming the pump to keep his father-in-law's business in Da Mayor's good graces.