Texas First Lady Anita Perry joined the Texas Historical Commission (THC) for the Texas Main Street Program's First Lady's Tour, an annual event that brings excitement and exposure to downtown communities across the state. The tour celebrated the designation of the Streets of Laredo Urban Mall Association as an official 2008 Texas Main Street City.
"Growing up in a small town, I know the vital role downtown plays in a community," said Perry. "Being a Main Street city means citizens recognize that downtown is still the heart and soul of their community."
Mrs. Perry was part of a ceremony that included participation from local elementary and high school students, local and state officials. The Texas First Lady was also presented with a children's book, "Ten in the Bed" by Anne Geddes, which will be given in her name to the Laredo Public Library.
In addition, Mrs. Perry unveiled a conceptual architectural rendering of a possible façade rehabilitation project. Mrs. Perry gave the keynote address at the ceremony and unveiled the first architectural rendering for the possible downtown renovation, the M.S. Rodriguez Building.
The M.S. Rodriguez Building, located on the northwest corner of Hidalgo and San Agustin Avenue, was built in the 1870s. In the early 1950s, the building came into the stewardship of Marcelino & Evelyn Rodriguez. Together, they established and ran what was to become certainly one of the most colorful and successful enterprises ever in downtown Laredo: the ABC Music Store at 1002 Hidalgo Street. Over the next 30 years, the ABC Music Store became a hub for music and pop culture for South Texas and Mexico. Although the sounds of music no longer ring out at the M.S. Rodriguez buildings, the original blue neon clock, with ABC Music Store on it, is still working.
This event was sponsored by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), the Texas Historical Commission, the Texas Main Street Program, Faskin Oil and Ranch, LTD, and was hosted by the Streets of Laredo Urban Mall Association, the City of Laredo, and the Laredo Center for the Arts.
