Dear Friends of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation and Association:
I am writing to inform you of a recent development regarding our Texas Ranger Heritage Museum project. The City of Fredericksburg, Texas has served a Notice of Ground Lease Default related to our lease on city owned property (The Texas Ranger Heritage Center). This notice is due to the Foundation’s delay in completing Phase Il construction of the proposed Texas Rangers Heritage Museum on the leased land.
Since the inception of the project, our goal has been to honor the Texas Rangers’ history and legacy through a museum that would serve as both an educational and cultural destination for the community and visitors alike. Unfortunately, a combination of unforeseen challenges, including the Covid 19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes affecting borrowing costs and funding delays and construction complications (including material availability) have impacted our ability to meet the anticipated project timeline.
The City’s action with mayoral and council approval will require the Foundation to abandon this site on or about Dec. 5, 2024, a terrible loss of about $8 million in FTRF improvements to the property.
It’s understandable that this is disappointing news, and I deeply regret any concerns it may raise for those who have supported our mission and vision.
Your support has been, and continues to be, essential to this endeavor.
We are reaching out to keep you informed and assured that we are doing everything within our capacity to resolve this situation responsibly. Should you wish to express your views and support of the Texas Ranger Heritage Center, contact the following:
City Council 830-997-7521
Jeryl Hoover, Mayor JHOOVER@FBGTX.ORG
Randy Briley, Councilmember RBRILEY@FBGTX.ORG
Emily Kirchner, Councilmember (Mayor ProTem) EKIRCHNER@FBGTX.ORG
Tony Klein, Councilmember TKLEIN@FBGTX.ORG
Bobby Watson, Councilmember BWATSON@FBGTX.ORG
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Together, we remain dedicated to bringing this important piece of Texas Ranger history to life.
Sincerely,
Joe B. Davis, President
Texas Ranger, Retired
The following Press Release has sent to media outlets….
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 11, 2024
Contact: Mike Cox
Former Texas Rangers Foundation
texasmikecox@gmail.com
The Former Texas Rangers Foundation (FTRF) has received from the City of Fredericksburg a “Notice of Ground Lease Default” for the municipally owned property off U.S. 290 East on which the completed Phase 1 of the Texas Ranger Heritage Center stands.
“In plain language this means that $8 million in brick and mortar already invested by our non-profit foundation in the completed Phase I of the Ranger Heritage Center, a project that already attracts numerous visitors to Fredericksburg, could be in jeopardy,” said Bill Dante, FTRF board chairman. “The city’s move also places Phase Il, the planned Texas Ranger Museum in limbo.”
In 2011, the city signed a long-term lease with FTRF for 12 acres just off U.S.
290 adjacent to old Fort Martin Scott. Completed in 2016, the Ranger Heritage Center’s first phase includes a 50-foot-tall campanile (bell tower), a concrete Ranger badge 30 feet in diameter surrounded by a Ranger ring of honor, an 8,000-square foot outdoor pavilion and an amphitheater:
The city’s recent action, which according to the city’s website was first discussed in a city council executive session on August 20, would end FTRF’s lease in December:
The council’s agenda for September 17 and October 15 also shows that “Real Estate in the vicinity of US 290E and the Industrial Loop” was discussed.
The FTRF has recently retained legal counsel to provide guidance in resolving this situation responsibly and protecting the foundation’s $8 million-plus private sector Phase I investment.
Since completion of Phase I, the FTRF has worked diligently to raise the necessary funding for Phase Il. In fact, in 2020 the foundation had a construction company on board to start building the museum, but several extenuating factors delayed the project.
“The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the construction industry due to labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and inflation,” FTRF chair Dante said.
“The Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes over the past few years have increased borrowing costs, affecting financing for new projects.”
“While the FTRF has relied on grants, fundraising events and donations, inflation has impacted these revenue sources, delaying funding and subsequent construction of Phase Il, of the state-of-the-art history and educational museum,” noted FTRF President Joe Davis.
Since receiving the notice from the city, the FTRF has attempted-unsuccessfully to present the City Council for public discussion and consideration. a dynamic development plan for the property.
This is a $40 million privately funded plan to underwrite construction of the Ranger museum in conjunction with building an adjacent new hotel. The proposed hotel would not only increase the city’s tax revenue, it would create a one-of-a-kind family-friendly destination that would immerse visitors in the historic culture of Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, and the surrounding Hill Country.
“Our commitment to fulfilling this vision remains unwavering, and we are actively exploring every possible avenue to bring the museum project to completion,” said Former Texas Ranger Association President Matt Lindemann, Texas Ranger Lieutenant, Retired.