Abandoned South Texas School Transforms into Artistic Hub

Expansion of Arts Programs at UTRGV

Arts students at the largest university in deep South Texas are set to benefit from a significant transformation as a $39 million project begins to convert a defunct elementary school into a fine arts complex. This initiative marks a major step in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s (UTRGV) ongoing efforts to expand its presence in Brownsville and Cameron County.

The repurposing of what was once Longoria Elementary School in Brownsville is part of UTRGV’s broader commitment to growing its footprint in the region. The university plans to transform the closed elementary school into the Brownsville Visual Arts Complex, which will serve as an expanded home for the UTRGV School of Art and Design.

Understanding UTRGV

UTRGV is the newest institution within the University of Texas System, established in 2013 following the merger of the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and the University of Texas at Brownsville. Rebranded as UTRGV, the university began enrolling students in 2015. With an enrollment of 34,000, it ranks as the ninth-largest university in Texas.

Since its inception, UTRGV has significantly expanded its physical presence, adding research and teaching sites in Harlingen, Weslaco, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. In 2016, the university opened the first and only medical school in deep South Texas, the UTRGV School of Medicine. In 2022, the School of Podiatric Medicine was introduced, and this fall, UTRGV will begin playing Division I college football for the first time.

Why UTRGV is Renovating an Elementary School

Earlier this year, UTRGV signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Brownsville, demonstrating its dedication to investing more heavily in the community. This agreement builds on prior decisions by the University of Texas System regents, who approved the purchase of Longoria Elementary in February 2024. The Brownsville Independent School District had closed the campus in 2019 due to declining student numbers.

Located on 4.24 acres at 240 E. Van Buren St., the former elementary school will become the permanent home for the School of Art and Design. Currently, the program operates out of a leased building that has reportedly suffered from poor conditions and rodent infestations.

Transformation of Longoria Elementary

Renovation work is expected to start in late September, according to records from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. These plans may change. The filings indicate that UTRGV will spend $21 million to renovate approximately 43,000 square feet across 14 existing buildings and construct two new ones. The project is anticipated to be completed by next year. However, the total cost is likely to exceed initial estimates, based on UTRGV records.

"UTRGV plans to invest $33.8 million in renovations, pending BOR (board of regents) approval," UTRGV officials stated in a news release last May.

Additional Developments in UTRGV's Arts Expansion

The repurposing of Longoria Elementary is just one part of UTRGV's broader strategy to enhance its arts programs. In November 2023, the university also acquired the historic Majestic Theatre in Brownsville's downtown area. The theater will serve as a performance, rehearsal, and instructional space for students, according to a 2023 news release announcing the purchase.

UTRGV continues to make strides in expanding its educational offerings and contributing to the cultural and academic landscape of South Texas. The transformation of Longoria Elementary and the acquisition of the Majestic Theatre exemplify the university’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the arts.