SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL
The San Marcos City Council voted on Sept. 2 to approve a contract to repair portions of the historic Dunbar School Home Economics Building at 801 Martin Luther King Drive.
Later this month, Western Specialty Contractors will begin construction to repair portions of the building. The work will include replacement of the existing metal roof, repair or in-kind replacement of missing or severely deteriorated wood siding and window repairs. The project is expected to be completed in approximately 60 days, weather permitting.
“The Home Economics Building is a key part of our city’s history,” said Historic Preservation Officer Alison Brake. “After a review of the scope of work and consultation with the contractors, we are confident that these repairs will help to preserve the building’s integrity and ensure the site remains a meaningful part of the Dunbar neighborhood for future genera- tions.”
The City of San Marcos was awarded a $150,000 grant to complete the repair work. This project is supported by a grant from the American Express “Partners in Preservation” program, a partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Express Foundation.
Restoration of the building is planned in three phases. Phase I, completed in May 2024, focused on stabilizing the pier and beam foundation. Phase II, currently underway, focuses on roof and siding repairs to protect the building envelope. Phase III will address interior restoration once funding is available and public input has been gathered on the best future use of the facility.
The Home Economics Building was part of the San Marcos Colored School campus that served African American students until public school desegregation in 1955. To learn more about its history, visit www.sanmarcostx. gov/dunbar.
Photo courtesy the City of San Marcos
