The Lubbock City Council on Thursday will consider an agreement to let Fiestas Del Llano use the Landwer House which the city recently spent roughly $750,000 to renovate. Fiestas would pay a “nominal fee” for the use of the house in Buddy Holly Park.
In a statement earlier this month, City Councilman Victor Hernandez said, “The public will continue to be able to rent the Landwer House for private parties and for public events.”
Hernandez said his proposal would provide space for a Hispanic Heritage and Cultural Arts Center.
Fiestas cannot sublet the house, but it could allow the public to reserve the house for special events, and Fiestas Del Llano would collect the reservation fees according to the wording of the proposal. Council would have final say over the amount of the reservation fees.
Mayor Glen Robertson disagrees with the idea.
Robertson said, “I think it’s a slippery slope if we let non-profits take over city facilities that taxpayers sank a lot of money into them.”
“I also want to make sure this could not be seen as a gift in violation of state law,” Robertson also said.
