Historic Casa Ortiz in Laredo to Receive $30,000 Grant for Garden Restoration

The renovation will preserve the home's historic charm while enhancing the outdoor space for community events.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:15pm

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The Laredo Cultural District has received a $30,000 grant to renovate the garden space at the historic Casa Ortiz property in downtown Laredo, Texas. The project will replace the lawn, plant drought-tolerant native plants, and restore on-site fountains to create a soothing, artistic environment that reflects the cultural and natural identity of the space. The renovations are expected to be completed by April, just in time for the monthly Caminarte art walk event hosted at the venue.

Why it matters

Casa Ortiz is a nearly 200-year-old historic landmark in Laredo's small but important historic district. The garden renovation will help preserve the property's historic essence while transforming the outdoor space to better serve the community through events, exhibits, and other cultural programming.

The details

The $30,000 grant from the city of Laredo Outdoor Spaces Grant Program will fund the Casa Ortiz garden renovation project, which is being led by the Laredo Cultural District. The plans include replacing the lawn, planting drought-tolerant native plants, and restoring several on-site fountains to create a more inviting and reflective outdoor space. Casa Ortiz is known for hosting a variety of community events in its courtyard, including poetry open mics, art exhibits, and the monthly Caminarte art walk.

  • The renovation project is expected to be completed by April 2026.
  • Caminarte, Laredo's monthly art walk event, is held on the first Friday of each month at Casa Ortiz.

The players

Casa Ortiz

A historic home in downtown Laredo, Texas that dates back to 1829-1830 and is a classic example of Spanish Colonial architecture.

Laredo Cultural District

The organization leading the renovation of the Casa Ortiz garden space and overseeing the property's use for community events and programming.

Jorge Santana

The director of Creative Operations and creative director of the Laredo Cultural District.

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What they’re saying

“Casa Ortiz is a close to 200-year-old home. It's a historic landmark. We're doing these renovations, keeping in mind the historic aspect of Casa Ortiz and trying to make the house more manageable for what we do — for the uses that we have it for, which is doing events for the community.”

— Jorge Santana, Director of Creative Operations and Creative Director, Laredo Cultural District

“Part of the charm of Casa Ortiz is this garden; it's the soul of the house. When you enter Casa Ortiz, it's a hacienda-style building with the courtyard right at the center. That's where we have our concerts, our events … we have everything in our courtyard.”

— Jorge Santana, Director of Creative Operations and Creative Director, Laredo Cultural District

What’s next

The renovation plans are in the finalization stages, and the work is expected to be completed by April 2026 in time for that month's Caminarte art walk event.

The takeaway

The restoration of the historic Casa Ortiz garden in Laredo's small but important historic district will help preserve the property's cultural heritage while enhancing its role as a community hub for events, exhibits, and other programming that celebrates the city's arts and creativity.