LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the City of Luling for repairs to the historic Fritz Zedler House. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, back row, left to right, are: Cal Watts, Zedler Mill Foundation board member; Joshua Farrell, Luling public works director; and Derek Hall, Luling Main Street manager. Middle row, left to right: C.J. Watts, Luling City Council member, Ward 5; Phyllis Hillhouse, director of sales at Zedler Mill & Zedler House; John Wells, Luling City Council member, Ward 2; and Mark Mayo, Luling city manager. Front row, left to right: Mike Hendricks, Luling mayor; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Bonnie Dredla, Zedler Mill Foundation president; Elizabeth C. Mundine, Luling assistant finance director; and Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.
LULING, Texas – The City of Luling’s historic Fritz Zedler House, an event center and guest house that is part of the popular Zedler Mill Complex, will get a facelift thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The grant, combined with a matching contribution of $6,075 from the City of Luling, will pay for upgrading the house’s damaged porches, decks, handrails and exterior walls. The 120-year old home on the banks of the San Marcos River is open to overnight guests and tour groups, and is frequently used as a venue for meetings and special events such as weddings.
Along with the house, the Zedler Mill Complex includes a dam, historical museum, stables, scale house, pavilion and amphitheater. The complex and its facilities serve as an attraction for tourism, recreation and private events. The site received a historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission in 1974, and has been used as a location for movies such as Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse and music videos.
“We’re a small city and money is tight,” said Luling City Manager Mark Mayo. “Other services come first, but with a grant like this we can specifically put the money toward a need. It’s just wonderful to have.”
Given the home was built in 1899, maintenance is a constant battle to preserve the building’s structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
“The Fritz Zedler House needs quite a bit of upgrading to the outside to bring it back up to quality standards so it can continue to be a safe and beautiful venue for the public to use when they come to explore our community,” he said.
This grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Luling is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted Jan. 1-31, 2020. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
