Nogales, Arizona (KVOA) — Arizona’s first Latino governor Raul Castro’s historic home is set to be sold by the University of Arizona as early as next week.
Built in the early 1900s, this home is located on historic Crawford Street in Nogales. He was donated to the university in 2015, shortly after Castro died.
It didn’t take long for the university to announce plans to turn its home into a border-focused lab.
Years passed with few updates on the plans, and the university announced it was going to put the house up for auction after News 4 Tucson Investigators began asking questions last September.
A spokesperson told N4T Investigators that this is because the cost of renovating homes has nearly tripled since the pandemic, making them very expensive.
Raul Castro’s daughter, Beth Castro, was upset when she heard that the project had ended, and even more upset when she learned that they were planning to put the house up for auction.
Beth now has Nogales’ attorney, Gregory Droeger, represent her in fighting the sale of the house.
“It’s totally disrespectful to the entire university,” Beth said.
They have yet to take legal action, but Droger wrote to UofA chairman Robert Robbins earlier in the year to “propose” potential legal action that could be taken against them. Did.
For over a month, the letter went unanswered.
“As a professional, I am insulted,” Droeger said.
Just two days after N4T investigators asked the university about the letter, they responded. A spokesperson said their attorneys have spoken with her Droeger and Beth and sent the following statement.
“The University of Arizona is putting up for sale former Arizona Governor Raul H. Castro’s Nogales home, which was donated to the University of Arizona Foundation for use by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Proceeds donated a student scholarship fund in the name of an existing Castro.
“The family presented the university with this generous gift. Lori Poloni-Staudingerhas been Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences since July 2022.
In 2015, the college received Castro’s family home as a gift from his grandson, Donald L. Daley. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences planned to transform the 1906 house into the Raul H. and Patricia M. Castro Border Studies and Outreach Center. partnership.
The university was unable to raise the necessary funds to restore the historic residential area and turn it into a university perimeter center. Additionally, due to the shift to a digital mode of meeting and learning, and the cost of home renovations tripled for him since the COVID-19 pandemic, the university decided to sell the house. Contributions raised for renovations are either returned to donors or added to scholarship funds, depending on the wishes of each funder.
“SBS College has made plans to completely redevelop the house into a center. is important,” said Poloni Staudinger. “But after so much consideration, we decided that our university would be better suited to serve our community by investing in our students and programming than by owning and maintaining a building. .”
Governor of Arizona people of riesle The University of Arizona is committed to continuing the presence, programs, and collaborations already established in the Nogales community and Santa Cruz County.
Current programs include University of Arizona Nogalesthe Confluencecenter for creative research fronteriders program and Santa Cruz County Cooperative ExpansionA number of academic units covering topics such as journalism, health and sustainability are engaged in teaching, research and community engagement in the border region.In addition Southwest Folklife AllianceUArizona’s non-profit organization creates and supports programs related to folk life along the U.S.-Mexico border, including the Nogales.
“We share the Castro family’s passion for supporting our border regions with a priority on enhancing the well-being and prospects of the next generation,” Fawkes said.
The net profit from the sale of Castro’s house is Raul H. Castro Scholarship Fund in the Latin American Studies Centerper gift contract.
The scholarship demonstrates the economic need of the Latin American Studies Center and benefits students studying international relations or local politics.
“The Raul H. Castro Scholarship has provided valuable financial support to students who want to follow in the footsteps of Castro and his illustrious career,” said Poloni-Staudinger. “Thanks to the generosity of the Castro family, we are thrilled that the scholarship will soon be able to help more students.”
Raul H. Castro, a University of Arizona graduate who died in 2015, overcame hardship and discrimination to become Arizona’s only Mexican-American governor and U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Castro’s accolades include graduating from James E. Rogers College of Law, donating a collection of manuscripts housed in the University Library’s Special Collections, and supporting the Raul H. Castro Scholarship for his Center for Latin American Studies in UA. I had many connections. .
Castro’s former Nogales home is located on Crawford Street, a historically designated street of significant importance to the community. ”
That’s a change from what they previously told us about the auction, and instead the current plan is to list the property.
Droeger explained to me what legal options I had. He said the university had published and widely published a pamphlet advertising its bold plans for a boundary research lab, so withdrawing now would be a good faith pledge and fair dealing clause included in all Arizona contracts. I believe that there is a possibility of violating
A judge must decide whether it is really a contract or just a gift.
“My client will soon be appointed as a personal representative of my parents’ estate and may file a lawsuit demanding that the university fulfill its promises in the pamphlet,” Droeger said.
N4T investigators spoke with Enrique Meléndez, General Ambassador to the Diplomatic Corps of Arizona. He is an ambassador from El Salvador where Raul Castro was previously US Ambassador.
Melendez knew Castro well and gave his eulogy during his funeral. Melendez believes the home needs to be protected.
“It’s very important to me and the Latino community. [Castro] forgotten,” he explained.
Melendez wrote letters to UofA Chairman Robbins and Senator Mark Kelly in December urging them not to sell the house.
Melendez hopes to find a way to bring together a group of diplomats from various countries to fund the original plans for the house.
“There is unanimous feeling that this should be done,” he said.
But now, the clock is ticking, and the university has told N4T investigators it plans to put the home up for sale as soon as next week. A spokesperson said it is not yet known how much it will be listed for.
Beth Castro wants to stop it.
“And who’s going to fight college? Well, I’m ready to do that. Also, if you’re a college or university, whether you want your kids to finish their papers on time, graduate, or ethics.” This is not the way to do it,” she said.
We will keep you up to date with the latest housing news.
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