The seal of the city of Seguin features the picturesque Guadalupe River flowing over a dam through an impressive brick structure that used to be the city’s hydro-electric plant.

But after the plant was decommissioned in the mid-1990s, this historic landmark sat abandoned for more than 20 years.

That is, until Seguin City Manager Doug Faseler spearheaded a public-private partnership that transformed the aging structure. Faseler brought together citizens, city council, development partners, and city staff members to bring this aspect of Destination Seguin to life.

Revitalizing the plant was one of many projects included in the city’s 2006 Destination Seguin bond package, which was approved by voters in 2006.

“The hydroelectric plant building is important to this community,” Faseler said. “We’re happy to be able to partner with a developer to bring new life to a site that has such historical value.”

Since then, Lake Seguin Hydro-Electric Partners has invested more than $2 million in renovations to the power plant. They have maintained much of the building’s heritage, telling the story of the city’s early source of electricity.

The building is now the home of a popular restaurant, the Power Plant Texas Grill, which opened on July 4, 2014.

But there’s much more to do than just have a good meal. The power plant is adjacent to the city’s 227-acre Max Starcke Park, which boasts a host of recreational activities, including paddling trails; a regulation 18-hole golf course; wave pool; natural fishing area; walking trail; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts; Kids Kingdom Playscape; and a Little League baseball-softball complex along with pavilion and picnic areas.

What once was just a reminder of the city’s past has become a lively part of the its present and future, a destination for residents and tourists alike, to dine or simply to check out views of the falls from an open air catwalk that connects to the plant’s turbine room.