The building was rescued from the wrecking ball in 1999 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized, not only the historic value of the Brauntex Theatre, but also the potential for the Brauntex to fill the need for a performing arts theatre in the growing community of New Braunfels. Several community leaders, including representatives of various arts groups, formed the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Association (BPATA), purchased the closed theatre on 10 December 1999 and were granted a 501(c)3 nonprofit status shortly thereafter.