Additional lighting as part of a downtown revitalization project will soon be erected on North Grand Avenue. The poles will extend to the site of the Texas County Justice Center, which is under construction at Grand Avenue and Spruce Street.
City Administrator Bill Bates reported at a city council meeting Monday that asphalt work has been completed downtown. The city is waiting on a subcontractor for Ozark Asphalt Co. to complete decorative crosswalks near the center of the downtown.
The projects were among several discussed at the meeting:
*The City of Houston notified Hogan Construction Co. of Rolla that it is default of a contract to perform improvements at the Houston Memorial Airport. A separate letter was mailed to a bonding company that guaranteed Hogan’s work. The city expects to ratify a contract with Cary Stewart Construction of West Plains to perform the work. The bonding company will cover the additional $13,000 in costs, Bates said.
*Work has begun on an addition to a building at the Houston Municipal Swimming Pool.
*With the arrival of drainage materials, work has resumed on a walking trail through Emmett Kelly Park.
*Utility installation is under way to a South Sam Houston Blvd. building being constructed north of First National Bank. A.G. Edwards, a St. Louis brokerage business, is locating a branch in Houston.
*Hood-Rich Architects, Springfield, is preparing bid documents that call for an interior coat of paint at the city’s south water tower.
*Easements for water improvements in area from Texas County Technical Institute to the south water tower are being sought. The project, Bates said, will improve water pressure and volume for that area.
Members of the council approved a plan to remove items in storage at a city-owned airport hanger. An appraisal of the building will be sought. The city may lease or sell it to an interested party moving to this area.
The council also received a report on a recent meeting of the Houston Planning and Zoning Commission. The panel recommended that Texas County Baptist Association offices on North U.S. 63 be zoned highway business district. It also okayed a lot certification request on property owned by Van Pamperien on Forest Street. It noted that any potential buyers will need to make arrangements for sewer installation and the street will not be maintained by the city. It also recommended combining two highway business lots owned by Mike Reed along South U.S. 63. They are situated north of a strip center at Remington Heights.
Members also heard from King Street neighbors who complained about the condition of property there. The city will study the issue – whether cleanup or demolition is possible.
The council also approved a county request to make the Houston Storm Shelter the polling place for Houston and Piney Township elections. A one-year contract at no cost to the county was authorized.