The City of Houston held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for its new recreation complex near Spruce Street.
The facility will include a 32,000 square foot recreation center that includes two basketball courts with a walking trail, full-size baseball infield, pitching/batting cages, restrooms and concessions that can also serve the venue.
The outdoor facility will include two softball/youth fields and two baseball fields that are east of the building. The structure faces a parking lot to accommodate about 200 cars on the west side. Under the preliminary plan, parking would initially be a gravel lot and asphalt is expected later.
Contracts approved
During the city council’s Monday meeting, contracts with Central Missouri Excavation Contracting (CMEC), of Belle, and The Overlay Guys (TOG), of Houston, were approved. The contract with CMEC for dirt work totals $649,572 and the material supply and delivery contract with TOG is not to exceed $345,000.
According to Travis Witzemann, economic developer, this phase of the project is about $100,000, or eight percent, under budget. Witzemann’s plan is to continue coming under budget, to be able to add amenities to the project.
Land annexation
Annexing 17.77 of the roughly 60 acres on Spruce Street for the project into the city limits and zoning it agricultural has made it through the planning and zoning process and a public hearing. Another privately-owned property near the land that requested annexation and R-3 zoning was also considered.
Larry Tyrrell, city attorney, will draft ordinances for each to be considered at the May 4 meeting.
