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Last Updated: Feb 8th, 2010 - 15:45:09 |
In its final meeting of 2009, the City of Liberal Commission made several decisions it hopes will improve perception of the city in 2010.
From approving a bid to construct a community building at Mahuron Park to authorizing the funding for 10 economic development programs, city commissioners voted Tuesday on agenda items that offer assistance to low income families and entice downtown property owners to convert second story business space into residential space.
The commission approved a $74,750 construction bid from Mid-Plains Construction, Inc., for Mahuron Park's community building. Public Works Director Joe Sealey and City Manager Mark Hall both told the commission the building will mirror that of the Girl Scouts building at Light Park.
Mid-Plains won the bid over Liberal-based Cox Construction's $88,532 bid and Dodge City-based J-A-G III, Inc that submitted a $99,500 bid. Though not guaranteed, Sealy and Hall told the commission the community building will be finished by June.
A handful of interested community members were at the meeting to support the Mahuron Park building including former mayor Ivanhoe Love. Love thanked the commission.
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| Former City of Liberal Mayor Ivanhoe Love (far left) thanks the city commission for approving the $74,750 bid from Mid-Plains Construction to build a community building at the Mahuron Park in East Liberal. In its last meeting of the year, the city commission approved several programs, they hope, will entice new business and improve quality of life in 2010. Photo by Tony Hernandez |
"Here is a case where we started the planning process almost a year ago," he said. "Here we are now, we are going to actually see construction. Thank you very much on behalf of the citizens of the North East side."
In the meeting's lengthiest agenda item, Economic Development Director Jeff Parsons detailed to the commission 10 programs aimed to entice new businesses, revitalize downtown and support existing businesses.
One program, for example, will offer companies at the city's two industrial parks $500 for every new job created over a three-year period.
Another program will offer a maximum $5,000 to business or property owners to convert their second story space into a residential area. The commission approved a maximum of $30,000 for the new program.
"It's a program that if it catches on, we'll probably do well," Parson's said. "We probably won't max the budget out (but) ... what everybody says is it's a great program to get the vitality of downtown area really going. When you get people living there 24-hours a day, you have people coming and going. You get a lot of activity, that's good."
The commission also approved $408,000 worth for enhancements to go along Pancake Avenue, and North and South Kansas Avenues. Hall told the commission the city is looking to plant a potential 300 trees along the those city streets.
For full story please see Sunday's newspaper
© 2008 Southwest Times
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