Laserfiche WebLink
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1999 <br />being noted. Mr. Harned that he had had several very positive and active contacts, and that the most <br /> <br />frequently mentioned advantages of the property were infrastructure elements, such as existing water, <br />sewer, electric and rail service. He noted that the City would also be running its new fiber optic cable to <br />both the Clearview and Rives Road sites. Mr. Harned then mentioned the project at the former Tultex site <br />in the Uptown, bordered by Moss, Fayette, Market and Church Streets, noting that the demolition and <br />grading there had turned out very well, with about $205,000 invested on the site. Mr. Harned then <br />addressed his budget request, noting that level funding from the previous year was requested. He pointed <br />out greater emphasis in the coming year on tourism efforts, to be funded from revenues from the City's <br />share &Regional Competitiveness Act funds and funds received from the American of Martinsville <br />settlement. Mr. Harned noted that the Chamber of Commerce was already prepared to provide office <br />space for the new initiative. Further discussion then took place on the merits of the tourism initiative. <br />Mr. Harned then continued with information on community development efforts, noting work to be done <br />at Academy Place, the former R. P. Thomas site, with $10,000 provided for grading and maintenance <br />there. He also noted the use of soil from the site to benefit the Albert Harris Project. Other elements of <br />the Academy Place project included development planning, architectural renderings of proposed housing, <br />pursuit of a planning grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and development <br />of a marketing and advertising campaign for the property. Further discussion on the potential of this <br />project then took place. Mr. Harned then covered several miscellaneous elements of his budget and <br />closed his presentation. Mayor Crabtree then congratulated Mr. Harned on his achievement era Certified <br />Economic Developer certification from the University of Oklahoma. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chris Whitlow, Planning Associate in the Community Development Department, next <br />presented information on other elements of the department budget. He noted a 4% decrease in personnel <br />costs due to the departure of Mr. David Reeves and reduction of compensation for the position, a <br />reduction in housing condemnation and demolition funds, and a $7,500 increase in the Critical Care <br />housing repair fund. Vice Mayor Teague observed that the Critical Care fund would provide for spot <br /> <br /> <br />