Art Lawler
The Athens Review
Athens —
GUN BARREL CITY — The City Council talked seriously about second-guessing themselves at Thursday’s special meeting, then decided they had made the right decision the first time.
In recent months, the council had voted to purchase the bank building across the street from the current city hall. The architects were brought in to come up with a concept which the council members approved. A $1.7 million preliminary plan was approved.
Then recently the city got an offer on the former Prosperity Bank Building, and Mayor Dennis Wood thought the council should at least discuss its options.
According to Wood’s math, the city could get $575,000 for the bank building, put that money in a new structure out on the 40-acre site, and end up with a 9,000 square-foot building, or 1,500 more square feet than with the expansion of the bank building.
In addition, Wood said, the city could also save about $200,000, according to his numbers.
Councilman Marvin Pace agreed with the mayor, but Councilman Curtis Webster spoke out against the move, saying it would cause delays, and the city hall needed to be on State Highway 334 (Main Street).
Pace said he couldn’t remember a town that put the government buildings in a commercial area.
Marty Goss, after listening to the arguments both ways, said he felt the majority were wanting to stay put on 334, and he voted against the motion. Pace cast the only “nea” vote because the mayor can’t vote except in the case of a tie.
The council also scheduled the July Fest Concert Saturday, Nov. 6. Whether they will continue to call it July Fest is still in question, but council did approve, by a 4-1 vote to re-schedule the event.
There was grumbling in the room. One council member said the bands would be receiving double pay if this concert takes place.
Goss said that wasn’t true, that the bands came to Gun Barrel City with a guaranteed contract. He also noted how three of the bands stayed after the original concert was canceled, to try to salvage the rest of the night for the fans with the acoustics show.
“They didn’t have to do that,” Goss said.
The council members eventually, agreed, though not unanimously, to schedule the make-up concert. The City will pay $15,000 of the estimated $30,000-cost of the show.
The Economic Development Corporation has talked about paying the other half, but at press time, a final decision had not been reached.
Fans who keep their tickets or bracelets, will get into the concert without charge.
Goss said the bands have huge followings, and they’ll draw the large crowds, even in November.
Bad weather resulted in the sound stage falling down, and three of the four bands hanging around for an impromptu acoustics concert at the fire station.
In other action taken at the Gun Barrel City Special Meeting Thursday morning, council members;
• voted 4-1 to send out bids for a pavilion to be built behind the ambulance building. The $125,000 estimated cost will be paid by the Economic Development Corporation. A total of $53,000 from that money will go toward the slab, while $70,000 goes for the 9,000-foot structure.
It will contain no walls, no bathrooms, sewer or water. Councilman Marty Goss said the structure, which will be almost identical to the one in Mabank, will be used for basketball, Farm-to-Market shows, car shows and other exhibits;
• listened to a report from City Manager Gerry Boren on last week’s water hearing in Austin.
