By Sherry Koonce
The News staff writer
The first wave of dangerous and dilapidated residences in Port Arthur to be torn down from Hurricane Ike federal funds will be before City Council Tuesday.
Council will consider a list of hurricane-damaged houses mainly from the city’s downtown and west side during the regular meeting Tuesday scheduled to begin at 5:30 at City Hall.
Removing the structures will go a long way toward ridding the city of blight and clearing the way toward redevelopment.
“This is a basic step in trying to redevelop the city,” Fitzgibbons said.
It is a also a safety issue. Because all of homes on the list are vacant and uninhabitable, they have been a haven for vermin and crime.
Funding for the project is from the Community Development block Grant disaster Recovery money.
Once demolished, any houses on the city’s seized property list are eligible to be landbanked by the city for future redevelopment projects under the Neighborhood Stabilization project, Fitzgibbons said.
‘One of our biggest problems has been not being able to get developers interested in blighted areas. These structures damaged by Ike will come down, and, hopefully, the property will become attractive for redevelopment.”
In other matters, City Council will consider execution of a contract with Long Architects, Inc., and G&G; Enterprises of Beaumont for the design-build of a new gymnasium/multi-purpose building at the city’s recreation and senior citizen center.
Plans are for the center, at 1308 Ninth Ave., to receive a competitive level gymnasium, complete showers/restrooms, storage and space for other program uses.
Among other agenda items, the City Council will consider authorizing the expenditure of $78,300 of City of Port Arthur Section 4A Economic Development Corporation training funds.
The EDC has proposed paying $150 to each Port Arthur resident completing the life skills training program offered through the EDC and a $150 stipend for each Port Arthur resident who completes entry level skills training program.
The EDC also hopes to create and fund an on-the-job training program for those completing the skills training. The EDC has agreed to appropriate $13,500 for stipends and $65,000 for reimbursement to employers providing the on-the-job training.
City Council will also consider approval of a limited waiver agreement with Jefferson County, the cities of Nederland and Beaumont. The agreement pertains to annexation of approximately 116 acres of airport property by the city of Nederland for economic development purposes.
Prior to the meeting,
skoonce@panews.com
