At last Monday night’s city commission meeting, commissioners voted to close an unpaved portion of Dewey Avenue that is, for all practical purposes, a part of Eastside Park. It’s a one-block section between East Franklin Street and East Gordon Street.
Officially, Dewey Avenue runs between the ball field and the tennis courts (now a skate park) at Eastside Park. However, that portion of the road has never been paved and is essentially part of the park. But there is no record of the city ever officially closing that section of street. Records indicate that it hasn’t been used as a road since at least the mid-1970s, if not earlier. “We need to make all of this one parcel for the purpose of grant applications,” said Community Development Director Georgia Henderson at the meeting. Commissioners held a public hearing. There was no feedback for or against closing the road and it passed unanimously.
Commissioners also annexed 3.01 acres into the city that will be zoned M1 Light Industrial. The property is located at Shantel Drive and Brantley Boulevard. In other property news from the meeting, the commission approved the purchase of .3 acres for $17,500 for the Douglas Municipal Airport. The city purchased the property from Olene and Elijah Harper.
Commissioners also approved the following items:
- A new F-250 pickup for the recreation department for $58,389.70
- Water/Wastewater warehouse stock: $61,849.74
- Electrical supplies warehouse stock: $81,432.12
- Sports equipment for the recreation department: $52,498.44
- The first reading of an ordinance that would change the number of Mayor’s Youth Council members from nine to the discretion of the mayor and staff. “This is a great problem to have. It means we have more interest in the council,” said Commissioner Mike Gowen.
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