Decatur Takes Steps Toward Possibilty of Funding Rec Center & Public Works Projects
Decatur Metro | August 16, 2010Remember that thoroughly confusing bond project post from a couple months back?
The one where the City Manager suggested that the city commission transfer the remaining bond fund money earmarked to build a new Public Works building and shift it over to the Recreation Center renovation?
Well, two items on tonight’s Decatur City Commission agenda indicate movement on this front.
The first is that the commission will vote on whether to table the decision to re-purpose the General Obligation Bond Funds until the September 7th commission meeting, so that the city can hold a public information session on the bond fund transfer proposal on September 2nd.
Additionally, the city is ready to purchase a lot adjacent to the public works facility for $450,000, which it had previously only rented. As you may recall, one of the issues that initiated this bond fund swap was that the city couldn’t find a proper, affordable site for a new public works facility and thus stated that it’s best option was to rebuild on its current site. To do this, the city manager originally stated that the city would have to acquire two adjacent parcels to the current site to make this happen.
However, her note to the commissioners includes this caveat “We use the property for storage of vehicles, materials and supplies and anticipate needing the property regardless of the availability of additional funding for improving and expanding the public works facility.
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I think that Decatur Rec/Decatur Active Living is one of the city’s finest institutions, especially its warm, friendly, competent staff. Kids love them and so do adults, if only more adults were familiar with them. However, “the Rec” is limited by its beyond-retro, 50s/60s building complete with marginal bathrooms. So I support a Rec Center renovation. Nothing extravagant but something that doesn’t feel so much like a juvenile reform school. I only ask that we be allowed to continue to call it the Rec Center or Decatur Rec. Decatur Active Living may be more descriptive of what the services really are and it may look a whole lot better on official letterhead, but there’s several generations of us used to calling it the Rec and the old name just feels more comfortable.
I also am a huge fan of the Active living department. I do hope they take precautions upfront to protect the Magnolia Trees when they do rebuild. It takes a lot of forethougt to preserve trees that close to the construction zone. The worse case scenario is to only partially protect them and then watch them die over the next five years. There are plenty of certified arborist professionals in town that can help consult, but it first needs to be designated a priority upfront.
Boy have my kids loved playing in the big magnolia tree(s) in front of the Rec. Is the kids climbing on them bad for the trees? I have always wondered. Frankly, I’m not sure I could do anything about it–those trees are irresistable to children.
It can’t be good for the trees, but it could be worse for the kids.
Worse for the kids in terms of injury? Or worse if they didn’t get to play in trees? For those who don’t know the trees, they have these huge, low, spreading branches that are as big as tree trunks. The kids treat the huge shaded area under the trees like a fort or playhouse. Even a toddler can get up on the low branches. The trees are truly irresistable to children under 12. Because kids are invariably in those trees, I have assumed that it’s ok with the Rec; otherwise they’d post a sign. But maybe I’ve assumed wrong.
Magnolia trees are the very best trees for kid climbing, I think. My kids always climbed those, and one broke her foot falling out of a tree (not the magnolias). I guess kids climbing a tree may stress the tree out, just like walking on grass isn’t great for the grass, etc. I’m willing to stand up to protect the right of kids to climb magnolia trees in Decatur, Gaw-gah. If they can’t, what’s the world coming to? Are we going to then outlaw sweet tea (too much sugar) and cornbread (too many carbs)?
Magnolia Trees are tough! Other trees can be more sensitive to soil compaction. Compaction removes air from the soil hampers water and oxygen uptake. If I recall correctly Dr. Coder states that it takes an adult walking the soil eight times to 100% compact soil. My guess is that the soil under those trees is already mostly 100% compacted, if it was a white oak it would dead. I need a Penetrometer to measure accurately. Wish I had one, I would go out and measure the compaction.
However, I think the LOCATION of the rec center is not convenient to the city. There’s one way streets going AWAY from the rec center in two directions, and it’s in the middle of a very dense intersection. I’d love to see this placed elsewhere.
Agree it’s not easy to get to, but IMO worth it to keep Rec next to the library. Love having those two facilities located together.
It’s dang hard to get to the library from my side of town, but I understand that they just redid the library and it wouldn’t make sense to move that.
However, we’re TALKING about spending money renovating the Rec Center. I don’t know if renovating would cost as much as building from the ground up, but…..
The shared parking is nice, though, as is having that playground right there.
I mean, from the west side of town, there are oodles of one-way streets going AWAY from the library/rec center. It’s just not easy to access from this side of town in a car. Walking or biking is a different matter.
I live on the west side, too, so I hear you. It was a lot easier when you could stay on Howard across McDonough and turn left on Church St. (although I understand–I think–why they changed that)
Yes, I don’t begrudge them changing that section to a one-way street heading west. However, there’s ANOTHER one-way street parallel to THAT street, across from the H.S. I understand the residents of that street don’t want the direction of the traffic changed because they don’t want it to become a cut through street. It makes no sense for there to be TWO one-way streets going in the same direction.
Well, I live ON a cut-through street–Adair. If I have to tolerate traffic, why don’t they?
This ended up being tabled to allow for a public info session on Sept 2nd. ( A Thursday from 6:30-8pm with all commissioners planning to attend.) It’ll be back on the agenda for the Sept 7th Commission Meeting. I don’t see how it’s possible to make it less confusing. Their short discussions of it are dizzying! Good luck to them on that!
(On the magnolias- I’ve always wondered if the trees absorb the happy energy of the kids!)
Trees nice…. What about rehabbing the Old Police Department as well. That thing is an eyesore if I ever saw one. I know the Public Works Building and Rec center both need some overhauling but don’t forget about the men and women in blue.
That initiative is currently underway: http://www.decaturmetro.com/2010/07/15/give-input-on-beacon-hill-master-plan/