An existing water storage tank serving the South Heights and Goehmann Lane areas was demolished Monday afternoon, paving the way for a new concrete storage tank to be constructed to serve the site, according to Clinton Bailey, city director of public works and utilities. — Submitted photo
City officials are still considering all options for the future of Old Fair Park, following lengthy discussion at the Feb. 16 meeting of the Fredericksburg City Council.
The council received a presentation at the meeting from consultant Freese and Nichols about possible future development of the area south of downtown Fredericksburg.
“The purpose of the study was to develop some alternate concepts and redevelopment opportunities for the city-owned Old Fair Park,” Brian Jordan, director of development services said. “The area adjacent to and in close proximity to Old Fair Park is experiencing new development or has plans for expansion. In an effort to assist the city in determining the highest and best use of the land, the three concept plans were developed.”
The plans, which gradually move further away from the existing arrangement at the park and surrounding areas, are meant to fuel discussion among the council and the public about the possibilities for the area.
Conceptual Plan A largely leaves the Old Fair Park site as it is, with the expected development north of the park enhanced and the soccer fields moved slightly to accommodate a new shared, parking lot.
Conceptual Plan B expands on the ideas from Conceptual Plan A and relocates both the baseball and soccer fields outside the area, accommodating single-story commercial frontage on Ufer and Lincoln streets, while developing a passive park north of the skate park site.
Conceptual Plan C is the furthest possibility from the existing Old Fair Park site, with all park facilities relocated outside the area to accommodate both commercial and medium density residential properties.
“The council has no presupposed idea of what this park should become. At this time the council has made no decision on what to endorse,” Jordan said. The city staff and city council welcome feedback from the community concerning the future of Old Fair Park.”
Detailed drawings and explanations of the specifics within each conceptual plan are available on the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post’s Facebook page, as well as at City Hall.
Council to meet
The council will hold its next regular meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, in the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center conference room.
Among the topics up for discussion will be a contract award for construction of a new concrete South Heights/Goehmann Lane water storage tank, which will replace the steel ground storage tank demolished this week.
The cost of the new tank, funded through existing bond money, is $813,400 and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring of 2015 and be completed in the summer of 2015, according to Clinton Bailey, director of public works and utilities.
Other agenda items for Monday’s regular council meeting (subject to change) include a funding request for a sidewalk at the skate park as well as reports on water system status, Open Meetings Act, the hotel occupancy tax fund balance and sidewalk improvements.