Civic Center Renovations Up For Vote At Council
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: March 1, 2013
The Lubbock Civic Center has not had a major renovation since 1997. The first two contracts up for vote at Thursday's City Council meeting are for outdoor projects- the Fountain Plaza and the West Pedestrian Walkway.
Council approved the two contracts unanimously. The first, for the pedestrian walkway, passed at 6-0, with Councilman Todd Klein removing himself from the vote because a family member bid on the contract.
The plaza contract passed at 7-0.
The Fountain Plaza had the fountain removed almost 2 years ago due to upkeep. The contract Thursday would have a company come in and re-pave the area and make it a better usable space for events.
The West Pedestrian Walkway is a safety concern, according to Assistant Director Debra Justice. The walkway has been closed for a few years to the public as parts of the ceiling were falling.
"The bridge is a safety issue, it was starting to crack and peel underneath, and pieces of the bridge were falling, so we had the underside of the bridge closed off while we were waiting for the necessary paperwork," said Justice.
Engineers did deem the upper walkway was suitable for the public to continue using.
The walkway will cost $244,600, and the plaza re-paving will cost $122,809.
The next major project to come before council in the next few months is the Civic Center roof. Mayor Glen Robertson said many repairs are needed for the building, and he expects to see multiple contracts come up for vote in the coming months.
"We've had a couple of incidents where it's started leaking, so that's really prompted us to move forward and get this roof done as quickly as we can," said Justice. "We also want the roof done before we do the indoor renovations, because you don't want something leaking on all your brand new stuff inside."
Council approved the two contracts unanimously. The first, for the pedestrian walkway, passed at 6-0, with Councilman Todd Klein removing himself from the vote because a family member bid on the contract.
The plaza contract passed at 7-0.
The Fountain Plaza had the fountain removed almost 2 years ago due to upkeep. The contract Thursday would have a company come in and re-pave the area and make it a better usable space for events.
The West Pedestrian Walkway is a safety concern, according to Assistant Director Debra Justice. The walkway has been closed for a few years to the public as parts of the ceiling were falling.
"The bridge is a safety issue, it was starting to crack and peel underneath, and pieces of the bridge were falling, so we had the underside of the bridge closed off while we were waiting for the necessary paperwork," said Justice.
Engineers did deem the upper walkway was suitable for the public to continue using.
The walkway will cost $244,600, and the plaza re-paving will cost $122,809.
The next major project to come before council in the next few months is the Civic Center roof. Mayor Glen Robertson said many repairs are needed for the building, and he expects to see multiple contracts come up for vote in the coming months.
"We've had a couple of incidents where it's started leaking, so that's really prompted us to move forward and get this roof done as quickly as we can," said Justice. "We also want the roof done before we do the indoor renovations, because you don't want something leaking on all your brand new stuff inside."
