Almost three years to the date and so far over initial budget that it's not even funny, but St. George is open!
It looks great! It it truly will extend out our town square in a positive direction. It's sad that the corner store, the old Kotzebue Drug store, isn't there to anchor the street. I hope that someone will open up there soon, and help not only the downtown square but St. George grow.
Honestly I'm not sure how some of the businesses survived the 3 years of destruction. It's hard enough in these times when everything works well, but when people can't get to you it's next to impossible to survive.
I know our council were a bit sideswiped when they were told that they had only voted to approve 'phase 1' 3+ years ago, but this is where communication between a city manager and the city council is so important. Honestly I doubt anything would of been done on St. George had the council been given all the facts up front.
But all things said and done it looks nice, and we're finally there. Take a moment over the next week, maybe while you're at the Friday Night Concert Series hosted by Main Street and walk over to St George. It really is a nice addition to your downtown and I hope many folks will go visit the forgotten street.
God Bless,
Dennis
Nice looking street. Now just about another 30 or 40 streets downtown to go.
ReplyDeleteAny clue as to why dead trees were planted? Why waste the time if the tree is dead? Or do they think by heavy watering they will be revived?
And what about the tree that was planted under an awning? Is the awning going to be replaced?
And one more comment, isn't there some ordinance about cluttering up a sidewalk with lots of merchandise? I notice that the one store with lots of stuff has been loading up the sidewalk in front of their store.
Seriously, the street does look good. I wonder what will happen when we do get some heavy rain?
"And one more comment, isn't there some ordinance about cluttering up a sidewalk with lots of merchandise? I notice that the one store with lots of stuff has been loading up the sidewalk in front of their store."
ReplyDeleteThis has been addressed several times. The sidewalks belong to the businesses, not the city. Unless it is creating a safety hazaed, there is nothing the city can do. At least that is what has been determined by the city administration.
I agree, just curious. Several years ago the city passed an ordinance regarding placement of signs on the sidewalk, similar to ones currently used around downtown. Required a permit for them. The ordinance also regulated the type of sign a business could use, even inside their business window, and those required a permit also. I think this ordinance is one more not being enforced, like you have commented on other ordinances. when the ordinance was passed, it was supported by those that wanted downtown to look like "Fredericksburg".
DeleteI don't recall the ordinance you refer to, but it doesn't surprise me one bit it's not being enforced.
DeleteI'm not aware of any ordinance about the signs inside, or any non-permanent signs on the sidewalks.
DeleteI know that the Emporium has had several complaints about it and it's cluttering up the sidewalks, but have heard that as long as there is no safety hazard there was nothing the city could do about it.
I'm not sure what the story is on the tree.
Dennis
Sign ordinance: See the city website -
DeleteCode of Ordinances > Chapter 3 Building Regulations > 3.800 Signs and Billboards.
Lists all regulations and fees.
You could be correct in your interpretation of the ordinance, but it all goes back to code enforcement and everyone knows that has been nonexistant in Gonzales for many years. Maybe with the events of late that could change.
Deletelast tues. evening during the downpour st .george was draining just fine,hardly any water on the street,but the town lake was another. and what about those concrete boxes on the square,what is the city going to do with those,use them as garbage containers?
Delete"last tues. evening during the downpour .........hardly any water on the street,but the town lake was another."
DeleteAre you talking about Burchard Lake?
Been a flood problem for years.
YES
DeleteI spoke with Chief Crow about the signs today. He was going to get back with me shortly about the signs.
DeleteThe city doesn't follow through with any code enforcement and why should the police be any different?
ReplyDeleteThat's a broad statement that's just not true. I have my misgivings about our police force. I've written about them here on this blog, but to paint a statement like that is not fact.
DeleteJust recently the panning/soliciting code was enforced running those off the streets that were begging for money.
I was in court (visiting with scouts) when people with tickets over their horses were there.
Now to say they don't enforce all of them, or every time...you're right. But they do enforce, and when I've made complaints, their office has always done their part.
Now if we only had a DA that knew what to do with them.
I can understand how the poster feels, I too feel like many of the laws and ordinances are not enforced, Sometimes it seems like it's pick and choose which to enforce. I see the city council passing ordinances and modifying ordinances only to see no obvious enforcement. The exhaust brake and truck route are two that seem to have been forgotten. Trucks still use St. Louis street on a daily basis, sometimes convoys of several trucks at the smae time. Signs would be a great help, and sign placement should be so there is no misunderstanding where the truck route is. Exhaust brake signs need to be replaced to the city limits, instead of well inside the city. It does no good for those of us on the edge od town when the signs are past our homes, or there is no sign. TXDoT installed the signs, and they say they were placed where the city told them to put them. That really needs to be revisited.
DeleteA police report in the newspapers would be nice, one that shows how many tickets were written, warnings,crimes solved and code enforcement cases filed. Maybe there wouldn't be so many questions as to what the police dept. is doing. The report that is in the papers today only tell of reported crimes, but very few crimes solved.
Police enforcement would be a good topic for an open town hall meeting where citizens can ask questions and get answers.
Bill,
DeleteI did bring up town halls meetings, and in a recent planning meeting Mr Barnes addressed the suggesting that all the councilmen hold town hall meetings outside of the city building and in their own areas.
I believe we'll start seeing some of these, and then items like you mention will be open discussions for everyone. You're right, the lack of knowledge sometimes allows us to thing nothing is being done.
Dennis
I have an e-mail from Mr. Barnes that says the city will start having town hall type meetings starting in July. There will be five meetings, one in each district and one in a downtown location, not at city hall. These are open to ALL citizens, and are being held at "neutral" sites so everyone should feel at ease. They are looking for input as to where the city is headed. Hopefully this will be a start in the citizens deciding the direction the city takes.
DeleteAt tonights meeting the city manager stated there has been no tickets written or code enforcement in 5 years
DeleteI belive it. All a person has to do is look around town at the junk cars, overgrown lots and listen to the loud car sterios and truck exhaust brake noise.
DeleteMy question would be is what was Sam Lewis being paid to do? And why was he allowed to shuck his duties by the city manager?
Once again it looks like the City of Gonzales and the Citizens are going to be screwed by the previous administration. $72,000 bill to remove the Verizon poles. One more reason that we discontinued Verizon service in our home and business. Cell phone only for home, Time Warner for our business.
ReplyDeleteThe city could say no. I think it's time for the property owners that benefit to pony up and pay. The taxpayers have paid enough.
DeleteBill, I hadn't thought of that. But that is a very good suggestion. A darn good suggestion. Ask those property owners who were made to pay for curbing a few years back for their opinion.
Delete