Commissioners Considering New Site To Purchase
By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer
Smith County commissioners on Monday continued crafting their long-rage plans for facilities and discussed in detail ways to best utilize the old Crescent Laundry buildings they're considering purchasing.
Staff Writer
Smith County commissioners on Monday continued crafting their long-rage plans for facilities and discussed in detail ways to best utilize the old Crescent Laundry buildings they're considering purchasing.
No formal action on the plan was taken on Monday, but members of the court took on various homework assignments - tasks to complete before next week's meeting.
"We're continuing the discussion," said County Judge Joel Baker. "The only way we can do this as a group is in open court, so we're continuing to meet and to discuss our ideas. I feel we made some headway today."
The county is currently conducting a 60-day feasibility study that could lead to the purchase of a parcel of land next to the courthouse annex - the old Crescent Laundry properties. Commissioners have set aside $450,000 from courthouse renovation funds (from previously issued Certificates of Obligation) for the project - $25,000 for the feasibility study, and $425,000 for purchase of the land.
On Monday, representatives of the city of Tyler's Historical Preservation Board commended commissioners for carefully considering the site and any changes that might have to be made.
"We're excited you're considering preserving some of this," said Mike Patterson, who chairs the board.
The Crescent Laundry buildings were constructed in 1927 and 1928. Tyler architect Roy T. Nunamaker designed the signature one-story, domed Moorish Revival-style dry cleaning building with its crescent moon tile detain in 1928, creating the city's only known example of the Exotic Revival style. The laundry closed in 2000.
"We're well aware of the need to preserve the history of the buildings," said Commissioner Bill McGinnis. "Those buildings are just plain cool."
Commissioners on Monday also discussed the logistics of clearing county employees out of the Smith County Office Building (the old Carlton Hotel). Renovations to the courthouse annex could be completed by the end of 2008, Baker said. That will allow at least portions of the Sheriff's Department to move out of the decaying Office Building.
There was little discussion Monday of a previously announced plan to put a jail bond election on the November ballot.
"While we work on a preliminary jail plan, we need to move forward with these things, as well," said Commissioner JoAnn Fleming. "We want to demonstration that we can come up with more cost-effective ways to relocate folks in the Office Building."
Last November, voters rejected a $125 million jail bond proposition that would have included facilities for those employees.
Commissioners will continue their planning with a workshop meeting next week.
Other items approved on Monday included:
Payment of bills and payroll, transfers of funds, health claims and budget transfers and amendments.
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