Council okays property purchase

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members approved a petition from the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to purchase just under 14 acres of property on the east side of the community during an hour-long monthly session on Monday, Nov. 14.

The council also agreed to lease the last existing space for a hangar at the airport and set new speed limit restrictions for the Clarke Estates and the east end of South First Street.

Property Purchase

The seven-member city-appointed EDC board sent a request through city manager Billy Holson, asking permission to make an offer on 13.93 acres owned by Southwest Integrated Enterprises.

The property, which fronts Hwy. 180E, includes a fairly large office/retail building with covered ­areas, as well as a shop and undeveloped areas.

“The EDC thinks this is a good opportunity to purchase this and create a commercial park,” said Holson.

He added that it might also present a possibility for the city to buy about five acres on the south side of the property near the airport road as a new location for a city yard.

“We would have a place to move the city’s equipment away from the old water plant at the city park,” said Holson.

After discussion, Lynsi Musselman made a motion to approve the purchase plan from the EDC, with all in favor.

Speed Limits

Holson proposed that the current school zone on South First Street in front of the secondary campus be extended all the way east to the ag farm entrance.

He also suggested that a 25 mile per hour speed limit be imposed for the Clarke Estates subdivision, which currently has no speed limit.

Council members agreed that the east end of South First should be included in the school zone, since it is school property all along the south side where the track and then the ag barn are located.

In the same motion, which was voiced by Musselman, 25 MPH speed limit signs will be placed within the Clarke Estates, which is only a few years old and which has not had speed limits prior to now.

“Both areas will be 25 MPH,” said Holson, “but the difference is that the fine is twice as much if the ticket is given in a school zone.”

In Albany, school zones are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The action was approved unanimously.

Airport Lease

Holson reported that Cary Clark has requested to lease a lot in order to build a hangar at the city’s airport.

Although this is the last designated space for hangars, Holson said that he expects a future 90/10 TxDOT grant to enable the city to move the fuel tanks to another location and allow expansion for more hangars.

The lease request was approved.