City Council Approves $65,000 for Beautification of City Square
November 11th, 2010 by Joe Burgess
The Monticello City Council approved an additional $20,000 to add to the currently allocated $45,000, from several years ago, to be used for renovations and improvements to the Monticello City Square.
The modernization project will take place in four stages:
1. fountain
2. sidewalks
3. columns
4. sod
This is the same topic of last week’s meeting, where council member Claudia Hartness argued with the rest of the council over the improvements. At that meeting, the council asked the square improvement committee to provide a drawing and cost estimates, which led to Wednesday night’s meeting.
Last week’s video has been viewd 425 time, so far.
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Well, for some reason, seeing the actions of the council in recent weeks, this doesn’t surprise me. So, we have now added $20k to do work on the square to go with the expensive Christmas decorations we are purchasing. I am confused. What is the point of doing all this to a square where all the buildings around it are falling down. Seems to me that the council members still have their priorities mixed up. How is “beautifying” the square, and Christmas decorations, going to help build a new fire and police department? Maybe the council members are hoping that doing all this, will divert the attention away from the real issues at hand. Hum, 2012 can’t get here soon enough so we can begin replacing some council members.
Is this the same square that has a falling down building that looks like Beirut? Surely the owner will be required to raze the building as it is an eyesore and hazard!!
I don’t like the idea of grass. Can’t you just see it after people walk all over it when it has been raining. It looks nothing like the square that I grew up with. Will there be any benches? I agree that we need to improve on some of the buildings around the square.
I too am confused about this topic.
South Main street floods like crazy during heavy rain and no one talks about it. Really, why can’t they fix that/
Metal stop signs replace stop lights but we are going to dump someone’s annual salary onto the square. I would prefer we hired someone as the Square’s Groundskeeper for $20K a year, then we would get a little back in the form of taxes, give someone a job and probably get the same affect.
We certainly do not need to spend money on decorations or fireworks during the Great Recession. Instead, Monticello political leaders act like their spending money belongs to someone else.
why is the city doing all this to the square when it belongs to the county
O.K. for the last several months the city council can give $20,000 for the suare,$15,000 for christmas lights for the suare,$10,000 to finish city park and $10,000 for Jordan park, but will not build a fire department of which the land is bought and payed for and the money already has been set aside for. The people who protect and serve the city and county should be worth at least that. especialy since the police and firefighters have not had a raise in at least 5 years.AND not to mention that the voters of this county approved the money for a new liberary to be built on the county owned property at the intersection of N. Main and Jefferson on the site of the old hospital, and I don’t hear anybody complaining about that which can’t help but make me think that someone has a problem with the people that willingly risk their lives to protect outhers!
is all this work going to be done by business owners in Monticello or like the work on the Ridgeway out of town?
The owner of the fallen building is in a bad situation with the insurance company and cannot touch the building until those issues are solved. She is trying….she ended up in a bad situation that was not her doing. She was trying to sell the building when the storm/accident happened. She’s had enough grief over this building. The issue will be settled when possible. It’s not like she’s not trying. Also, didn’t the state use the building for one corner that held up the traffic light? That could have added to the problem. Give her a break already!
The whole town needs a plan. We just fix this little problem, then fix that little problem….we need zoning or planning…including a plan for the future that includes where to locate public facilitites as the population shifts and hopefully grows. We sure do have good ball fields, however, including an air conditioned bathroom.
I am anxious to see what the new mayor will do. So? We need a new council? Then let’s see WHO will run in 2012…
thank you mazzie for stating what is so appropriatly needed for the lady on the square. She and her family were ahead of the game so to speak fo years, but amazing when things happen and trouble affects yoru life, people to forget to stand behind that person. If before you judge on that building, check with her and talk to her and find out what is taking place…
as far as the remodle of the civic center, if you watch the video, the money for the civic center has been there for almost 10 years. 45k has been in a cd specificly earmarked for this project. the extra 20k is only for incidentals in case other things happen. What amazes me, is how people all of a sudden chime in on the subject but no one is willing to take a stand and come to meetings and or be a part of programs that are taking part. With the change on the square, it is hopeful that many more things will take place including updating several buildings that are falling apart, upgrading the firestation, which I am for it to be built on the old school land. what happens to that land if it isnt built there. no zoning, yea…lets let the city sell that land and build a trailer park. It is time this city gets out of the past and moves into the future! It is time council members who are stuck in the past, learn that they can move forward, it is time that this City becomes a HUB for Southeast arkansas instead of the rest stop for southeast AR. It is time, for people who continue to sit on their couch patato rears and constantly complain to get off their couch’s and start volunteering for these committees that are takikng place, to run for office if you dont like who is serving. And it is time for people to become active. Mrs. Glenda from the chamber begs for assistantce with activites, the festival or the Main street Arkansas, call ….volunteer…The council has regular meetings, but no one goes to them except some of the same ones every time…. GET UP AND do something…GO Help become a part instead of just a passer by!
Make a Beautiful Town Square? We need to look where our money has went in the past. Well..Hmmm…think about the never completed sidewalk from the Post Office to the U.A.M. campus. I know its been a while, but I think that really needs to be questioned
I am thankful that Hartness challenged the bright idea that offered no clear accountability of funds. I can’t believe that the council approved it once they had the estimated cost. Why?
Where is the practical vision for our city? Where are the priorities? Where’s the fiscal accountability? Where’s the long range plan? Publish it. Get feedback from the citizens — BEFORE money is allocated.
Ask us if we would rather have fewer pot holes, adequate sidewalks and bike lanes instead of a “prettier” fountain and new sod. Really? Where’s the logic? Do we have such a surplus of money that we can begin with the fluff? Safety should take the front seat, and “beautification” should come after we have taken care of the necessities.
Too bad about the legal issues of those owning the decaying buildings, but I would wonder if the city has considered condemning them to protect others from the dangers they can cause. Who’s responsible for the injuries those buildings could cause?
Sounds like we, the publilc, should start attending the City Council meetings as a public statement to “Stop the Madness”!
Being that the square belongs to the county and the city has no lease with the county for the square it seems highly doubtful that spending city taxpayer money on county property
could even be legal. Furthermore it doesn’t seem wise but wisdom has not been a concern as of late.
i dont understand why everyone is complaining about them trying to make the square beautiful. why cant yall be greatful that they are actually doing something, also the building are falling down and need to be repaired but they are beautiful. i love how we have the “old” look. so why is everyone complaining?
You can “fix up” the square all you want, but until there are better destinations than a furniture store, trinket shop and a bank, no one will come up there. What about that sidewalk from the post office to the UAM campus? I doubt very seriously that anyone on that board has tried to bike to the campus from any point in Monticello. Many of us have and let me tell you, there is constant danger! From road raging Moms trying to drop off their kids at the last minute, and pulling off in a patch o f grass to catch your breath after narrowly surviving a Semi truck, there is no peace of mind while choosing to ride your bike to school. Some may say take another path, farther away from the highway. To those people I have one word… Dogs! City Council, Please pay attention to what the citizens want and stop worrying about doing something to show for you time in office!
We have allowed Monticello as a whole to become unattractive with burned out building, run down buildings and even buildings in our main section of down town have been allowed to leave broken windows, no windows, trash and tall grass all around. Newcomers including retirees, young couples, small business and industry want to locate in a town that has pride, full of people that respect the community and appreciate seeing every thing well maintaned and beautiful. Why can’t we improve Monticello and have residents proud that we want to be progressive. When you travel to other small communities, check them out and decide where would you like to live and raise your family. The square has been neglected for many, many years .The walks are crumbling and falling apart and have become dangerous to walk on. I am proud that the city council has decided it is time for improvements.