Federal dollars could build downtown restrooms
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The Mineola City Council will be considering how to spend the city’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan.
One idea is to address the lack of restrooms in the downtown area during events.
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Federal dollars could build downtown restrooms
The Mineola City Council will be considering how to spend the city’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan.
One idea is to address the lack of restrooms in the downtown area during events. The city owns the lot on the northeast corner of Commerce and Johnson Streets. One buyer backed out and no other buyers have come through.
The Mineola Economic Development Corp. owns the property and is working on the idea of building a restroom that would be a brick structure and replica of the 1888 building that was razed on the site in 2018. In addition to restrooms, the plaza area would also include chairs and tables and charging stations for electronic devices.
Estimated cost is $200,000.
A new asphalt lay-down machine leads the list of requests the city is considering to make to the Meredith Foundation.
The annual wish list will be formalized by the council in December, along with the ARP funds.
Public Works Director William Crump said the old machine, estimated at 23-24 years old, is in the shop for repairs regularly, costing the city $17,000 last year, and parts are becoming more difficult to come by.
Its replacement will run in the $140,000 range.
Other requests to be considered include a new restroom at the Mineola Nature Preserve to service the children’s playground at $89,000.
The police department is requesting funds to equip two new patrol units for $60,000.
The marketing and tourism department is seeking a projector and screen to be able to show movies at the preserve.
The Landmark Commission is seeking funds to put in a walking trail at $39,800.
The council also learned that “No Loitering” signs will be installed at the downtown gazebo and across the railroad tracks at Iron Horse Square park to discourage activity after 10 p.m.
The council agreed to name a portion of Guy Street in honor of Mineola native James Tatum, who passed away earlier this year. He became an internationally known jazz pianist and founded an education foundation in Detroit.
The section of Guy St. has no structures but must be renamed to avoid conflict with 9-1-1 addressing.
The council agreed to close the portion of Front St. adjacent to the mini-train depot during the train’s Christmas runs Dec. 4, 11 and 18 to assist with crowd control and safety from 3-8 p.m.
