St. Denis Street to get overlay and new look
By Juanice Gray, jgray@natchitochestimes.com
The City Council meeting was short and to the point Monday, April 9 with an agenda consisting of only proclamations and ordinances.
New Parks and Recreation Assistant Director of Recreation Jami LeBlanc was introduced.
Council members approved a proclamation declaring April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City. Jack Duty accepted the proclamation and announced there will be a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) awareness social at the Knights of Columbus Hall April 19 from 6-9 p.m. Guest speakers will include former foster and CASA youth.
Ordinance 64 was introduced. It calls for a change of classification from R-1 to R-1 Special Exception to operate a hospice agency office. Planning and Zoning Director Juanita Fowler said Hospice of Natchitoches requested the zoning change to utilize the building for office space and a conference room. Their operations office is located in the building next door. Fowler said should the business cease operations, the zoning would revert back to R-1.
Fire Protection Dist. 4 will benefit from items declared surplus by the Council. The department will receive 31 breathing apparatus air cylinders.
Bids awarded included the Pavilion Building at the Natchitoches Tennis Complex to low bidder Vista Construction Group, LLC, of Monroe in the amount of $312,615. Six bids were received ranging from the $312-425K. Chief of Staff Edd Lee said the pavilion will offer a shaded viewing area and restrooms. The building was designed by local architect Kendal Perkins for Apex Architectural Services, LLC of Natchitoches.
Dean Nida & Associates, LLC, of Sarasota, Fla., submitted the lone bid of $27,110 for Christmas lighting supplies. Lee said this is an annual process for bulbs and wiring. “It is for replacing items that have aged out or been damaged. It’s routine replacement,” he said.
The third bid, for the St. Denis Water Line Replacement and Street Rehabilitation Project went to Progressive Construction Co. of Alexandria in the amount of $793,520.75. The four bids ranged from $793K to $1.03 million. The project will remove St. Denis Street, in sections, from Front to Third Streets by the Post Office. “Plans are to keep traffic flowing as much as possible,” Lee said. “The water and sewer lines will be replaced and the street will be reconstructed. The section from Front to Second Street will be bricked. The section from Second to Third Street will be concrete.”
Also notable was a resolution authorizing Mayor Lee Posey to advertise and accept bids for the Natchitoches Sports & Recreation Park. The process has already begun with the cutting of timber. A tree-lined buffer will remain between the Park and Hwy 6 and several trees remain for landscaping and shade. Edd Lee said the cutting process will be completed as soon as weather permits.
Councilman Dale Nielson was absent due to a prior commitment. The next meeting will be April 23 at 5:30 p.m.