South Street Park now Martin Luther King Park
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

South Street Park, on Martin Luther King Blvd., is now Martin Luther King Park.

City council last night also approved improvements to the Park using a list created by residents at a special council meeting at the park on April 5.

According to Jeff Howell, city manager, improvements could include moving the playground area to an area that is on higher, drier ground and replacing the old equipment with equipment purchased two years ago that has been stored at the city yard.

City planners are also looking at restrooms, a walking path, additional lighting, concrete picnic tables and softball field improvements.

Other improvements could include removal of dirt, clearing of trees, removal of leftover pump jack slab, clearing the fence line and removing an abandoned building.

The city is looking at the possibility of outdoor recreation grants as well as other funding sources for the improvements, including economic development funds dedicated by Kilgore Economic Development Corporation.

Joe T. Parker, Kilgore mayor, asked that Howell return to council with the list of improvements for prioritization.

In other business, council approved asking local taxing entities to relinquish their interest in property at 509 State Highway 31 West, for the construction of the proposed Emergency Medical Services building.

Ronnie Moore, director of public safety, said he would like to see construction at the EMS building completed, so the city could then shift attention to Fire Station 2.

So far Fire Station 3 has been remodeled with new flooring, counters and back splash, painted trim - inside and out - as well as new locks.

Other improvements included removal of air conditioning units from the roof of the building, new a/c units on the ground and a new roof.

The project was budgeted at $65,000. To date Moore has spent $48,448.87 and only expects to spend another $5,078 on appliances, once city employees begin to utilize the building.

According to Moore interviews begin Monday for the six firefighters, funded through a grant, needed to man the station.

Moore said so far all applicants have passed a physical agility test and six applicants have passed a background check.

"I will personally conduct every interview," Moore said. "I don't want to hire just anybody."

Council also approved plat amendments for the Springtree II Addition.

Dale Sistrunk, Springtree homeowners association president, thanked the city for improvements in the subdivision and for requiring the plat amendment.

"We are just interested in nice houses being built there," Sistrunk said. "We are happy now and hope this carries over to phase III."

In regards to the old American Legion Hall, Owen said Bob Florence, building owner is in compliance and appears to be doing everything in his power to follow through with the completion. According to Owen, the completion idepends entirely on the moving contractor, who has promised to finish up in the coming weeks.

The next meeting of Kilgore City Council is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at Kilgore City Hall in Council Chambers.