Big construction projects are coming to Orange with the new Riverside Pavilion and a new hospital-medical center.
The Orange City Council Tuesday approved the plans for the pavilion and the property deal setting up the hospital at Eagle Point.
Plus, Mayor Larry Spears called a detente for a problem arising from too much success. Free State Winery has complaints from neighbors about traffic.
Architect Rob Clark presented the council with designs for the 10,000 square foot covered pavilion to be built at the Boat Ramp off Simmons Drive.
Public Works Director Jim Wolf said the city will now seek bids for the $800,000 project. A ground-breaking ceremony could be held in four to six weeks. The pavilion should be finished in time for the Bassmasters tournament.
Also, a target date of April 1, 2021, has been set for the new medical center, which will be built at the Eagle Point acreage off Interstate 10 East at Texas Highway 62.
The council and the city’s Economic Development Corporation board approved a land deal with Kilamanjaro Company, owned by Gisela Houseman. The company is donating 20 acres for the medical complex. The EDC is giving a grant to pay for building an entrance boulevard into the acreage.
Free State Cellars, a winery and restaurant where the former Piney Woods Winery was, opened in June and the traffic to the business is bothering neighbors.
The residents asked the city to prohibit parking on the side of the streets and stop delivery trucks. They also want 25 mph speed limit signs.
Dana Swope, managing partner for the winery, said the business has been successful beyond expectations. Prohibiting trucks that deliver to her business would hurt it.
She said they have added parking and worked with nearby businesses to allow parking. Free State has also hired off-duty police officers to help with traffic. She said 47 percent of her business is coming from out of town.
Mayor Spears said instead of taking action on traffic proposals Tuesday, he wants to call a special meeting to “brainstorm” solutions to the parking at the winery “so both parties are satisfied.”
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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