City council approves kennels for new shelter

TEXARKANA, Ark. – The city council on Tuesday approved the purchase of kennels for the new animal care and adoption center building under construction, one of the last steps before the facility opens.

The board of directors unanimously voted for Direct Animal Products of Boyd, Texas, to build and install the kennels, which have glass facades and doors to make them “less like a prison or a cage and more intimate. “said shelter manager Brenda Williamson.

The tender for the project was dropped due to its specialized nature. The total prize will be close to $ 91,000. Half of the cost will come from loans taken out to finance the construction of the building, and the other half will come from a recent $ 1 million donation to the shelter.

The board also voted unanimously to condemn 17 substandard structures, allowing the city to demolish them if the property owners do not step in themselves.

All buildings are classified in the two worst damage categories, which means they need major repairs or are beyond repair, said Director of Public Works Tyler Richards. Most of the 17 are badly damaged by fire and / or have collapsed.

Homeowners now have 30 days to obtain repair or demolition permits, after which the city will proceed with the demolition. Public Works is contracting out the demolition at an approximate cost of $ 4,000 each, Richards said.

The addresses of the buildings are: 804/806 Ash St., 1402 Betty St., 614 Charles St., 1505 East St., 521 Euclid St., 902 Euclid St., 8 Ferguson St., 902 Jackson St., 1007 Jackson 839 Laurel St., 204 Marguerite Drive, 2109 Marietta St., 221 Martha St., 1603 Morrison St., 701 Orleans St., 1205 Prince St. and 2120 Walter St.

Council unanimously approved two rezoning requests. The first will allow the owners of a building at 1925 Line Ferry Road to convert it into a single-family home. The second will allow the owners of the land at 2620 Jefferson Ave. to build two duplexes there.

After a brief executive session, the council voted unanimously to approve the appointments to the city’s Historic District Commission.

Natasha Crabbe will fill a vacant Commission seat which expires in 2022. Mr. Carmen Mauldin will complete a vacant mandate which expires in 2023.

Danny R. Gordon and Jamie Simmons were reappointed, with terms expiring in 2024.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for July 19.