City Council Votes to Remove Road Near Fort Concho

SAN ANGELO, TX — Residents of the Fort Concho area, and those that pass through it, will soon be forced to drive around the outside of the historic landmark instead of cutting through it. 

The City Council voted Tuesday morning to approve a proposal made by the Parks and Recreation Department to block off and eventually remove the portion of Avenue D that runs through Fort Concho. 

Department officials argue that the road is unnecessary and hinders the historical integrity of the site.  Residents, on the other hand, use the road as an easy link to the rest of the city and Fort Concho Elementary, the school directly next to the fort.

The proposal went before the city’s Planning Commission last month and was recommended for approval.  The commission found that there would be no negative affects caused by the removal of the road and that it would provide more safety and security to visitors of the fort. 

Planning staff also reported that existing or anticipated traffic patterns would not be affected should the proposal pass.  Fire Chief Brian Dunn stated that closing the road “will in no way impede the operations of the San Angelo Fire Department.” 

The most common argument for keeping the road is convenience.  Residents, and those that travel through Fort Concho regularly, have been using the street to easily go from one place to another or drop off/pick up their kids from the elementary school. 

Several residents of the neighborhood mentioned safety concerns, specifically the response times of fire and police departments, in the public remarks portion of the vote.  

This was the fourth time the proposal had been voted on by the City Council.