Sidewalk Bars, Neighborhood Revitalization and River Fest on City Council Agenda

City Council has a full agenda to work through Tuesday, as they meet for the first time since Dec. 17. Of the items on the agenda, some of the highlights include an updated plan for the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Project (NRP), a request for licensing a sidewalk café in front of Grinner’s Daiquiri Bar, a request to amend the leasing agreement for the San Angelo Bandits football team, and consideration of making River Fest an annual event.

Neighborhood Revitalization Project

Since 2005, the City of San Angelo has been making an effort to improve deteriorated neighborhoods via the Neighborhood Revitalization Project. Initial planning included four neighborhoods deemed to be in the most need, among them Blackshear, Reagan, Ft. Concho, and Rio Vista. The plan has now been updated to increase the scope of the Reagan and Ft. Concho areas, which Council will discuss on Tuesday.[[{"fid":"2221","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"The boundaries of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan area are outlined and shaded in grey on the map. (Image Courtesy of COSA) ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"The boundaries of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan area are outlined and shaded in grey on the map. (Image Courtesy of COSA) "},"type":"media","attributes":{}}]]

The housing stock in Reagan is the oldest in the city, 91 percent of the structures built prior to 1970 and 69 percent built prior to 1950. The housing in Ft. Concho is also old, with 87 percent built prior to 1970 and 64 percent built prior to 1950.

The objectives of the NRP are to eliminate slum and blight and instill neighborhood pride through Neighborhood Blitzes, housing rehabilitations and other services.

Grinner’s Daiquiri Bar

Garrick Engle, owner of Grinner’s, is seeking a temporary sidewalk agreement, which would allow him to set up tables and chairs in front of the bar’s location at 217 S Chadbourne. The outdoor lounge would be set up on the sidewalk before the bar, and the permit would include the right the to dispense, sale and consume alcoholic beverages.

The City has been working on expanding the sidewalk segments downtown that were previously too narrow, which opens up opportunities for businesses such as Grinner’s who could utilize the additional space.

San Angelo Bandits

The San Angelo Bandits football team is seeking an amendment to their lease agreement with the City due to unanticipated losses of approximately $138,000 in their inaugural season. Owner of the Bandits, Randy Sanders, signed a three-year lease with the city on Jan. 7, 2013. On Oct. 31, 2013, Sanders presented the requested changes to the Civic Events Advisory Board, who approved the changes.

Sanders is requesting a reduction in rent and waiving of concession fees, as well as waiving the fees during practices with the agreement that the AC will not be turned on and lights will be minimally used. The Civic Events Board approved everything but the rent reduction.

River Fest

The organizers of the River Fest, which took place on Oct. 18-19 of last year, are seeking input from Council on whether to make it an annual event. Organizers report that River Fest was “mostly a success”, and are proposing some changes should the event continue annually. Changes include tightening up the scope of the area; clearing sponsorship levels; improving layouts of concessions and activities; moving the date to late September or early October and merging it with the Lily Fest; better linking between event partners; adding performers; consider adding arts and crafts vendors; broadening the range of musical performers; and consider adding a barbeque cookoff.