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Hospital hopes to build clinic The West Columbia Economic Development Corporation heard a proposal Monday night from Brazosport Regional Health System to build an urgent care clinic in a new building next to the Walgreen’s currently under construction. Robert Worley of the Economic Development Alliance of Brazoria County and Daniel Buche of Brazosport Regional Health System spoke to the EDC about the possibility of building an urgent care facility that could be open for business within a year. Health care is a significant part of a city’s infrastructure, Worley said, necessary for economic development. Buche, Chief Executive Officer for BRHS, said the plans are to build in one of the spots on the pad site next to Walgreen’s. The building will be built to the hospital’s specifications. The urgent care center would be open probably five days a week and could handle minor emergencies and routine doctor visits. It could grow to include medical testing needed for employment as well. BRHS will put a significant amount of investment into the clinic, and will sign a 10-year lease. “We’re really excited about this opportunity,” Worley said. Because of the benefit to the city and its residents of having a clinic in town, BRHS is proposing a partnership with the EDC and the city. EDC, which is responsible for the 1/2 cent sales tax that is used for economic development, would be asked to pay $10,000 a month for 20 months to offset the startup costs. In addition, the city would be asked to negotiate the waiver of fees for utility taps, etc. The agreement will provide guarantees that if the hospital does not live up to the stipulations the city will be allowed to recoup the amount it has invested. The presentation was for information only and will have to be voted on by the EDC and the City Council before the agreement can be signed and construction can begin. Brazoria Bridge may be saved, but not repainted The continuing existence of the Brazos River Bridge at Brazoria seems more likely following a meeting last week between the city, county and state transportation officials, but while the historic bridge may escape the wrecking ball, it also will not be getting a fresh coat of paint anytime soon. The original agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation called for that agency to repaint the bridge and build approaches to it before turning it over to the city and county as a park once the new bridge is completed. At the time that agreement was made, the amount of money to refurbish the bridge was roughly the same as it would have cost to tear it down, said Larry Heckathorn of TxDOT, but in the over 10 years since then, costs have risen astronomically. To refurbish the bridge would require enclosing it in a giant plastic bag, sandblasting and repainting it, he said. Cost is estimated at around $5 million, and the state can’t afford to do it. Removal of the bridge, because of its designation on the National Register of Historic Places, is not on the table, said David Rogers of TxDOT. “Our documents do not address removal of the truss,” he said. “We have to talk about what we can do with the dilemma we have in regard to funding,” said Heckathorn. County Commissioner Mary Ruth Rhodenbaugh asked if there was a reason the bridge had to be painted. “I don’t think it needs to be painted,” she said. Brazoria Mayor Ken Corley said his concern was the cost of future inspections of the bridge. Rogers said that as a pedestrian bridge it does not fall under the requirements for inspections that a bridge carrying vehicles would have to follow. As a pedestrian bridge, the city and/or county would have to install lighting and pedestrian railings, which could cost around $100,000, Heckathorn said. Rhodenbaugh pointed out that just because the new bridge will be open in about two years does not mean the new park and pedestrian bridge has to be ready to open the first day traffic stops crossing the bridge. “We can fence it off for a few months,” she said. Corley said he thought it would be an eyesore to have a fenced off bridge sitting there. When the bridge was originally built, it sat for some time with no road leading to it, giving it the nickname, “The Bridge to Nowhere.” The county parks department is working on plans for the new park, including possibly an RV park under the bridge in the area currently being used as a staging area for construction of the new bridge. County Judge Joe King said he was fine with taking the bridge over if it doesn’t have to be repainted and the county doesn’t have to spend money on it right away. “The expense of painting it is what made me run backwards,” he said. County Engineer Gerald Roberts said he wanted to check on the liability to the county if the bridge was knowingly accepted with lead paint on it. Allowing the bridge to continue in its rusty state is not a safety issue as far as the integrity of the bridge is concerned, Heckathorn said. It was built to withstand years of heavy traffic, and should last for a long time as a pedestrian span even if it is rusted, he said. The huge cost of painting the bridge doesn’t mean that it will never happen. On occasion the federal government has enhancement funding available to save historic transportation elements, and the county could possibly receive some of that funding at a future date, Heckathorn also suggested maybe civic organizations could become involved in efforts to refurbish the bridge, For now, discussion of amending the agreement to allow the bridge to be taken over without being painted will be placed on the Commissioners Court agenda. Brazoria City Council will also discuss the matter. |
San Bernard River project impact study completed The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its environmental impact statement last week on the proposed dredging at the mouth of the San Bernard River, finding that re-opening the channel will have a beneficial impact on wildlife, vegetation and overall quality of the river. The Corps must now set two public hearings before the work can begin. Once the public hearings have been held and the final environmental assessment is signed, work on dredging can begin, sometime this fall. The study found that some wildlife will be temporarily affected by the dredging, but that when the project is complete it will result in more habitat for the birds, which include the piping plover, listed as a threatened species. Approximately 1.1 acres of habitat will be destroyed, but 2.5 acres will be created. The re-opening of the mouth of the river will also create new sand dunes and wetlands areas. The Corps decided to undertake dredging the mouth of the San Bernard because of the impact its closure has had on water traffic safety. With the mouth closed, water coming down the San Bernard flows into the intracoastal waterway and causes a cross current at the Brazos River gates. The Corps will dredge the river mouth 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep close to its historical location. The San Bernard mouth began to silt over when the Brazos River channel was created in 1939. Since then the San Bernard mouth has drifted and eventually became completely clogged with sand. County okays $30,000 fairground design study Brazoria County Commissioners approved a contract with Naismith Engineering for $30,000 for a preliminary study and design plan for the renovation and expansion of the county fairgrounds. In addition to Naismith, PBK Architects also presented a proposal to the county. PBK officials offered to do preliminary promotional and design work at no charge, but the company’s preliminary construction cost is higher than Naismith’s. The county hopes to use this study to determine whether or not to go forward with a possible bond election in November or possibly next May for improvements at the fairgrounds. A deadline of August 26 must be met to get it on the November ballot, and the study might not be completed by that time. A $38.5 million bond issue failed in 2005. That bond sought to build a new fairgrounds complex at Highway 288 and County Road 44. Estimates for replacing the buildings at the current site are $30 million to $40 million. Celebrations planned throughout West Brazos West Brazos area residents will have numerous opportunities this weekend to celebrate America’s freedoms at any or all of the following events: SWEENY The Sweeny Chamber of Commerce Old-Fashioned Fourth will begin with a parade at 4:30 p.m., down Main St. to Anderson Park, where the remainder of the festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Active duty service men and women will be grand marshals. Other events will include a homemade ice cream making contest, sponsored by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and a homemade pie baking contest. Pie categories are fruit, cream and all others, with first through third place in each category, and an overall grand champion selected from the first place winners. There will also be hot dogs, lemonade, entertainment and games such as horseshoes, washers, ladder golf, tug-of-war, three-legged races, wheelbarrow races and more. The final event of the evening will be a fireworks display. RIVER’S END The River’s End Volunteer Fire Department will treat the community to a fireworks display from the boat ramp at the end of FM 2918 on Friday, July 4, at dark (about 8:30 p.m.) You can come by road and park at the boat ramp, or come down by boat to watch the display. Bring the family, your lawn chairs, bug spray and your own refreshments. Parents are responsible their children’s safety at the fireworks display. WEST COLUMBIA The City of West Columbia invites the public to a fireworks display at First Capitol Park on Saturday, July 5, at dusk to enjoy backyard fireworks presented by the West Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. Residents are invited to bring their lawn chairs, food and drinks (no alcohol) with them. Seating is reserved at the parking lot of the park with parking available at the corner of N. 17th and N. 13th Streets courtesy of Triple Play. The city pool will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. for $1 admission. BOAT PARADE Friends of the River is planning its third annual San Bernard River July 4th Boat Parade on Saturday, July 5 at 5 p.m. The parade will begin at the Churchill Bridge 2611 and travel on down river to 2J’s Café and Marina. If you are interested in entering please attend a captain’s meeting at 2J’s Restaurant on Thursday, July 3, at 7 p.m., or call 964-4402. The public may view from one of the following viewing areas: High Five Bar and Grill, Las Playas boat ramp, 2J’s Café and Marina, or Churchill boat ramp (FM2611). |
| Email:thenews@brazoriacountynews.org P. O. Box 488, West Columbia, TX 77486 113 East Bernard Street Phone (979) 345-3127 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday |