Sunday, August 18, 2024
Interim City Manager Brad Hunt provided an update on plans for the new Gatesville Monument located at the corner of Business Highway 36 and State Highway 36 at regular city council meeting on Tuesday.
Hunt said Keep Gatesville Beautiful and The Gatesville Parks and Recreation Department will work together to bring various improvements to the monument, such as wording for a sign on the wall, mounting award plaques, and a statue or display in the center of the monument.
According to a previous article by The Messenger, the monument comes after the City of Gatesville received the Governor's Community Achievement Award in May 2021 due to Keep Gatesville Beautiful’s efforts to enhance the community. Those initiatives included the city's recycling program, partnerships with Fort Cavazos soldiers on cleanup and beautification projects, among other programs.
The monument was built using grant funds from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which allowed the city to construct the monument at no cost. The estimated cost for construction was up to $291,000.
After its completion in May 2024, TxDOT maintained the monument until Aug. 1 of this year. Now, maintenance and improvements will be overseen by the city. The Gatesville City Council agreed to the responsibility during a regular meeting in October 2023.
“We are now assuming responsibility for the final product, yes, but the amount that came from that did not come from the city taxpayers,” Hunt said.
Prior to assuming responsibility, Hunt said Gatesville Parks Director Seth Phillips worked with TxDOT representatives to ensure the irrigation system, electrical systems, and plant life were in good repair.
“Prior to August 1, we were then able to assume responsibility for a monument that is in as new condition,” Hunt said.
The upkeep and landscaping of the monument will be taken from the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget under the Gatesville Parks Department, which is expected to cost approximately $5,000 per year.
Chumley and Hunt also briefly discussed plans for an official dedication ceremony that would include the city council and other community leaders.
