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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10342 RES - 07/07/19717- 7- 71:mv1 ,. .M A RESOLUTION RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE LOCALITY'S BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. WHEREAS, pursuant to a certain application which is being filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development requesting an Urban Beautification Grant as authorized by Title IX of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (which amended Title VII of the Housing Act of 1961); and WHEREAS, the policies and procedures of the Department of Housing and Urban Development require that the governing body of the City of Corpus Christi officially adopt the locality's Urban Beautification Program; and WHEREAS, the Urban Beautification Program has been prepared for City of Corpus Christi, Texas; and WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, has reviewed and considered at length the Urban Beautification Program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi has reviewed and considered at length the Urban Beauti- fication Plan comprising a 12 page document dated June 25, 1971 of enumer- ated projects and has approved and adopted it in all respects. Passed and approved, this day of July, 1971. ATTEST: City Se ret iYOR THE CITY OF 0 S CHRISTI, TEXAS ROVED: DAY OF JULY, 1971: i� City Attorney 10342 � - • URBAN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI A. SCOPE To establish a program of improvement for parks and other public areas in the City of Corpus Christi that will make them more attractive and usable as follows: 1. To establish a program for the systematic expansion of the neighborhood and regional parks system as a part of the continu- ing planning program in the city, including the financing of a park development fund to be utilized along with assistance from the Federal Government for the purchase of park lands. 2. To promote a wider acceptance of the need for large parks in the community, offering a wide range of recreational facilities within the urban area. 3. To build a parks system in accordance with a long -range plan, examining every opportunity for the purchase of land and to provide facilities for the parks which will best serve the public. B. INPUT TO THE PLAN 1. The plan will be formulated through the combined efforts of the City staff and interested and active citizen groups. The City staff will be from the Planning Department, the Park and Recrea- r-A C J tion Department and from other city departments needed in their specialty areas. In addition, neighborhood groups and individuals will be available for planning assistance in the process of bring- ing forth ideas and suggestions that help form the plan for their area. 2. The City Park and Recreation Department has for many years con- ducted a continuous park capital improvement program adhering to both a one -year program and to an extended program to include the broader aspects of long -range planning. This type of planning, complemented by a yearly- funded and rigidly- controlled annual budget process has enabled this community to make significant strides in developing its resources in many of the areas of urban beautification. Once improved, these areas are continuously maintained by this department to preserve the development and expand their use by the community. 3. The Applicant, through its Park and Recreation and other City Departments, conducts a continuing program of both youth and adult enrichment in the area of employment of disadvantaged citizens. The Applicant has been a sponsor to such programs as the Neighbor- hood Youth Corps, the Summer Youth Program, the Operation Mainstream Program, and others. Youth and adults have been trained in park and recreation jobs and some of these have developed sufficient interest and capability to be permanently employed by the Applicant and other agencies. -2- 4. The Applicant also has a number of controls that help to preserve the best attributes of a good community: (a) Through a system of zoning ordinances blight, decay and other undesirable development has been controlled. (b) Ordinances prohibit the accumulation of litter, control placement of signs, and control weed and noxious plant growth. (c) A weed control unit operates for the specific purpose of cleaning vacant land, pruning street trees, and clearing intersections, an effort resulting in both aesthetic and utilitarian improvement. (d) An ordinance regula- ting garbage cans controls their design and placement. The enforcement of this ordinance has both aesthetic and health implications. C. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLAN The City of Corpus Christi will pursue the steps involved in planning, building, and maintaining this program as submitted or as modified to meet the needs of the citizens of this community. D. THE PLAN This plan covers a period of five years with the first three years made of specific projects with the fourth and fifth years being termed as general projects in concepts. Improvements to park areas in the plan will include the following: Construction Grading and topography work Soil preparation -3- Irrigation systems Walks, steps, and retaining walls Shelters, patios, and special areas i Picnic tables and outdoor grills Tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, and other games courts Ballfields and open play areas Playground and special feature areas Planting Shade trees Flowering trees Flowering shrubs Plants for mass effect Plants for accent Annual and perennial flowers General planting for function and aesthetics Each project will not include all of these nor will improvements necessarily be limited to the aforementioned. Some areas will be carried over into later years for additional developments as the need and funds become available. E. THE FIRST YEAR (1971 -72) Included in the first year (1971 -72) are improvements to 20 park and public areas. These areas are as follows: -4- Key: u - unimproved p - partly improved Comments: The parks in the first year of the program are mostly neighborhood parks and will generally receive the following improvements: grading and drainage, installation of water lines, trees and shrubs, grass, play and picnic equipment, and shelters, or other such small improvements. Exceptions to this are T. C. Ayers Park, Garden Center Park, Alameda Medians, and Old Bayview Cemetery which will be ornamental in nature. The C.C. Beach P,estroom will be a building only and will have some landscaping. The Nueces River Park is rustic in nature and will receive more improvements such as camping, picnicking and fishing facilities. Total additional acreage to be developed during the first year is 58 acres. (Attention is directed to UB121 in the Urban Beautification for additional information relative to the projects in the first year of the plan). -5- u Schanen Park p Moody Park p Westhaven Park u Candlewood Park p Cole Park p Nueces River Park p Airport Park p Wranosky Park u Alamedians p Kingston Park u Pine- Pueblo Park u C.C. Beach Restrooms u Stonegate Park u Lexington Park p Garden Center Park p T. C. Ayers Park u South Bay Park p Old Bayview Cemetery p West Guth Park u Country Club Park Key: u - unimproved p - partly improved Comments: The parks in the first year of the program are mostly neighborhood parks and will generally receive the following improvements: grading and drainage, installation of water lines, trees and shrubs, grass, play and picnic equipment, and shelters, or other such small improvements. Exceptions to this are T. C. Ayers Park, Garden Center Park, Alameda Medians, and Old Bayview Cemetery which will be ornamental in nature. The C.C. Beach P,estroom will be a building only and will have some landscaping. The Nueces River Park is rustic in nature and will receive more improvements such as camping, picnicking and fishing facilities. Total additional acreage to be developed during the first year is 58 acres. (Attention is directed to UB121 in the Urban Beautification for additional information relative to the projects in the first year of the plan). -5- • F. THE SECOND YEAR (1972 -73) The second year will introduce new projects, however, some of the projects will be additional phases of overall projects that are being phased, in their accomplishment, in more than one year. Projects for the second year will be as follows: Hillcrest - This project will expand an existing neighborhood park and more completely form a joint park - school facility with an elementary grade school. As a federally- funded project, the overall Neighborhood Improvement Program related to this low income neighborhood will also improve nearly ten miles of residential streets. The planting of street trees and ornamental screen plantings will be an Integral part of this neighborhood improvement plan. Hudson Park - A park will be added to this low income area that has no existing recreation area. Residential streets will also be improved in this area under an approved federal program. Elgin Park - This park has been expanded under an existing federal program and will add needed park facilities to this low- income area. Greenwood Park - This area is a closed sanitary land fill, and its improvement in this low income area will provide landscaped open green space, ball fields, and a swimming pool. This -6- • 48 -acre park adjoins and will complement the development of an adjoining elementary grade school. Bayfront Parks - This series of open areas between Corpus Christi Bay and Ocean Drive comprises approximately 25 acres. Its development will not only provide beauty spots along the, bayfront but will provide refreshing vistas to Corpus Christi Bay. Municipal Service Center - Various open spaces within this 84- acre tract will be developed as park and ornamental areas. Peripheral areas will serve not only the function of a neighborhood park but will provide lunching areas for the employees of this city facility. Tree plantings will be coordinated with surrounding residential street tree plantings. Glen Arbor Park - This neighborhood park occurs within a rapidly Increasing high density area. The development of this area will help to alleviate this density problem. Nueces River Park - The total amount of nearly 40 acres is available for development of recreational facilities adjoin- ing the river. Current and first year improvements include an access road, picnic tables, grills, and shelters. Later development will include water and sanitary facilities, fish- ing facilities, and baseball backstops. -7- • Schanen Park - This 18 -acre park adjoins a junior high school and helps to form a total park- school complex of some 40 acres. Significant improvements are likely to be phased into this area including a swimming pool, multi- purpose slab and shelter building, and others. An adjoining drainage ditch will likely be improved to form a green belt link with other parts of the city and could include bike and bike paths. Kingston Park - This neighborhood park needs additional develop- ments such as shelters, landscaping, and a recreation structure. West Guth Park - This 80 -acre regional park has a number of improvements such as a swimming pool, small lake, picnic and barbecue shelter, restrooms, and picnic and play areas. Because of the high use of this area, an expansion of exist- ing facilities and more facilities are needed. Comments: Where sizes of areas were omitted, the parks range in size from 32 to 5; acres. As in other areas, citizen involve- ment in the execution of these projects will be encouraged. G. THE THIRD YEAR (1973 -74) Bayfront Science Park - This 15 -acre park has a museum and an arts and science building, and has its setting at the entrance to the Port of Corpus Christi. The completed development of this area will provide a popular cultural beauty spot in the community. -8- • North Channel Park - This small area adjoins the channel to the Port of Corpus Christi and is on the opposite side from South Channel Park which is a contiguous area to the Bayfront Science Park. The development of this area will provide parking, fishing facilities, and beautification. Municipal Service Center - This service area will be developed in stages over a period of several years, and with each phase will come additional improvement to parks, open space, and buffer areas. Corpus Christi Beach Restoration - This project involves, among other improvements, the widening of the (eroded) beach area from 100 to 300 feet in width over a distance of 1.4 miles. This restoration will be accompanied by parking areas, rest rooms, concession areas, and other recreational facilities along with landscaping. This project will necessarily affect the overall beautification in the area and will in- volve not only street tree planting but a movement to upgrade the appearance of private property in the area. Timon Parkway - Previously a railroad right -of -way, this 11 -acre strip extends the length of Corpus Christi Beach and its improvement will greatly uplift the beautification of the area. The development of this area will relate to the Corpus Christi Beach Restoration project and will likewise affect the upgrading of general beautification of private and public property alike. -9- Schanen Park - This park, phased in an earlier year will be an area of continuing development of additional facilities indicated in further planning studies. Cole Park - This bayfront park is a focal point for activities on the bayfront. Additional improvements such as an amphi- theater, an open air pavilion, and concession and additional restroom facilities are items in the long -term plan. Westhaven Park - This neighborhood park is partially developed and a swimming pool is recommended in the long -term plan. This park is located adjacent to a low- income subdivision that is in the process of being improved under a federal neighborhood improvement program. Reserve Projects in the Plan Improvements that are currently under consideration in various areas but have not been established in a scheduled priority because of more detailed planning needed and fund source determinations need to be made are as follows: Oso Parkway - This parkway, along Oso Creek, will be a focal point and nucleus for a wide variety of recreational facilities in- cluding golf courses, lakes, and bridal paths. A master plan for the complex is needed to schedule phases for land acquisi- tion and subsequent development. Considerable acreage will be -10- involved, and the recreation impact will be far - reaching on both a local and regional basis. Flour Bluff Park - Acquisition of land is pending on which a recreation area is planned. There are no adequate recreation facilities for the general public in this area, and the need exists for a complete recreation complex. Staples Fill Land - This closed sanitary fill land is in an area subject to future growth. Plans will soon be prepared to determine the needs of the area and such features as open space play areas along with general family -type facilities are indicated. Cole Park - Continuing development on this popular site is in evidence. Additional water - oriented facilities are indicated for this area as people continue to frequent the park and are drawn to the water. Garden Center Park - A garden center building is currently located on this 23 -acre park. Development of the entire park is to fol- low the improvement of the part of the park that is directly related to the building. Rincon Park - This large park will occur at the north end of Corpus Christi Beach and will relate to the Corpus Christi Beach Restoration project as it serves to revitalize the entire area through improvement of both public and private beauty spots. -11- Park Acquisition Fund - A fund is planned so that money can be made available for the purchase of land to be developed later for recreation purposes. Land is available in growing areas in advance of development at lower prices than after develop- ment. After development, any land acquisition of prospective park areas of any appreciable size is prohibitive. Park acreage can be acquired in advance and not only will the total project cost less, but a more orderly and meaningful planning process can be conducted. SUMMARY The foregoing plan has indicated specific projects that have been pro- posed over three consecutive years. Beyond the three years, completing a five year period, are additional projects less clearly defined than the projects in the 3 -year program. These additional projects are proposed in a like or similar form and needs will become more known in the future as current projects are completed. It is likely that additional deserving projects will emerge in the process of conducting a continual and updating planning operation. As these new projects come to the forefront, they will be considered with other elements of the plan and will be phased into and become part of this ongoing plan. -12- CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS DAY OF �9 / TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH IN THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE OF THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE, A PUBLIC EMERGENCY AND IMPERATIVE NECESSITY EXIST FOR THE SUSPEN- SION OF THE CHARTER RULE OR REQUIREMENT THAT NO ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION SHALL BE PASSED FINALLY ON THE DATE IT IS INTRODUCED, AND THAT SUCH ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION SHALL BE READ AT THREE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL; I, THEREFORE, REQUEST THAT YOU SUSPEND SAID CHARTER RULE OR REQUIREMENT AND PASS THIS ORDI- NANCE FINALLY ON THE DATE IT IS INTRODUCED, OR AT THE PRESENT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL. RESP CTFULLY, O MAYOR THE CITY OF & CHRISTI, TEXAS THE CHARTER RULE WAS SUSPENDED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: RONNIE SIZEMORE CHARLES A. BONNIWELL ROBERTO BOSQUEZ REV. HAROLD T. BRANCH THOMAS V. GONZALES GABE LOZANO, SR. J. HOWARD STARK THE ABOVE ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: RONNIE SIZEMORE CHARLES A. BONNIWELL ROBERTO BOSQUEZ REV. HAROLD T. BRANCH THOMAS V. GONZALES GAGE LOZANO, SR. J. HOWARD STARK