By Michael V. Hannigan/HCNow
The Athens City Council added about $125,000 to the Texan rehabilitation project Monday night to replace the south wall of the building.
The council voted for the expenditure 4-1, with Councilman Ed McCain voting against. McCain said the council decided months ago to hold the line on the budget for the project and said he couldn’t vote for any increase.
“This (project) started as an open-air park,” he said.
The increase will take the Texan budget near $1.6 million.
Construction officials told council members the wall — which fronts East Tyler Street — needed to be replaced because it is pulling away from adjoining walls near the parapet.
While council members questioned why problems with the wall were not identified earlier in the project, they agreed that it was a necessary repair at this point.
“However we got here and whatever should have been done in the first place, we are where we are,” said Councilwoman Toni Garrard Clay. “It’s got to be done.”
The City is expected to file with its insurance company under “errors and ommissions” to try and recoup the money spent on the wall.
In addition, the council chose not to vote on an agenda item to buy audiovisual equipment and furnishings for the Texan. Council was presented two possible packages, one for $240,000 and one for $83,000.
Mayor Monte Montgomery said he believes the plan was to have the equipment and furnishings paid for with private donations.
The post Council approves fixing south wall of Texan Theater appeared first on Henderson County Now.