Firestone getting new name

PRESCOTT – Area residents need not be alarmed when they see new signs going up at Firestone.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, told the Prescott City Council, at its July meeting Monday night, she and Mayor Terry Oliver met with representatives from Firestone, which has been sold to Holcim. The new company will be replacing the signage, but has no plans on closing, she said. The parent company is Holcim, while Firestone’s new name will be Elevate. Initially, she said, a banner will cover the Firestone sign until the new one is installed.

She informed the panel the third bid for the sidewalk project will be opened on Aug. 2. No bids were submitted the first two times and at least two bids are expected to be received this time.

In addition, Godwin said a preconstruction meeting has been held for state aid street projects. The city has been approved for $300,000 worth of work to be done on Whiteside, West Olive, Greenlawn and Third Street. This will be overlay projects and construction should begin this week. However, she pointed out, Whiteside is in bad shape and will additional work done before asphalt can be poured. A company from Smackover will do the work.

The biggest discussion dealt with a resolution seeking a grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for improvements at McRae Park. Godwin said the resolution would allow the city to apply for the 50-50 grant. Improvements at McRae Park include: the concession stand, building a parking lot, adding LED lighting to help with vandalism, installing a fence between the basketball court and street and adding covers over the playground equipment.

Det. Joey Grayson, with the Prescott Police Department, asked about cameras in the City Park.

Godwin said they cost $3,500 and an additional $85 a month for internet.

Councilman Ivory Curry said when park improvements are done, cameras should be included as they are a necessity these days. He added vandals should be held accountable for their actions.

It was suggested basketball courts be added to City Park.

Councilman Howard Austin asked how many “city” parks Prescott has. Oliver said there are three, City Park, McRae Park and the James Johnson Sports Complex, adding the Nevada County Fairgrounds aren’t considered to be a park. Austin continued, saying if the Johnson Complex is a city park, the city needs to control it. Oliver pointed out the city has an interlocal agreement with the Prescott School District and the city takes care of the baseball fields there.

Godwin returned to the query about basketball courts at City Park, saying asphalt is there where courts used to be. Park Director Steve Crow said there used to be basketball courts at the park, but the city was asked to remove them by churches in the area because of the loud music being played when the courts were in use on Sunday mornings. He added with the current configuration of the park, vehicles can’t drive where the goals were.

Oliver  suggested putting portable goals on the tennis court. He said the city is considering putting a fence around the splash pad and adding a gate to make it easier for senior citizens to take their grandchildren to the splash pad without having to walk all the way from the current parking area to the pads. He added it may be best to see what the new park director wants to do as Crow is retiring. Oliver said he feels it’s best to use the asphalt for the old courts as parking for the splash pad.

All four tennis courts aren’t being used, Crow said, and permanent goals could be put on two of them. He added, there’s already lighting there.

Godwin chimed in reminding the council the resolution needed to be approved. It was with an 8-0 vote.

She continued her report telling the council three houses have been razed and there’s more to do, but the city hasn’t been able to secure a track hoe to take them down. She said the city is on a waiting list and when a track hoe becomes available, work will resume on taking down old houses. She said people are doing better keeping their yards mowed.

During the announcement portion of the meeting, Oliver said Crow is retiring as parks director after 22 years, adding he also coached more than 20 years and served on the council for 10 years.

Austin asked about the new trash truck and was told it arrived Monday.

Councilman Susie Meeks pointed out an error on the agenda which showed the next meeting to be May 15 instead of Aug. 15.

Curry reminded the council the Nevada County Library is feeding children lunch Tuesday-Friday until Aug. 15. He said his community feed is Saturday, July 23 and the back to school bash he presents will be July 30 with a game truck, bounce houses, food and games. It will be from 5-7 p.m.

Oliver said National Night Out will be at the fairgrounds on Aug. 2. Grayson added there will be food trucks and a bounce house at National Night Out, with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Prescott Fire Department being on hand as well.

The PPD will be offering a self-defense class at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 23.