Small projects approved

GENTRY — Council members on Monday unanimously approved money to build two handicap-accessible parking spaces at the Gentry Senior Activity Center and to finish tuck-pointing the library building.

Using $9,000 in leftover Urban Development Action Grant money, the city will spend approximately $3,000 to build two handicap parking spaces and sidewalk access from the spaces to the senior activity center building and the remaining $6,000, plusabout $1,000 more from money earmarked for library maintenance, to finish library tuck-pointing.

The UDAG money was received by the city a number of years ago as a part of a tax incentive program to draw new business to the area. Most of the money was used for the original fire station project. The remaining $9,000 has been left untouched for some time and can only be used for city infrastructure - brick-and-mortar projects - Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue said.

Tuck-pointing was needed at the library to prevent water from leaking into the renovated building through old mortar. Robert Krein has tuck-pointed most of the building and will be able to finish the remaining portions of the external walls for about $7,000.

Parking has been an issue at the senior activity center building, especially on court days, and the building currently has no handicap accessible parking. The project will include the pour of a 20-by-25-foot 4-inch concrete slab, marking the two parking spots and adding striping to the sidewalk between the parking spaces.

Bill Allcorn of Allcorn, Inc., Concrete Construction, Colcord. Okla., has submitted an estimate of $2,200 for the concrete work and striping at the senior center.

Though no action was taken at the council meeting, the city is doing some minor improvements to the old court clerk’s office behind the court room and adjacent to the police department to prepare it for police department use. Expenditures for paint and other materials are being paid for out of police department maintenance funds, Hogue said.