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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.nov04VOL.2 • NO.7 A Publication of the City of Georgetown November 2004 © City of Georgetown, 2004 In September, Georgetown offi- cials were greatly surprised to learn of an unprecedented gift when Jack and Cammy Garey told the City Council that their 525-acre ranch west of Georgetown is to be donated to the City of Georgetown through their wills. In addition, the Gareys announced a $5 million matching cash bequest to the City, upon their deaths, for the development of the ranch into “Garey Park.” The Gareys’ $5 million cash gift to the City for development of the park is conditioned on a matching amount to be raised within three years after the ranch is deeded to the City. The total value of the cash donation and the ranch, which includes the Gareys’ estate home, is approximately $13 million–by far the largest gift the City of Georgetown has ever received. When it is deeded to the City, Garey Park will be more than four times the size of Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park (130 acres) and larger than Austin’s Zilker Park (351 acres). At an announcement in September about the Gareys’ gift, Georgetown Mayor Gary Nelon said, “We had already decided we needed a major park on our west side, so this comes at exactly the right time.” Referring to the high rate of residential and commercial growth in area, the Mayor added, “This park will be an oasis from development.” As the owner of a road and highway construction firm since 1978, Jack Garey has witnessed first-hand the explosive growth in Central Texas that has transformed ranchland into roads and housing subdivisions. Garey says that their desire to preserve their ranch on Leander Rd. west of Georgetown was prompted by the expanding development nearby, including the construction of Ronald W. Reagan Blvd. (formerly the Parmer Lane Extension). “As you can see it’s a very beau- tiful place,” says Jack Garey. “It would just be a shame to see it cut up and developed. We’re just happy to be able to donate it and restrict it in perpetuity for recre- ational and park use. My only wish is that I could come back in 50 years and take a peek and see how it’s all going.” The Gareys’ gift includes the ranch property, with more than a mile of river-front along the South San Gabriel River, as well as a 6,500 square-foot estate home that could be used as a retreat center in the future. Cammy Garey visited country villas from the Tuscany region of Italy, which were the inspiration for her “Texas Tuscan” home. Parks Director Randy Morrow will work with the Gareys to devel- op a master plan for the future park, which could include hiking trails, equestrian trails, camping areas, interpretive areas and athletic fields. Early voting starts Oct. 18 Nov. 2 Bond Election Proposition 1:New public library, Cost: $9.8 million Proposition 2:Expansion and renovation of City Recreation Center, Cost: $10 million Proposition 3:Expansion and renovation of the Community Center in San Gabriel Park, Cost: $1.6 million Conceptual floor plans and other details about the proposed facilities on the Nov. 2 ballot are available on the City of Georgetown web site at www.georgetown.org. From the homepage, go to the “Features” section and click on “Facilities Bond Program.” Garey Ranch Will Become 525-Acre City Park Bequest is largest gift ever to City Georgetown Municipal Airport Design begins on control tower Design work will begin this fall on the air traffic control tower at the Georgetown Municipal Airport. Federal funding for the tower was approved in August by the TX- DOT. Engineering firm PBS&J was selected to design the control tower and identify the optimal location at the Airport. Smith-Western Engineering and Castleberry Surveying, two Georgetown companies, will assist PBS&J on the project. The FAA will pay for salaries of the air traffic controllers who will staff the tower, as well as 90% of the cost to build the tower. The Airport Fund, which is supported by rev- enues generated at the Airport, will pay the remaining 10 % of the design and construction costs. The Gareys’ gift includes the ranch property, with more than a mile of river-front along the South San Gabriel River, as well as a 6,500 square-foot estate home. Lighting of the Square, Nov. 26 Come join this annual tradition at dusk on the Friday after Thanksgiving when the lights on the Williamson County Courthouse dome are lit, marking the start of the holiday season. Bring your family for holiday carols and refreshments on the down- town Square, a tradition that will put a smile on your face and rekin- dle the holiday spirit in your heart. Thank You From the Gtwn Animal Shelter Georgetown Animal Shelter and Georgetown Animal Outreach would like to thank everyone who helped make Pet Expo 2004 a big success! Pet Expo was held on Sept. 18 at the Show Barn in San Gabriel Park. In addition to demonstrations, contests, and other activities, 14 animals were adopted into new homes and $4,500 was raised for our homeless animals. Thank you to all our vol- unteers who worked so hard, and to the public for their continued support of our Shelter. Fire Safety House for Georgetown FD The Georgetown Fire Department will be using a $44,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase a Fire Safety House. This classroom on wheels will allow the Fire Department to teach kids, parents, and seniors how to get out of a home safely when fire strikes. The Fire Safety House contains class- room seating and allows firefight- ers to teach people about common risks in the home, fire prevention steps, and how to escape should a fire strike in the home. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org HS Football Nov. 5th Post-Game PartyNEWSbriefs! Because of recent changes to the City sign ordinance, citizens and business owners need to be aware of new rules for placing or posting signs. These rules apply to all areas within the Georgetown City Limits, as well as within Georgetown’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction or ETJ, which extends two miles beyond the City Limits. Signs may not be placed or erected within ten feet (10 ft.) of the curb or actual ROW (right-of-way) along City or County roads. Signs may not be placed or erected within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) or the Retail Demand Nearly $1 Billion for Georgetown Area A recent study of the local econo- my shows enormous consumer demand in the area. The Retail Trade Area study for Georgetown found a consumer demand of $993 million for goods and services, compared to a retail supply of $494 million. The study shows a breakdown of retail supply and demand in the Georgetown retail trade area by income, age, sex, and industry sector. The study was an outcome of a cit- izens committee that has been working with the City’s Economic Development Department on analysis of the local economy. The City hired the Capital Area Planning Council (CAPCO) to conduct the study, which is avail- able on the Economic Development web site at www.investgeorgetown.org. Georgetown Reads! Voting by the public for the book that will be the focus of Georgetown Reads! ended Oct. 15 and the winner will be announced Nov. 1. Multiple copies of the book will be available to check out at the library soon after Nov. 1. There will be a reception to kick off the project on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the library. Everyone is invited to hear Jean Brashear and Joan Hall speak briefly about the book that all of Georgetown is invited to read. actual ROW along any state highway, including Austin Ave., Leander Rd, Williams Dr., University Ave., and Hwy 971. Business signs, including temporary banners, may not be placed or erected without City approval and a permit. No signs may ever be placed on utili- ty poles, street signs, or traffic signs. For more information concerning the sign ordinance and rules for placement of signs for garage sales, open houses, new subdivisions, or events, contact the Code Enforcement Office at 930-3601. Signs Not Permitted in Right-of-Way Crankin’ Karaoke Friday Nov. 5, 9:30-11:30 p.m. No admission charge. Participants must be currently enrolled in Georgetown High School grades 9-12. Come hang out at the Recreation Center after the Eagles Home game. A drug- and alcohol-free event sponsored by the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation, the Georgetown Project and the Georgetown Youth Advisory Board. Halloween Haunted House “Terror on the Hill” at the Old Jailhouse, 312 Main St. Saturday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adults: $5.00 • Children under 10: $3.00 Co-sponsored by the Georgetown Police Department and the Georgetown High School Bands. - All proceeds benefit the Georgetown Band program. Adult Dancing Classes taught by Sandie Anderson Country Western Dance Fridays 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Enjoy the Texas two-step, waltz, polka, and swing while making new friends. Register alone or with a partner. Fee: $18 resident, $21 nonresident Ballroom Dance Fridays 7:45 - 8:45 p.m. Learn the elegant dance your parents and grandparents knew. Learn everything from the waltz, foxtrot, and cha-cha to swing, tango, and samba. Bring a partner or come alone, all are welcome. Fee: $18 resident, $21 nonresident Hapkido taught by Don Kirsch Mon. and Wed. 7 - 8:30 p.m., Saturdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A comprehensive martial art class that does not rely on physical strength. It is an art suitable for all age ranges and has many physical and mental health benefits. Fee: $40 resident, $45 nonresident Featured Classes at Georgetown Recreation Center: For registration information, call the Recreation Center at 930-3596, or visit our website at www.georgetown.org.