LCDC meets, discusses upcoming improvements for community

The Liberty Community Development Corporation Board of Directors met on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Following the initial formalities, General Manager Tom Warner opened with his report that had an approved motion for an $88,000 downtown façade grant program.

Quite a few projects under construction were discussed. Topping the list of new builds included: Sleep Inn Hotel (1023 N. Main), Fuel Maxx (1025 N. Main), 7-Eleven (2000 U.S. 90), and Firm Foundations Healthcare (2708 Jefferson Drive).

Additionally, Lakeland Apartments will be undergoing an interior remodel, as well as Tractor Supply Company and Shelly Knapp, CPA.

Upcoming projects were the focus of the next topic. These included Swamp Smoke BBQ, Maxx Self-Storage, a food truck park, and the restaurant “Pueblos.”

Of particular interest was the city golf course. It has been officially closed since April 5 for renovations and construction activities; the expected completion date is now Nov. 30. However, the window for planting warm-weather grass was passed over. Therefore, it will be seeded for winter grass, and in the spring, it will be seeded with warm-weather grass. Mr. Warner clarified further with the following statements: “We’re thinking that it’s going to open sometime in January. We’re waiting for the seeding to take (hold). What we are thinking is that we are going to open the course, but we’re going to have to close it again in the spring when they start planting the Bermuda.”

All told, it appears that the re-opening will occur between June and July 2022. Further improvements will include new restrooms, a paved cart path “staging area,” enlarged parking lots, and pergola-covered tennis courts.

City Council approved a lease agreement with Scott Neal to operate a restaurant at the clubhouse. The anticipated opening date is set to be the first week of December.

Also under consideration was the budget increase for a research project concerning Liberty’s municipal airport, in correlation with local wildlife and its impact. On Nov. 3, the airport advisory board met to discuss a lack of fencing surrounding the airport. The study must be conducted prior to the fencing, even though it will cost roughly $40,000. Procedures must be followed, no matter how insignificant they seem, in order for the fencing budget to come through. The council unanimously approved this as a long-term, money-saving option for the county.

Local businesswoman Tracey Williams followed with a proposal for beautification pertaining to her company for the city. A detailed plan, along with descriptive pictures, was presented, and the council unanimously approved the idea.