Neighborhood News

AH Council Picks Site for New, Permanent Bike Park, Extends Temporary Park So Kids Can Ride

BY RON AARON EISENBERG

At the February 8 meeting, the Alamo Heights City Council unanimously voted to establish a bike park on property in the general area of the Alamo Heights High School baseball field, the Bark Park, and Alamo Heights Blvd. The decision also includes a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Alamo Heights Independent School District, a property survey, land clearing, and any other necessary costs within budget.

The Council also approved extending the lease for the Alamo Heights temporary bike park through March 19, 2021.

Elizabeth Cox, Vice-President of Development for the Bike Park Association, told 78209 Magazine, “We are pleased to see the temporary location extended through Spring Break and appreciate all the collaboration with the city leadership thus far. We look forward to continuing our work to find a permanent place for the Bike Park.”

Cox noted, “My fifteen-year-old son, Weston, surveyed the neighborhood and found 150 kids who said they would like to use the bike park. We have all levels of riders – from 4-years old and up. “It is very cool to watch how the kids mentor each other.”

The aerial view shows the three parcels identified as possible sites for the Bike Park. Council members chose the site outlined in Teal -- light blue. The area will be widened and lengthened, per the council directive. The area outlined in yellow is the temporary bike park.

Aerial photo courtesy of AH City Council. Bike park Viable Locations: Location 1: NW portion of Hondondo Trails; Location 2: N of Bark Park, S of Corona; Location 3: Between Bark Park & AH BB Field.

No date has been announced for opening the permanent park.

Construction will soon change the look of the main thoroughfare through Olmos Park, thanks to the Olmos Park City Council’s authorizing the EDC to spend $506,510 on new curbs, sidewalk repairs, landscaping, driveways, and lighting on McCullough from the railroad tracks — Olmos Park’s northern city limits — to Clarence Street.

In the works since 2018, the project is now rolling out to upgrade the primary thoroughfare through the city.

Other work includes enhancing bicycle-lane markings, re-striping, and the installation of raised pavement buttons on McCullough from Clarence to Ridgewood Court. There will be some other surface upgrades on McCullough, too.

In addition, crack filling, resurfacing, and re-striping around the Cowboy Kennels parking lot will be done. This measure involves increasing safety at the pet-boarding facility by adding slanted parking spaces, so visitors don’t have to back onto the road at a wrong angle.

City officials and business owners along McCullough agree the project will significantly enhance McCullough’s look and welcoming feel. They say it will be good for business.

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AH Council Says No to a Tornado Warning Siren

After weeks of debating whether a city-wide tornado warning siren was needed to alert residents to imminent danger, the Alamo Heights City Council listened to neighbors who had complained about noise and voted instead to reimburse residents who purchase tornado warning devices. The reimbursement was capped at $50.00.

The Council also noted smartphones are nearly all equipped to receive weather alerts. Fire Chief Michael Gdovin shared photos and information about dozens of tornado warning devices residents can purchase at various prices. He also shared with Council how smartphones can alert residents to dangerous weather.

Elsa T. Robles Named Alamo Heights City Secretary

Alamo Heights city manager Buddy Kuhn has appointed Elsa T. Robles as city secretary. She replaces Jennifer Reyna, who is now assistant to the city manager. Robles comes to Alamo Heights from the city of Hondo, where she worked in city government for seven years.

She was born and raised in Hondo and is the first in her family of five children to have gone on to college.

She married “my best friend,” Adrian Rodriquez. They have three boys, ages 17, 11, and 5. She told 78209 Magazine, “I’m excited to be here. It is a close-knit community. I look forward to the future and am very grateful for the opportunity to serve.”

The City Secretary reports directly to the City Manager and is responsible for performing a wide variety of professional duties supporting the activities and services of the Administration Department.

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