Parking area on North 4th purchased

The Red Oak City Council approved a land purchase with the goal of cleaning up the Red Oak downtown.

At the regular meeting Jan. 20, the council agreed to buy the land at 401 N. 4th St. City administrator Brad Wright said the property in question is the open parking area just west of where the city currently has the recycling bins.

“The Red Oak Downtown, LLC recently purchased this property from Dennis Larson, and we are purchasing it from them. The purchase price is $28,693, which is what the Downtown LLC paid, plus closing costs. This property has been an eyesore for years and the city will now be able to get it cleaned up,” commented Wright.

The council also heard a presentation from Dave Sturm, with Snyder & Associates, who presented the street inventory and condition report to the city. Last fall they drove the streets and rated them for their surface condition.

“The report prioritizes streets that need rehabilitation within the city. This will be used as a tool as the city moves forward with developing the next street improvement project, which is currently planned for 2021.”

Wright also updated the council on the status of the Red Oak Municipal Pool project, and said a meeting with the contractor was held Jan. 8. Plans are for more concrete to be poured sometime this week.

Additionally, Wright said discussions are taking place in regards to replacing the stage at Fountain Square Park.

“A meeting was held about the stage in Fountain Square Park, and Snyder & Associates is working on a design and hope to get this project moving forward,” said Wright.

The council also scheduled a special meeting Jan. 27, to set a public hearing regarding maximum property tax dollars and maximum levy for the City of Red Oak, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.