Residents want public meeting over implosion

February 25, 2013, 10:00 pm by Adam Troxtell

A group of property owners near the old US 281 Bridge has asked the City of Marble Falls to help get TxDOT to hold a public meeting where citizens can get answers to their concerns about the agency’s plans to demolish the structure with explosives before its replacement is constructed.

Mitzi Reneau, president of the Gateway Park Property Owners Association, said members voted at their annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 23 to ask Marble Falls Mayor George Russell and the city government to intercede after a TxDOT spokesperson said two weeks ago the agency had no plans to meet with the public.

They requested that the representatives of general contractor Archer Western and subcontractor Omega Demolition Corporation also be present at a public forum.

"We’re asking for a meeting so we and concerned citizens can ask questions about what will take place in the bridge demolition,” Reneau said.

Part of the letter reads: "Speakers at the POA meeting observed that although its members comprise the largest residential community near the bridge, (TxDOT) has not contacted homeowners or business people in Gateway Park, offered any information regarding the proposed implosion to them or expressed any intention of holding a public meeting prior to the demolition.”

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.