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BDC and city staff outline downtown cotton‑gin plan, Hot Wheels museum premiere and operational updates
Summary
The Buret Development Corporation and city staff described downtown revitalization plans (including a $50,000 T‑Mobile grant application for cotton‑gin improvements), announced a Hot Wheels museum premiere Jan. 24, and reported operational items including a modest sales‑tax dip and a planned digital timekeeping rollout.
Travis Haggard, representing the Buret Development Corporation, delivered an extended update on downtown revitalization and other projects.
Haggard addressed recent public comments about the condition of 309 North Avenue C and recounted a prior offer the BDC made to purchase a secured outbuilding. He then presented renderings for the downtown cotton‑gin property and outlined elements of a grant application to T‑Mobile seeking $50,000 to support the project. Planned improvements described included selective artificial turf to maintain parking, a converted storage building to a permanent restroom (to eliminate portables), interior and accent lighting for the cotton‑gin building, two large fans for air circulation, historically styled signage, and a decorative security fence with interpretive plaque.
Haggard also discussed the Wheels of Wonder collection and a proposed $30,000 grant to purchase an enclosed trailer for outreach to area schools and events; he announced a museum premiere on Jan. 24 to show a short documentary and preview design work. "Our inventory currently stands at ... 78,831," Haggard said, adding the team was about 70% complete on cataloging.
Assistant City Manager Lindsay McNab Fox and Assistant Dusty Burkib provided administrative updates. McNab Fox reported November sales‑tax receipts of $238,978, a decrease of about $13,000 from the prior year. Staff are implementing a digital timekeeping system approved in the FY25 budget with a target January go‑live and are continuing sewer flushing and temporary water‑line work pending TCEQ approval. McNab Fox also described a fundraising effort to light the park for the holidays; Parks Director Donna Moore had raised about $5,530 so far toward a $10,000 target.
Officials also discussed vandalism at newly installed park amenities and said they are working with police on appropriate security measures and camera systems.
What happens next: the BDC will seek grant awards and return with requests for letters of support; staff will continue operational projects and present the timekeeping system rollout and employee handbook for board consideration on future agendas.
