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City accepts Temple Emanuel donation; property to become Emmanuel Park pending environmental review
Summary
Council accepted a donation of the Temple Emanuel property for park use; staff said the building likely must be demolished, an ETCOG environmental review will assess asbestos/lead, and preliminary demolition/cleanup costs were estimated not to exceed $100,000.
The Longview City Council voted to accept a donation of the Temple Emanuel property and to dedicate it as parkland, to be named Emmanuel Park. John Albertson presented the item and said the Parks Board recommended acceptance; a member of the public, Barbara McClellan, described the site's historic importance and urged the city to preserve its legacy.
Albertson told council the city would likely demolish the existing building because the city could not maintain the dated structure. Staff said they are applying to ETCOG (East Texas Council of Governments) for an environmental review to determine levels of asbestos or lead and to better estimate cleanup and demolition costs; a preliminary figure from staff indicated costs would not exceed $100,000.
"We will have to tear down the building," the mayor said while addressing public expectations, and John Albertson confirmed the city will pursue environmental review and then go to bid for demolition and return to council with a demolition contract for approval. Council members noted that once parkland is dedicated it is difficult to repurpose without voter approval, which provides long'term protection of the donated green space.
Council thanked the Temple Emanuel donors and urged private partners to help fund amenities such as pavilions or courts the donors suggested; the motion to accept the donation passed unanimously.
