Drainage improvements on tap for Anahuac
Chambers Heath board members and employees, Dr. John Redman (front left), Griselda Munoz, Linda Tinnerman, Annette Abernathy, Blanca Puga, Ann Newton, Donna Boullion, Gil Boullion, are recognized by Chambers County Commissioners Ryan Dagley (back left), Jimmy Gore and Mark Tice (front, third from right). The commissioners named Aug. 3-9 as Heath Center Week.
ANAHUAC— Commissioners met last week to discuss a drainage project in the northern area of Anahuac and a new magazine coming to county residents.
Chambers County Commissioners Court held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 22, discussing drainage, the magazine and recreational improvements.
Commissioners approved work on drainage improvements, primarily in the northern area of Anahuac, at a cost of approximately $9.3 million, which is scheduled to begin in about a month.
The project will be lengthy as construction crews plan to install a gutter drainage system under Work Street and Texas Avenue to help guide water towards the bay. There will also be ditch maintenance on other roadways.
Samantha Humphrey, director of the Department of Economic Development and Grant Management, said she has spoken with contractors about minimizing the impact as much as possible, noting that everyone should be able to access their homes throughout the project.
Humphrey said they are working on safe routes for construction traffic.
The county is gearing up to publish the first edition of the Chambers County Current, a new, free county magazine. Once the first edition is complete, each county resident will receive a copy in the mail.
Humphrey said her department hopes to publish twice a year, with the second issue likely to be released in December. The magazine will have a yearly budget of approximately $130,000.
The magazine will detail county programs, messages from commissioners, tourist attractions, history and more.
The magazine's design will reflect designs from around the county, such as tile patterns from the courthouse.
Commissioners approved an additional $15,000 to be allocated towards the new Whites Park Show Barn, bringing the total project cost to $57,000.
Winnie will be seeing new facilities and upgrades, as commissioners approved a bid for six pickleball courts at just under $360,000 and electrical upgrades at Winnie Park for approximately $21,000.
Commissioners approved to go out for bids for a walking trail, parking lot and drainage ditches at Beach City Park.
"This is the last piece of the puzzle," Commissioner Ryan Dagley said.
Restrooms are under construction, and the pickleball courts and the playground were previously approved.
With the approval of the commissioners, some RVs will be replaced with duplexes at Crystal Lake RV Resort in Cove.