The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Art in the Park will return to Stark Park this year.

The Orange City Council approved an agreement with the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation for the use of Stark Park for the 13th annual Art in the Park to be held on Saturday, March 21. The event was held last year at the Riverfront Pavilion.

Jay Trahan, Orange Economic Development Corporation director, said the event coincides the same day the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the BASS Master fishing tournament.

Art in the Park will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live entertainment, children's activities and over 110 booths reserved.

There will also be a 5K run that day and Tracy Byrd will headline a concert at the Riverfront Pavilion that night.

Also approved was another agreement with the Stark Foundation for the use of the city's boat ramp for the Shangri La Community Trash Off on February 28.

The event was previously held at Lion's Den Park, but due to growth of the event the organization considered using the boat ramp.

The boat ramp will still be open for boat launches.

If there is bad weather, the event will be held the following week.

The Orange County Mosquito Control District was authorized to fly low altitudes to apply insecticides for mosquito abatement within the city.

Councilwoman Essie Bellfield wanted to know ahead of time when the planes would be spraying for residents who have breathing difficulties.

The bid to demolish substandard residences was awarded to Lark Group, Inc. for $31,900.

The list is as follows:

802 Texas St. $3,000

1005 Texas St. $4,000

407 Rhode Island St. $4,200

801 Sholars Ave. $3,200

1009 Cooper Ave. $4,500

2037 Simpson St. $3,500

1205 Link Ave. $3,500

3318 20th St. $6,000

The council waived all building permit fees associated with the bond construction at Little Cypress-Mauriceville Junior High and Little Cypress-Mauriceville Elementary/Intermediate Schools. The bond passed by voters was for $56 million.

City Manager Shawn Oubre reported the LCJH building permit fees are $46,234 and $2,000 for LCE/LCI.

The school district requested the reduction of fees.

Oubre told the council they have good relations with LC-M CISD and the savings will be put back into the project.

“It will benefit the entire community,” he said.

Dr. Pauline Hargrove, district superintendent, reminded the council before they voted how important the school district is to the community and how they needed each other.

“We have the same goal. It will definitely be a help to us,” she said.

Councilman Tommy Ferguson said LC-M CISD represents the heart of the city and the new facilities will get families to move to Orange.

The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone Bunn Addition at 1211 10th St., 1311 10th St., 1401 10th St., 1405 10th St. and 1106 Hart Ave. from medium density residential to special commercial zoning.

The location is where the former Old North Orange Church was located.

The owner of the property wishes to place a restaurant there.