Tearing down the old Cove school hit a problem even before the city of Orange could get a demolition contractor. The city is going to have to go to a county auction to purchase part of the land.
The Orange City Council met in closed-door executive session Tuesday about the purchase of the school property. The council in public then voted to buy the school and get the rest at a tax auction to be held in August.
Earlier this year, the council had voted to pay $10,000 for the campus with sprawling, crumbling buildings. But, another owner is listed for part of the campus. The council has budgeted up to $250,000 to buy and demolish the school and clear the land.
The council also worked toward finishing the Riverside Pavilion at the Boat Ramp off Simmons Drive. Restrooms at the pavilion will be built by CXT, Inc., for $256,000. A-1 American Fence got contract for $63,125 for fencing.
A new floating pier is set for construction at the Boat Ramp thanks to the Sabine River Authority. The council approved an interlocal agreement with SRA for the project.
City Manager Mike Kunst said the Port of Orange was originally part of the agreement, but a property search showed the area for the on land access to the floating pier is owned by the city and not the port.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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