Work is continuing on the Eagle Point development and planned small hospital with medical center. The Orange City Council Tuesday approved a contract change to an engineering firm to design the storm water system with detention area.
Eagle Point is 250 acres of commercial property that the City of Orange Economic Development Corporation and City Council have helped develop with the Houseman Companies. The area is at the southeast corner of Interstate 10 and Highway 62.
Gisela Houseman is donating 20 acres of the land for the development project. Local physician Dr. Marty Rutledge last year said the medical complex will be named in her honor.
The complex will include an emergency room, facilities for medical specialists, and a “microhospital” with six to 20 in-patient beds. Orange County currently does not have a hospital.
The EDC board of directors and the city council agreed to paythe engineering firm of Fittz & Shipman an additional $36,2000 for a total of $159,500 for the design of roadway drainage and aou storm water detention area. The city will be working with the Orange County Drainage District on drainage plans for the development.
In other business, the EDC board and council approved an agreement for the Orange Police Department to build a metal garage on land owned by the EDC that is next to the department’s parking lot. The building will store high-water rescue vehicles that are now parked uncovered.
The council agreed to apply for special Community Development Block Grants for Covid assistance. The grants are through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The city is requesting $204,975 in grants. a total of $163,980 will go to three non-profit community service groups dealing with the pandemic. Orange Community Action Association, which operates Meals on Wheels and provides hot lunches to senior citizens at the Essie Bellfield Community Center is to get supplies including cleaning items, masks, gloves, preventative shields, sanitizer, thermometers and air filtration systems.
Orange Christian Services is budgeted $84,000 to help low-income people with rent and mortgages. Also, the group, if the grant is approved, will get air filtration help.
James Hope Center is budgeted $23,656 to help low to moderate income families and the homeless who have covid with nutrition, water for hydration, and clean clothes.
The city is budgeting $40,995 for administration of the grants.
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