LCRA and City of Hallettsville representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Hallettsville Garden Club to make the entry of the 1930s cottage in City Park ADA-compliant. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Marsha Nolte, garden club member; JoAnn Shimek, Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce executive director; Melba Hynes, garden club president; Jane Yamarick, garden club member; Diane Appelt, garden club member; Larry Klitsch, garden club member; Stephen Hunter, City of Hallettsville mayor; Bea Wyatt, garden club member; and Sharon Harrigan, garden club member.
A popular Hallettsville event venue will become more accessible to all visitors, thanks to a $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Hallettsville.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with a matching contribution, will allow the Hallettsville Garden Club to build an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entry for the historic 1930s cottage in City Park.
The garden club serves as custodian of the cottage, which is a frequent venue for showers, reunions, meetings and workshops. With a low rental rate – only $80 for four hours – it’s used year-round by many people in the community.
“The cottage is rented almost every weekend and sometimes it’s rented twice in one day,” said Melba Hynes, Hallettsville Garden Club president. “There is no other public venue that is so family friendly, and the very low rental rate makes it possible for everyone to use.”
The cottage is located in a city park with a playground, tennis courts, covered pavilions and walking trails.
“Because it is unique in location and is affordable for all, the garden club would like to ensure that it is physically accessible to all,” Hynes said.
The club will make the cottage entrance ADA-compliant by building wider sidewalks, replacing the existing wood ramp with one that has the correct slope, adding a new entry door, resurfacing the entry porch to comply with all codes, replacing damaged wood columns and updating exterior lighting for added safety. The City of Hallettsville will provide demolition and tree removal.
“We’re very grateful for the grant,” Hynes said. “It’s a beautiful location surrounded by trees. People like to bring their families as children can play outside in the closed-in yard. It’s an ideal place.”
The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Hallettsville is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31, 2019. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
