Sunken Garden Park vs. Railway Museum

San Angelo's Development Corporation will entertain supporting $700,000 in planned improvements for the Sculpture Garden at the Sunken Garden Park when the board meets on September 27th.

The Sculpture Garden has been a successful cultural addition to the city for 5 years. The park's visitation has very noticeably increased. Staff finds it to be a perfect use for the space based on its content and location.

For the last few years, we've realized the park needs significant improvements to make it more usable, attractive and fitting for the asset that it is.

The City's Capital Improvement Plan for 2013-2018 estimated Sunken Garden Park would need $275,000 in upgrades for.

Landscape refurbishment of Sunken Garden Park with enhancements to improve access and enjoyment of the new Sculpture Garden. Improvements to include a new irrigation system, new turf in targeted locations, improved accessibility with ramps and stairs, walkways to and around the sculptures and improved lighting.

That grew to $550,000 for the 2017-2022 CIP.  The project description is nearly identical in the city's latest CIP despite the cost doubling.

Landscape refurbishment of sunken garden park with enhancements to improve access and enjoyment of the new sculpture garden. Improvements to include a new irrigation system, improved accessibility with ramps and stairs, walkways to and around the sculptures and improved lighting.

The number is now up to $700,000. Oddly, that's roughly the amount of sales tax revenue that should come available from a combination of recent improvements in sales tax collections and strange budgeting.

The Development Corporation could find significant sums available rather quickly.  It could be used at the Sunken Garden Park or the Santa Fe Depot, home of the Railway Museum, which needs a new air conditioner and parking lot repair.  The City sent Railway Museum Board President David Wood packing but may happily fund Howard Taylor's outdoor sculpture project.