The Odessa City Council will meet today to approve new plans for the downtown hotel and conference center expected to break ground this spring.
The private investors in the hotel and conference center, Sondra and Toby Eoff of Eofficial Enterprises, recently tweaked plans for the pool and plaza area of the Marriott brand hotel after consulting with executives of the company.
City officials’ plans call for the $77 million hotel and conference center to anchor a broader downtown redevelopment scheduled to break ground this spring. The city is investing about $30.8 million in the 78,000-square-foot convention center, an open air plaza, a 300-car parking garage and a remodeled Ector Theatre.
The City Council will also vote today on whether to approve about $861,940 worth of utility work to make way for the project.
The City Council will also vote today on whether to approve paying about $145,220 for a parking lot in the area of the hotel and conference center, at 501 N. Texas Ave., owned by Landgraf, Crutcher and Associates.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL:
- Consider whether to approve about $300,000 worth of potential grant funding for body cameras and robotics equipment for the Odessa Police Department.
- Consider approving an ordinance defining speed limits in school zones as 20 miles per hour based on signs and flashing lights.
- Discuss in a pre-meeting briefing session City Hall renovations and the Open Meetings Act.
- Consider the purchase of about $219,472 worth of hydraulic rescue tools for the already approved new fire trucks expected to be delivered this spring.
- Consider abandoning a portion of North Jackson Avenue right-of-way to make way for the downtown hotel and conference center.
- Consider approving the purchase of replacement tractors for the Street Department and an industrial crane for the Utilities Department.
- Consider approving the purchase of three vehicle replacements for the Community Development department for new officers hired at a cost of about $87,580.
- Consider approving a resolution approving the United States Army Special Operations Command’s planned unconventional warfare exercises in the area from March 31 through April 24.
- Consider renewal of contract for the food and beverage operations at Ratliff Ranch Golf Links.
- Consider approving about $657,887 worth of demolition and asbestos abatement on blighted properties, including 500 N. Grant Ave. and 300 E.
- Sixth Street.
- Consider second and final approval of a zoning request by the Odessa Housing Finance Corp. to rezone from multifamily to residential nearly two acres in the area of East 87th Street and the new Hunter Miller Way.
- Consider a lease agreement for Norma’s Cafe, 111 E.
- Fifth St., that would allow the business to rent the property for the same monthly rate from the city as it had from the previous owner.
- Meet in closed session to “Deliberate the duties of City Manager Richard Morton.”
