Regardless of the results of the bond, city officials told Community Impact that no further action has been taken for phases 3 and 4 of the Facilities Master Plan, which include City Hall and public safety building renovations, respectively.
After the new council-elect begin their term June 1, city officials said the incoming council will first be briefed on various matters to get up-to-speed before possibly taking up discussions regarding the Facilities Master Plan.
Looking back
Proposition D did not pass by a difference of 165 votes, according to Harris County elections data. Out of the 3,533 votes:
- 1,684 votes, or 47.66% were for for Proposition D
- 1,849 votes, or 52.34%, were against Proposition D
Robin Burks is serving her two-year term on the West U senior services board and said she was in favor of funding a new library and community center. Burks said she spent years with her board members learning how to make the community center a more welcoming space.
She said the current facilities are outdated, and there is minimal space for senior service staff to work.
“It was going to be an opportunity to really address a lot of the shortfalls of the current community building and to be able to make it a much more welcoming space, ADA compliant and easier for people with mobility issues to navigate,” Burks said.
Despite the bond not passing, Burks said she hopes for future collaboration with the City Council-elect to address the need for more modern, accessible community spaces that benefit all age groups.
"We want nice buildings for people that everybody can enjoy, you know, for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren for many years to come," she said.
On the other hand
Steve Damiani has lived in West U for 21 years and previously submitted his nomination for City Council before dropping out of the race, according to city officials. He was part of a group opposed to Proposition D and cited what he said were past investments the city took to upkeep the buildings. He said he didn't see the necessity of City Council choosing to simultaneously demolish all the buildings at once.
"I told council I wouldn't mind a newer library. I just don't want all these buildings done brand new at the same time. I didn't want the library moved a block away in the middle of water tanks and parking lots," Damiani said.
With Proposition D failing, Damiani said he is open to the possibility of updating buildings at a slower pace.
"There was some reason that they wanted to do all of this at once, and it was totally not necessary to do it all at once. If you wanted to replace buildings, you could go one by one," he said.
What else
West U officials canvassed the May 3 general and special election results at a May 14 City Council meeting on the first and final reading.
