Frisch Auf! Houses Could be Demolished by This Summer

It only took five years, but the cleanup from Hurricane Harvey along the Frisch Auf! golf course outside La Grange might finally come to completion this summer.

Fayette County grant specialist Angela Hahn told Commissioners Court on Thursday that the first property buyout is moving ahead. She said buyout offers have been extended to three other property owners around the golf course.

Hahn said she would present a proposal from a demolition contractor at the next Commissioners Court meeting on March 24. Demolition of the flooddamaged homes could begin this summer, she said.

In other business, Commissioners voted unanimously to accept a proposal from Double K Custom Homes LLC to remodel the EMS station in Flatonia. The company proposed a contract price of $46,875. EMS Director Josh Vandever said the County does not need to go out for bids on the project since the amount was under the $50,000 legal threshold.

“It really needs a total makeover,” said Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff. “Structurally, it’s fine.”

Berckenhoff said the building suffers from a few water leaks, which he said would be fixed by installing gutters and an awning. The contractor will replace the flooring and install a new air conditioning duct, he said. In addition, the building will be repainted throughout.

“The building has been there for 30-something years,” Berckenhoff said. “It’ll be money well spent.”

The project will be paid for with federal grant funds from The American Rescue Plan. Vandever said the work will take about two months to complete.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to authorize the County Auditor to advertise requests for proposals to construct a new EMS station in Schulenburg. The new station will be built on property along US 77 just south of Lucy Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant. Schulenburg businesswoman Delores Greive donated the land to the County for a new EMS station.

“I don’t know the price yet,” Vandever said. “The project has gotten more expensive due to the supply chain.

Hahn said the County has earmarked $350,000 of American Rescue Plan funds toward the station construction project. Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom said the County could recoup some of the construction costs by selling the old EMS station, which is located at the corner of College Street and East Avenue in Schulenburg.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, Commissioners voted unanimously to expand the position of the County’s prescription drug assistance coordinator from part time to full time. Commissioners also added tourism responsibilities to the position. The new full-time position will pay $38,000 annually.