HUD to announce funding for lead remediation in Gallup homes
blood lead levels in children in the U.S. has been made, but much work still needs to be
done to eradicate lead in pre1978 homes, including those in public housing. HUD has been
at the forefront of this work by providing grants to cities, counties and educational
institutions to test, remediate and prevent lead and other home health hazards and to research effective treatment protocols. The meeting was attended by HUD Albuquerque Field Office Director Lawrence Reyes and Gallup Housing Authority Executive Director Richard Kontz, Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney and Gallup City Councilors Linda Garcia and Allan Landavazo, who is a Housing Authority Resident B oa rd Member, Hou si n g Authority Board Chair Alfred Abeita, Sr., and public housing residents.
The presentation stated the new regional senior center would measure under 27,000 for the buildings being close to square feet. Gallegos said one another. the cost is slated to be $305 Per the presentation, the per square foot and include a City of Gallup commissioned commercial kitchen, athletic the study for the new senior flooring, design with safety center because the existing emphasis, acoustical treatGallup Senior Center, 607 N. ment, and glare control. Fourth St., is unable to adeThe total estimated cost of quately serve the expanding the project is just over $11.3 needs and growing population million. of Gallup seniors. Dist. 4 Councilor F ra n Some of the focus areas Palochak asked if it would be included in the layout pre- cost-efficient to implement sented by Gallegos, include the existing gym space into an expanded kitchen area to the proposed design. assist in reducing the curGallegos said that suggesrent four shifts of meals now tion is in the planning docubeing served; the adjacent site ment, and the conversations which is currently inadequate around the existing recrefor loading, unloading, and ational center space could parking; and the fleet vehicles continue. which are exposed to the pub“There is a ver y strong lic and sometimes vandalized. argument for the basketball
courts because of the senior olympic team,” Gallegos said. “They do drills there.” Palochak also asked about the parking spaces that would be built for the new buildings, adding there has to be an adequate number of handicap spots. Mayor Jackie McKinney said the parking lot factors will depend on the buildings’ capacity, which could change over time. “The capacity would dictate the size of the parking lots a nd what spaces a re needed,” he said. During the presentation for t he new recreat ion a l center design, Jose Zelaya, senior architect for HuittZolars, Inc., said the designs were made based on the idea that visitors expect different things from a rec center than
they did a decade ago. “The models in cities like Albuquerque are what people expect,” Zelaya said. “People expect common spaces or rooms, and a lot of space for activity rooms.” The design presented by Zelaya shows the new recreational center being partially two stories tall, with the f irst f loor being used for a large gymnasium and v a r iou s wo rkou t r o o m s , and designated areas where children can have their own activities. The second story of the design will allow for quieter activities to be held. Zelaya said the design of the building would make visitors feel more engaged with the activities they participate in. The projected size of the new recreational center is
just over 54,000 square feet. The cost per square foot is $300, resulting in a total final project cost of over $24 million with equipment and other services. After the presentation concluded, Palochak said the new building designs were beautiful, but she had a pressing concern. “We wou ld b e k no cking down the Larr y Brian Mitchell Recreational Center for these buildings,” she said. “We should continue with his name. We ca n’t forget he brought his life into our town.” Dist. 1 Councilor Linda Garcia echoed the comments of ret a i n i ng L a r r y Br ia n Mitchell’s name for the new center, as well. T he t wo st ud ie s were approved with a 5-0-0 vote.
Staff Reports
O
fficials from Housing and Urban Development a n nou nced f u nding will be made available to the City of Gallup to help in testing and remediating lead from area housing units. The announcement at the Gallup Housing Authority was made Aug. 29. Lead exposure in older homes poses a significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from reaching their fullest potential. Progress in reducing
Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney
RECREATIONAL | FROM PAGE 6
District 1 City Councilor Linda Garcia
District 2 City Councilor Allan Landavazo
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