Clovis, Curry look to 2020 goals, projects

With 2019 behind them, area entities are looking forward to different projects and legislative goals to pursue in 2020.

For the city of Clovis, there are various improvement projects and new services planned across the city for the year. There are several construction projects already in progress or waiting funding.

The Public Works Department has several road and drainage projects underway and more planned for later in the year. The road project on Seventh Street is nearing completion with the next phase on Maple Street to Main Street awaiting capital outlay funds.

The city has a contract with Molzin Corbin for drainage improvements from Seventh Street to 21st Street and a contract with HDR for drainage improvements.

The city will also continue work on the effluent reuse pipeline project, the next phase of which goes from Thornton Street to Bob Spencer Park, which will house a 1 million gallon elevated storage tank.

The Senior Services Department has submitted a design for a new Senior Services Facility in Hillcrest Park, which has several other improvements planned as well. The city has also requested capital outlay funds to replace playground equipment and parking lots in the park.

The Building Safety Department will launch an online building permit application system this year, which will allow applications to be filed from one’s home or office. Walk-in service will still be available.

The Clovis Fire Department will be working to reorganize its Emergency Medical Service Division to have personnel assigned solely to EMS duties. This will provide opportunities for individuals who wish to serve on the EMS team, but not also have to be responsible for firefighting duties.

The city is still pursuing Transport Security Administration service at the Clovis airport. If successful this will be the first time in the airport’s history it will have TSA service and open up new direct travel options for fliers.

The Department of Homeland Security has reviewed a proposed terminal layout and the city is working with Contour Airlines to provide regional jet service.

The south side of the Clovis-Carver Public Library will receive a makeover later this year to change the landscaping into a more water-conservative style.

Clovis Area Transit began using its new online scheduling software Exolane last year and began a campaign this year to teach citizens how to use its web portal and mobile app.

“We’re looking forward to the new year and already have a lot of our construction projects ongoing to improve things for the citizens of Clovis,” said City Manager Justin Howalt.

Completing various construction projects will also be Curry County’s main focus this year according to County Manager Lance Pyle.

First the county hopes to complete the Detention Center renovation project within the next two months. While still scheduled for completion by the end of January, ongoing delays may push completion back to February or even early March.

The county is still in the process of securing the funding for an additional 26 camera emplacements that were not listed in the renovation plans.

The Ranchvale Fire Station is also under construction and is expected to be finished by late May or early June. The station will expand local fire coverage and covers a key area to fight potential grass fires.

Demolition has finished on a property on Main Street between Eighth and Ninth, which will be turned into a parking space to better serve the downtown area when complete. The county will also demolish several recently acquired properties on Mitchell and Second Street to demolish for parking as well.

The Event Center parking lot is going to see some work this year with plans to repair asphalt and restripe the area. The east side of the fairgrounds will also receive handicap parking improvements with the goal to complete the project by the end of the year.

The county is seeking funds for the historic courthouse renovation and to design and construct a building for cooperative extension services at the fairgrounds.

If funding is secured, the county hopes to break ground on the district courthouse by the end of 2020, but its current focus is to finish the detention center project before moving on to other projects.

The county has petitioned Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for funds for the Curry County Courthouse renovation, which will add functioning jury courtrooms, expand security to accommodate the needs of the courts and miscellaneous enhancements. Sheriff’s Office renovations will also be included.

The fairgrounds building would be used to relocate extension services from Main Street and provide office space, cooking demonstration areas with auditorium seating and a commercial kitchen.

Funding has been secured to renovate the roof and heating-air conditioning system at the La Casa Senior Center, which should begin sometime early this year.

The county road department will also be conducting ongoing work on various county roads throughout the year.

“We’re here to serve and look forward to serving the community all throughout 2020,” Pyle said. “If any member of the public has suggestions for projects, they’re more than welcome to give us a call.”

The county will also hold a Community Development Block Grant meeting for citizens to come and pitch community projects to pursue with CDBG funds sometime within the next two weeks.