Transcript:
Monday, June 17th news.
Last week, we reported on a Page One story in the Alpine Avalanche, an interview with the owner of the Florsheim Building on Holland Avenue that was destroyed by fire May 26.
Long-time Alpine and Terlingua businessman Bill Ivey said he had no plans on whether to build another building in that space or to do something else.
He has to wait until two reports come in on whether asbestos is in the fire damage and a structural report before he can do anything.
He said when he bought the property 25 years ago, his vision was to create a space that ultimately created five businesses besides his own.
He envisioned what he called a “Mayberry” area for downtown Alpine. He was immediately approached by government entities who wanted office space but he turned them down.
He said this was because of his vision for what he called an area of economic development for the town he grew up in and loved.
He could have made money from the rentals but he wanted visitors as well as locals to have a place to shop that was community oriented and locally owned.
And the block that burned had become the most active retail area in Alpine with five money-making businesses in addition to Ivey’s business as landlord.
He also owned an antique shop that later became Vintage Antiques and Snazzy Things.
Other business owners in the area say it makes no sense to build another building with so many empty buildings already downtown.
There has been talk about a park or maybe an art center with a windowed area where artists could work and the public could watch them do their thing.
Food courts and other visitor services could be located near the art center.
That area is already known as an art complex with the Alley Art just in the back, an area with numeral murals and other art works.
Stay tuned. There is more that we don’t know about what the future will bring than what little we do know.
Alpine Elementary School has scheduled a Meet the Teacher night for Tuesday, August 8.
Parents will be able to meet the children’s teachers and enjoy a hot-dog dinner in the cafeteria from 5 to 7 that evening. Look for a post card in the mail with the invitation from the new teachers but for those who do
not get the post card, staff will be available to show you to your charges’ classrooms.
A small box on the notice says children need to be registered and Registrar Chris Verdell said they should do so before the Meet the Teacher event.
Registration can be done on-line but he said he will post time and date for in-person registration later for those who need help with the process.
For questions on Meet the Teacher, call 837-7730. Verdell can be reached at 837-7710.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has announced that Sul Ross State University has been approved for provisional status in Division Two athletic competition.
The Lobos will compete against L.S.C. schools starting this fall, though the university will not gain full status until the Fall of 2026.
Home competition opens Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Lobos take on West Texas A&M at Jackson Field.
Tickets will be available at the gate and online at srlobos.com.
Grow your curiosity is back at the Alpine Farmers Market from 9 to noon Saturday.
All ages are welcome to come learn about food chains and food webs, including games, reading, crafts and a special visit with a worm farm.
Questions to be answered include what are producers, consumers and decomposers.
For more information, call the library at 837-2621.
This has been your local and area news report for KVLF 98.7 FM, 1240 AM and KALP 92.7 FM
Local news can be found on our website at bigbendradio.com.