News

Parts of Osage Street will be temporarily closed beginning Monday (April 14) as part of the study phase for a reconstruction project from 34th Ave. to 58th Ave. The reconstruction study will require various lane closures. A consultant for the City of Amarillo will be obtaining geotechnical data for the future design of the project. The current study phase will temporarily impact traffic. Motorists travelling northbound or southbound will encounter a closed lane. As the study phase progresses, the closed lane will be adjusted. Traffic in this area will be impacted through the end of April – depending on weather conditions. Motorists are advised to take precautions due to the changing lane closure and seek alternative routes.  The city and its consultant would like to thank residents, businesses and motorists for their patience and understanding.  For more information, contact the COA Capital Projects and Development Engineering Department at (806) 378-9334.  Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

Thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of Amarillo (COA) Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW), the Amarillo Police Department and the COA Municipal Court, more than 80 warrants related to animal control were cleared in the span of a week in March. “Community awareness and complying with city ordinances are essential to the health and safety of our neighborhoods,” said AAMW Director Victoria Medley. “Pet owners must be aware of their responsibilities and comply with city ordinances to ensure both public safety and the well- being of animals. “This is our collective goal of the AAMW compliance campaign.” The compliance campaign consisted of 988 active AAMW warrants to 308 defendants. Of these 308 defendants, 206 defendants were identified as residing with the city limits. APD officers served warrants at defendant residences.  APD cleared 45 warrants, and an additional 38 warrants were cleared by the Municipal Court – resulting in the clearance of 83 total warrants in the span of a week. Of these warrants, 74 percent were in the category of Animal At Large (an animal not on a leash outside of the owner’s yard) or related to rabies vaccination (either not vaccinated or the animal did not have a rabies vaccination tag). The remaining 26 percent were in various categories, including Animal Surrender Bite (failure to surrender an animal to AAMW that has bitten a human or another animal) or improper animal tethering. “Education is the primary goal. We want pet owners to be aware of city ordinances pertaining to their animals. These ordinances are for the safety of the public and their pets,” Medley said. Chapter 8-2 of the COA Municipal Code pertains to animal ordinances. For information, go to the COA Municipal Code at : bit.ly/42EUCsG For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

What better way to celebrate National Pet Day than by adopting a pet?  The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is getting in the spirit by waiving all pet adoption fees on Friday (April 11). Pet adoption fees are $35 for dogs and $5 for cats, which covers spaying/neutering, age-appropriate vaccines and a microchip for identification. On Friday, animals may be adopted from AAMW free of charge. Information regarding animals available for adoption at AAMW (including pictures) can be found at: https://amw.amarillo.gov/home-animalmanagement The AAMW shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and is located at 3501 S. Osage St. AAMW can be reached at (806) 378-9032 or by email at animals@amarillo.gov For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

The building that long served as the home of city government in Amarillo has found a new purpose: A temporary shelter for the most vulnerable in Amarillo during times of bad weather. For the second time since March, the City of Amarillo (COA) transformed the former city hall building into an Extreme Weather Shelter Facility. More than 140 people and15 dogs stayed at the shelter from April 4-5, when Amarillo saw a rarity with several inches of early spring snow. “This is really a unique opportunity and a great idea to help the unhoused in Amarillo when the weather is at its worst,” said COA Director of Community Development Jason Riddlespurger. “I am incredibly proud to be part of a city and a team that rises to the occasion with compassion and professionalism to help those in need at a crucial time.” COA officially opened a new city hall in February at 623 S. Johnson, the former home of Amarillo Hardware. This made the former city hall building on Buchanan Street an option for the Community Development staff and their volunteers. “The timing was great,” Riddlespurger said. “There is a three-story building with restroom facilities and the capacity to provide food serving areas and sleeping areas that is currently not being used. We have used the building as a temporary Extreme Weather Shelter Facility twice in the past couple of months and it has worked great.” Transforming the former city hall was a collaborative effort across multiple COA departments and community partners. “This exemplifies the rapid and coordinated response by many to protect our most vulnerable residents,” Riddlespurger said. A brief rundown of the transformation: “Our community is blessed to have this group of people working so hard to help our most vulnerable residents,” Riddlespurger said. “Kudos to the swift and seamless collaboration between Community Development, OEM, Animal Management and Welfare, Facilities, Amarillo City Transit, the Amarillo Police Department and community partners like Transformation Park. It is nice to be able to make a few phone calls to

The City of Amarillo (COA) Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is hosting a tree giveaway on Friday at noon at Rick Klein Sports Complex, 3901 S. Grand St. The event is in celebration of National Arbor Day, typically held the fourth Friday in April. At least 800 trees (Kentucky coffetrees and Scotch pines) will be provided to the public free of charge. PARD selected the Kentucky coffeetree in honor of the tallest Kentucky coffeetree in the state of Texas, located in Will Rogers Park. It stands at 55 feet with a spread of 56 feet. The Scotch pines are a generous donation from Shawn Palmer with K&R Tree Farm. A maximum of two trees per car, along with care instructions, are available on a first-come first-served basis until supplies last. “The City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department greatly appreciates the generosity of Mr. Palmer and K&R Tree Farm and all who are helping to make this free event possible for the Amarillo community,” said PARD Director Michael Kashuba. “The benefits of planting trees are numerous. Trees absorb pollutants and release oxygen, they help prevent erosion and slow rainwater runoff, they provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife, provide shade and increase property value.”