Southside residents urge city to build community center instead of pavilion

Jean Allen, a Southside resident, told the council she and other neighbors would prefer a community building rather than a pavilion at the corner of Ross and Davy Crockett across from Gloria Williams Park, saying a year‑round indoor space would better support meetings and small gatherings. "A community building such as the building at Harry Myers to me would be more conducive to our needs for the Southside neighborhood," Allen said during the open forum.

Georgia Brown, another resident who spoke immediately after Allen, backed that request and recalled community interest in a center. Brown said a pavilion would be too hot in summer and too cold in winter and suggested a facility similar in size and use to Myers Park's community building. Both speakers requested the council consider the community‑building option as staff develops park plans.