''The last thing we wanted was for this to look like a birdbath in the backyard of your grandmother’s house. This is something we can be proud of.'' - Olmos Park City Councilman Sean McNelis, about the fountain planned on McCullough. Photo by Mary Candee

Two Olmos Park City Council members last week gave updates on pet projects – installation of a fountain at the center of the McCullough Avenue roundabout and a proposed railroad quiet zone – yielding contrasting progress reports on each.

During the June 19 council meeting, Councilman Sean McNelis reported the creation of the Olmos Park Beautification Fund to which residents can contribute money to install a planned Spanish-style fountain surrounded by landscaping at the roundabout.

The city’s most visible landmark, the traffic-calming device forces motorists to lope around it to get to their destination. Its effectiveness to calm traffic is widely praised, but the aesthetics of the circle has long been neglected.

Enter McNelis, who has spearheaded efforts to beautify the structure. “This report has been a long time in coming,” he said. “We’ve been working on this project for a year now. We want to beautify this space in a way that is appropriate to Olmos Park, and I’m very pleased to report specifics.”

Among those specifics: fountain dimensions of 12 feet in height with an 18 foot width weighing in at 46,000 pounds; installation of several bollards — strategically placed devices around the fountain featuring interior spotlights illuminating the fountain and downcast, muted lights facing the street to caution approaching motorists; a makeup of travertine, a material just a notch under marble; and an interior composed of glass tiles for easy maintenance and maximum aesthetic appeal.

“The last thing we wanted was for this to look like a birdbath in the backyard of your grandmother’s house,” McNelis said. “This is something we can be proud of.”

Representatives of locally based Materials Marketing, the company charged with design details, were on hand to answer questions. Expected to cost about $100,000 – with half the cost committed by the city – the fountain is scheduled for installation this fall.

On another front, Councilman Jeff Judson reported progress on his plan for a railroad quiet zone to quell train-generated neighborhood noise. He said the cost of improvements to a railroad crossing at Mandalay running into McCullough – required enhancements prior to establishing quiet zones – is now estimated at $40,000 to $60,000 range, not the estimated $400,000 initially thought.

Also, he reported no street closures would be required at any of several railroad crossings eyed for pre-zone improvements. Judson explained the only substantive change in preparing for a quiet zone would be converting a section of Mandalay into a one-way stretch, forcing motorists to access McCullough through the perpendicular Oran Street.

“The thought is to make that last 25 feet of Mandalay one way,” Judson explained, noting there are no homes on the section of roadway. “Motorists would have to drive 50 feet out of their way to drive up to Oran in order to hit McCullough. You’re really not giving up anything, and you’re gaining the tremendous benefits of a quiet zone.”

The potential for street closures had drawn opposition from some members of the Olmos Park Terrace Association – residents living within San Antonio boundaries, despite their namesake linking them to Olmos Park.

But even after announcing closures were “off the table,” Judson was still met with resistance from three Olmos Park Terrace Association members in attendance.

“We don’t want street closures, we don’t want a one-way,” said Estella Tyson. “Not even that little strip there.”

After the meeting, Judson lamented he was unable to fully appease Olmos Park Terrace Association members.

“The McCullough intersection was the main concern both because of possible street closures and cost,” Judson said. “Now that the cost is about a tenth of what thought might be and there is no need for street closures, I’m a little puzzled as to what their objections might be.”

He insisted his plans’ detractors represent a small minority: “I really question how many people they represent. There are a large number of people who don’t participate in Olmos Park Terrace meetings who are in favor of it.”

In other business, Councilman Joe Izbrand proposed relocating the school bus stop in front of City Hall on El Prado Drive during construction of a new municipal complex scheduled to begin this summer to ensure students’ safety. Mayor Ron Tefteller suggested moving the stop temporarily down the street to Belvedere Street, and the measure passed unanimously.