With Number Fest and the International Street Fair falling on April 16, the city of Athens prepares for its emergency services to be stretched thin.
As Number Fest and the annual International Street Fair both fall on April 16 this year, some Athens citizens are concerned the concert may interfere with the city’s annual event.
Athens City Council members expressed concerns at Monday night’s city council meeting regarding the availability of law enforcement at both events, saying the Athens police and fire departments would be stretched too thin.
The fair, which is usually held on Court Street, is a concern, as concert-goers may congest the street, causing inconvenience for fair workers.
Moving the fair to south Court Street near Park Place is an option, but many booths are counting on businesses for electricity and resources during the event, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said.
The event, which is conveniently scheduled before students’ exams, could possibly be rescheduled earlier or later in the month.
“I find it very disappointing that we even have to talk about this,” Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward, said.
Fahl, who spoke earlier with Number Fest planners, said the planners claimed they would make sure the two events would not overlap.
No changes to the date or location of the fair have been made yet.
The Safety Service Committee brought attention to Athens’ aging city pool at Monday night’s meeting.
The pool, which is over 40 years old, has a tear in its liner and multiple other issues, including its pumps and pipes.
Because of the pool’s age, it is difficult to find replacement parts, and the company which originally installed it, refuses to make repairs, as it is a liability for them, Andrew Chiki, assistant director of Arts, Parks and Recreation, said.
Former Athens Mayor Richard Abel serves on the advisory board that provided the recommendation for repairing, or possibly replacing, the city pool.
A portion of the pool which was already experiencing issues was closed off last season to residents.
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Abel, who was given a tour of the facility, noticed specks of cast iron that had chipped off the gutters floating around in the pool.
“I was told that one of the first things the lifeguards do in the morning is take a magnet to remove those flecks,” Abel said. “That doesn’t sound very safe to me.”
Repairs for the pool could cost about $150,000, Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said.
“I hate to throw taxpayer money at something that is limping along and not likely to be there in the future,” Butler said.
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