Security Cameras Installed in Old Market Square

Issues with troublemakers has caused city officials to install security cameras in Old Market Square.

“We thought we needed them,” Mayor Larry Bagwell said. “As much money as we've got invested over there, we needed protection.”

Cameras have also been installed at the gazebo and fountain.

“The cameras are tied into the police department,” Bagwell said.

City Administrator Fox Simons said young people have been hanging out in Old Market Square.

“There's been some damage to the bathrooms in the amphitheater,” he said. “There's been some issues with skateboarders and things like that. It'll help us address those. It'll allow us to have an eye in the sky, if you will, to address those concerns.”

The city's fountain has been soaped several times, Simons said.

“People think, 'Oh, it's just soap, it's no big deal.' Well, it is a big deal,” he said. “We've got to drain it every single time there's soap in it because of the detergent and chemicals – and it costs.

“While it looks innocent enough, there really is a cost to the city that we've got to try to avoid if we can,” he said.

Last year, business owners and TIF committee members talked about a trash problem in Old Market Square.

“Are we still seeing a problem over there with litter?” Councilman Chris Mann.

Patrick Rivers with Land Planning Associates said yes.

“We've got cigarette butts and all that kind of stuff,” Rivers said. “Some of it is just teenagers. They've got skid marks all over the place, you can see it. Someone was walking in the parking lot and somebody revved their engine and came right by them and kind of scared them. Some of that's just being stupid.”

Officials are frustrated by the litter problem.

“There's plenty of garbage cans all over the place, and people just aren't using them,” Simons said. “That's just frustrating. There's garbage cans, they're emptied regularly and people are just throwing trash on the ground. There's just no excuse for something like that.”

The city has ordered two new bike racks for the downtown area. One will be placed in Old Market Square.

“Do we want someplace where it's more visible?” Bagwell asked.

Simons said the city has about $35,000 in its TIF account, which funds the improvements for the TIF District.

“That pays for the rest of the amphitheater , it pays the debt note, it pays for the bike rack, we put security cameras in Old Market Square,” Simons said. “You won't get any more significant money until January.”

Building Official Tommy Holcombe said that account will fund the installation of three more streetlights in the TIF district, bringing the TIF account balance to $17,000.

Bagwell asked committee members what future projects they would like to tackle.

“We've just about, in my opinion, done all we can do in Old Market Square for now,” Bagwell said.