BEATRICE – The City of Beatrice has approved another Americans With Disabilities Act upgrade of a neighborhood playground area….this one at the south edge of the city.  The Beatrice City Council approved the bid of Play-Pro Recreation LLC for playground improvements at Froberry Park…..at Front Street and Mulberry Avenue….next to the city’s south water tower. The bid came in at $167,162.


Elected officials also approved three grant awards from the Beatrice Plus program, fueled by voluntary round-up contributions local utility ratepayers add to their monthly bills. A $10,000 grant was approved for the Beatrice Pickleball Association for viewing area improvements at the Chautauqua Park outdoor courts.
A grant of $3,500 was approved for the Friends of the Beatrice Cemetery Association for new trash receptacles and concrete pads at the Beatrice Cemetery along Scott Street and the Evergreen Home Cemetery along 33rd Street.  A Beatrice Plus grant of $2,000 will go to Carnegie Center, Inc. for renovating and restoring the wood and marble flooring on the main level of the former Carnegie Library Building….currently the home of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce and Gage Area Growth Enterprise.


In other matters Monday night, the council postponed action on an economic development loan from the city to Paddock LLC from LB 840 funds…..and approved a contract payment of over $1.1 million to Pruss Excavation, for the ongoing construction of a new landfill southwest of the city.  An increase of some $24,000 was approved on a Beatrice Municipal Airport taxiway and apron upgrade….to account of improvements that help handle storm water runoff. Three leases for property at the airport were approved….one for leased land and two others for building space.


Mayoral proclamations were issued Monday night marking observances in the City of Beatrice.
One issued by Mayor Bob Morgan is for Arbor Day, on April 25th. Beatrice has been designated a Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for over 35 years. A Tuesday Earth Day event was on the schedule at the new Beatrice Elementary School, where students will help plant 45 trees on the new school grounds.


April 21st to the 25th was also proclaimed as Young Professionals Week. A local chapter of leaders between the ages of 20 and 40 now numbers over 50 members.

Young Professionals Group
Young Professionals Group