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THE BEGINNING…
In 1927, the major thoroughfares for Odessa
were the dirt streets laid out in the
original town site.
In August 1928, all street repair work had
to be stopped because of the city’s
financial condition pending the approval of
a $55,000 street improvement bond, which was
issued in September 1928.
A motor grader was
purchased on May 31, 1928, for $3,105.
Today, it costs about $80,000 to purchase a
motor grader.
By 1929, primary streets in Odessa included
Grant Avenue and Front Street (later renamed
First Street). Neither was completely paved;
Grant was paved where it crossed the
railroad tracks and Front was paved from
Crane Avenue to Hancock. Second Street
remained a dirt street for several more
years.
Traffic signs and house numbers were
approved March 1929.
On August 8, 1932, the city purchased its
first automobile, a used Model A Ford Pickup
for $100 ($25 cash and free water for six
months).
Parking has always been of interest, with
the first parking time limits established on
Grant Avenue, from First Street to Third
Street, for one-hour parking in 1936. On
September 30, 1936, the Odessa City Council
purchased a new pickup to be paid 1/3 down
and the balance in six months. The pickup
cost $779 less trade-in on a 1929 Ford of
$129, which left a net balance of $650.
An ordinance establishing bus routes was
first approved on August 24, 1938. Now a new
transit operation is planned for
implementation in 2003.
The first traffic signals were purchased and
installed on Grant Avenue, Pearl, Fifth and
Eighth Streets.
The first street sweeper was purchased April
1939 for $4,300. Today, a street sweeper
costs $95,000.
The city traded the county some elm trees
for the balance of $340 owed to the county
for a motorcycle purchased by the city.
In May 1944, the city employed a City
Building, Plumbing and Electrical Inspector
to be compensated by the amount charged for
permits for his services.
In June 1945, the city purchased 500 parking
meters. Today, the city operates
approximately 300 meters.
The City Council voted to close the city
garage, effective August 1, 1949.
In December of 1952, the Council voted to
purchase 10 acres of land for a city shop
site.
AND NOW…
The city maintains 374
miles of paved streets.
The city maintains 570 miles of water line.
The city maintains 473 miles of sewer lines.
Recently the city has completed a number of
Capital Improvements Projects including
completion of the extension of Eastridge and
Billy Hext Road in east Odessa to facilitate
traffic flow and development.
The JBS Parkway and 52nd Street extensions
into northeast Odessa were recently
completed.
Traffic Operations Master Plan Improvements,
including the removal of numerous traffic
signals and the changing of one-way streets
to two-way streets in the central part of
the Odessa has been completed.
Master Plan, Phase II, a consultant study
currently underway, will identify needs for
city-wide traffic improvements and address
items such as downtown parking, bike lanes
throughout the city, and thoroughfare
standards.
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