North Heights residents call for infrastructure change

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — North Heights residents advocated for serious change to neighborhood infrastructure at a recent community meeting last Thursday evening.

“We talked first about the water pressure and how the pressure is not good,” said Melodie Graves, Community Activist and a leader of the North Heights Advisory Association. “People also talked about people’s houses burning down and then watching people houses burn down because we did not have sufficient fire hydrants. But the thing is, that the since we don’t have the pressure, we still even if we get them updated, they’re still not effective in helping to prevent the fires.”

These are just some of several changes that Graves and other North Heights residents told MyHighPlains.com are needed for improved safety in the neighborhood.

Graves told us that while she feels city leaders are listening with good intentions, it’s time to turn listening ears into working hands.

“Actually putting plans into process that won’t take ten years to come to fruition, but we need something now, and I know that they have the ability to do that. They have different funding mechanisms, different grants that could be applied for,” she said.

Other residents said it’s time to put in work now for better results down the road.

“We’ve waited long enough,” said former North Heights resident Tamara Smith. “We need to get these projects going.”

City leaders told MyHighPlains.com that work is already in progress.

“Ongoing evaluation of the infrastructure,” said Floyd Hartman, Interim City Manager for the City of Amarillo. “The mayor requested that we include $1 million for water main replacement in this year’s budget, and we’ll continue looking at it as we can make the plans work.”

Hartman said the water is currently safe for residents.

“We constantly look for that and monitor that water quality is good, water pressure is good, and sewer operation is good.”

Residents say while that sounds good, they want to see more.

“We need to see some hard work and dedication to our community because we pay taxes just like everybody else does,” Graves said

Graves and Smith both said continued input to city leaders is the most effective way to drive change.

“If the city doesn’t hear us speak up, how will they know? come out and support your community,” said Smith.

“Continue to go to the council meetings that are held you can’t make it to the council meetings and write letters, write emails to them,” Graves encouraged.

For the latest Amarillo news and regional updates, check with MyHighPlains.com and tune in to KAMR Local 4 News at 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 p.m. and Fox 14 News at 9:00 p.m. CST.