The Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to Durant City Hall, the authorization of an application for Streetscape Phase IV and the approval of a new temporary ice rink on Market Square were among the items discussed at a special meeting of the Durant City Council Monday.

Before discussing these items, the council approved:

— A plat for the new Crisis Control Center

— Placement of street lights in Remington Hills Phase III

— A proclamation for Durant Walk and Roll to School Day, which is set for Oct. 8

The next item was establishing what handicapped-accessible improvements will be made to city hall.

Becca Parr, grants coordinator for the City of Durant, said ADA improvements will include installing elevators and making entrances and exits safer for handicapped individuals. After some discussion, the council approved the improvements.

The council also approved an application to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the Streetscape Phase IV Downtown Enhancement Project.

ODOT will consider enhancement applications from across the state and release successful projects in May or June of 2009. If Durant is successful, construction could begin in early 2010 along Main from First Avenue to the railroad tracks on the east and on the north side of Evergreen from Second to Third.

Also, the streetscape within Phase IV features handicap accessibility and parking and will incorporate new concrete paving with a brick accent band, intersection bumpouts, street lighting, planting at most intersection bump-outs and irrigation. Litter receptacles, ash urns and benches will also be included.

Donna Dow, program manager of Durant Main Street, said heavier-duty concrete will be used from First Avenue to the railroad tracks because of the heavy trucks that travel that road.

According to Dow, ODOT will pay $422,000 for the project and the city, for their portion, will pay 20 percent of that amount — about $125,000.

Dow said the improvements are being noticed and she hopes to continue on to Phase V.

The council also approved the placement of a temporary ice rink on Market Square.

Dow said the ice rink could be placed from Dec. 5 through Feb. 5, 2009. Also, Durant Main Street wants the rink to be placed downtown because it will attract people to the nearby businesses.

The open air 32 x 60-foot ice rink will be placed on the southwest corner of Market Square.

Vice Mayor Ron Cross asked Dow, “Is there any chance the councilmembers can get skating lessons?”

Dow said the organization contracted with an ice rink specialist, Ice Rink Events, and the company will bring the skates and provide maintenance. Durant Main Street will manage the rink and provide volunteers to run it.

Dean Pollock, manager of community affairs with the OG&E Energy Corp., Durant, said the rink, with a 480-volt service, will require a “substantial amount” of electricity.

OG&E is working with Durant Main Street to provide electricity to the ice rink. In the planning stages, he said OG&E was asked to look at three possible areas for the rink, and OG&E could provide service at all three locations.

“This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a long time,” Cross said about the rink.

“[You mean] literally cool,” Dow said, smiling.

Upon considering the costs, Councilmember Bobby Story said, “It looks like this will be a pretty expensive endeavor.” However, he supported the placement, saying the location is safe, especially for children.

According to Dow, a tarp could be placed on top of the rink when it is not in use to deter those who might try to sneak onto the rink after operation hours. Durant police could patrol the area regularly.

She said 75 skaters can fit on the rink at one time.