State funds of $2.5M arrive for Seneca

State funds amounting to $2.5 million arrived in Seneca for the city’s project to re-develop the former Harper’s and Kimbrell’s properties in the downtown.  Scott Moulder, city administrator, made the announcement at the start of today’s meeting of the Seneca Improvements Corporation.  In that announcement, Moulder also said a French Quarter look is envisioned for the two large properties that made for anchor downtown stores during the last century.  A meeting has already been held with an official of an engineering/design firm, and Moulder said costs estimates are to be prepared.  The former Harper’s 5&10 property has already been demolished. The crystal ball for the future is a green space/recreation area, along with new commercial interests.  One thing it won’t be, as Moulder sees it, will be splash pad.  He calls a splash pad there unlikely.  A splash pad has been a darling hope of Ronnie O’Kelley, the mayor pro-tem.  O’Kelley believes a place for kids to cool off during hot summer days would be ideal, especially considering that Seneca’s city swimming pool closed several years ago.  The wrecking ball on the former Kimbrell’s building will come later.  The Kimbrell’s demolition cost estimate is $200 thousand.