By Amy Moore

The News staff writer

PORT NECHES — The pathway to the coolest spot in Port Neches just got easier to walk — literally.

Still under construction, the spray park is nearing completion and the Port Neches City Council approved a change order at the Thursday meeting for a sidewalk extension to ensure the park abides by ADA standards.

The sidewalk extension came at an increase of $3,325 to the already $636,461 contract. The park is scheduled for a grand opening May 31.

The plan includes a 4,500-square-foot spray park with 39 fixtures, or spray areas, for children to play in. In comparison, the splash park in Groves has about 11 fixtures for children.

The council also approved a change order for a contract to re-roof several city buildings, but this order called for a decrease in the amount to be paid.

Because of changes to the roofing systems, the $681,000 contract to replace roofs at the Wright Building, police and fire stations, Service Center and library decreased by $35,000.

Changes were also discussed at the meeting concerning the recently adopted Zoning Ordinance. Building official George Wheeler noted corrections to oversights in the ordinance, as well as proposed revisions to the PODs ordinance.

Residents will be allowed no more than two PODs at a time at their property for 60 days, unless the homeowner has a valid building permit. Non residential properties will be allowed an unlimited number of PODs for 90 days, but only three times a year.

The Port Neches Planning and Zoning Commission will meet to consider the revisions before making a recommendation to the council for a vote.

And residents can look forward to a new type of utility bill coming in the mail next week. The bills are part of a new system the city is using. The system is already used by Groves and Nederland.