MCGREGOR, TX — A strange sight in the Historic District in downtown McGregor is catching attention.
Home to just over five thousand people, McGregor's downtown has quite a few vacant buildings.
"It doesn't take a genius to go up and down these streets and look at all these vacant buildings and say we need to find a use for these buildings," said Joe Etheredge, long time McGregor resident and property owner.
Etheredge bought a 3,600 square foot building with the intention of opening a real estate office and school with a small efficiency apartment, under 500 square feet, in the rear.
"By building an apartment there and offsetting the rent I could take the chance on a down COVID economy to open a business," said Etheredge.
But after turning in his plans and a $400 permit to the city, it was denied.
He erected a display in the front window of his building of a skeleton at a desk with a sign that reads "Waiting on the mayor and members of the council to actually articulate an objection to my permit request".
"Every time I would ask they would say I just don't want it," said Etheredge.
"We unanimously voted 6 to 0 to not permit the use of the building," said McGregor's Mayor, Jimmy Hering.
"Years ago the planning and zoning commission put together a zoning document and that document did not permit first-floor residences in retail areas," said Mayor Hering.
"If you go over to the city offices and ask the economic development officer to show you the codebook of what is and is not allowed from the standpoint of a resident, you can have an efficiency apartment under 500 square feet by special use permit," said Etheredge.
Etheredge explained he finds it unfortunate of the denial as his business had the potential to bring not only jobs but further commerce McGregor's downtown.
"I mean it's his first amendment right to do and say whatever he wants to but I find it a little counter-intuitive for him to talk about wanting to promote McGregor and the things he wants to bring in but he turns around and puts a skeleton right there for everyone to see on main street," said Mayor Hering.
"City council members you need to grow a spine, and start using your own opinion and asking your own questions instead of blindly following the mayor," said Etheredge.
The building is once again up for sale, yet another unoccupied vacant building on main street.
