New Types of Houses for Palestine

PALESTINE – Bat houses are going up in Palestine. They will serve as a replacement habitat for bats currently residing in vacant downtown buildings. The first houses went up on the corner of Queen and Oak Streets, behind the Palestine Chamber of Commerce. The city’s Public Works department built the metal pole for the bat houses and the East Texas Chapter of Master Naturalists supplied the bat houses. Jacob Morris, Historic Preservation Officer, said the bats should start populating the houses in the spring, when they migrate north.

The bats, especially the Mexican free-tailed bat common in Palestine and the rest of Texas, eat mosquitoes and other insects. Keeping the bats downtown, but out of vacant buildings, is an important step in the city’s downtown revitalization and historic preservation.

To help developers and building owners move the bats, the Palestine Economic Development Corporation is offering grants up to $25,000. Moving the bats will eliminate a very common bat-related problem, the buildup of bat dung, more commonly known as guano. Greg Laudadio, Assistant Director for the Palestine Economic Development Corporation and Main Street Manager, said the grants were adopted by the Palestine City Council earlier this year.

“Bats are protected by federal law, and for good reason, since they are crucial for agriculture and other reasons,” Morris said. “As downtown owners utilize the incentives, we expect that more will participate. It only makes sound economic sense for a building owner to want to utilize all of the space available in his or her building. Upper floors are great locations for apartments or offices, with interesting views, and good access to downtown activity.” Morris added, more bat houses are being planned for downtown Palestine.