October 25, 2019
Public questions viability of Shelby Road property
A member of the public questioned city leaders Thursday about how much of a 58-acre tract of land on Shelby Road can be developed. About 20 acres of the proposed location for a new Poplar Bluff police department could be used, although some would require fill dirt to improve an area with a gully, according to responses from Mayor pro tem Steve Davis and city manager Mark Massingham. The information was shared during the first of two public forums, with a second held later by Mayor Robert Smith...
A member of the public questioned city leaders Thursday about how much of a 58-acre tract of land on Shelby Road can be developed.
About 20 acres of the proposed location for a new Poplar Bluff police department could be used, although some would require fill dirt to improve an area with a gully, according to responses from Mayor pro tem Steve Davis and city manager Mark Massingham. The information was shared during the first of two public forums, with a second held later by Mayor Robert Smith.
“Part of that area is in a floodway, we know that,” said Massingham, adding the appraisal on the property takes that into account. “The park department is talking about … using that for a green area. I think the floodway is 23 acres.”
There are a multitude of possibilities, explained Davis, who said he held the forum as a way to address issues that have been raised and provide transparency.
“There’s enough land not only for a police station, but maybe a fire station or a fire department headquarters, a training area,” he told the approximately one dozen people attending the first meeting. “That floodway area … they could use that for training in good weather. It’s close to an 80% discount on this property. That’s a gift.”
The possible location for a new police department was the main topic of conversation at the first meeting, but was addressed only briefly at the second meeting. About 40 people attended the second meeting, an event to meet the mayor that was held at Northside Community Center (see sidebar for full story.)
The city could spend approximately $1 million on the Shelby Road land. Officials have said the owner, First Missouri State Bank, would donate the remainder of the approximately $4.5 million value. The value is based on an appraisal completed about three years ago, said Massingham, who attended both meetings.
Officials have estimated four acres would be needed for their plans. The remainder could be sold to help recoup the purchase cost and possibly provide a profit, they have said.
Consultant Navigate brought estimates of between approximately $16 million to $17 million to the council for construction of either combined or separate facilities for the police department and a city hall/city court.
Massingham told members of the public he believes these estimates are higher than what the actual cost will be.
The city may have about $14 million to spend in total on the projects, Massingham said.
This is based on a maximum payment of $850,000 made over 25 years, he explained.
Police chief Danny Whiteley spoke to residents during the first meeting, saying Shelby Road offered the best location to respond to the most populated areas.
The city needs to make plans for the future, he said. Others suggested if Poplar Bluff continues to grow toward the west, the proposed site would be the most central possible location.
Citizens at the second forum expressed concern for other needs in the city, such as cleaning up derelict properties and improving streets.
While some residents said they understood capital money would be used for the police department, they suggested there might be ways the building and equipment fund could support other efforts.
“It looks bad when we have citizens here that just need trees trimmed … we have syringes on our ground … should you have to pick up syringes out of your front yard … I just don’t understand it,” said Poplar Bluff resident Melody Ducote. “Do you have any way to help us understand it? We just don’t understand the need to spend more money to go into debt. We have other needs here.”
Smith told Ducote during the second meeting that he feels the same way.
“In my opinion, I think we’ve got real estate downtown that we can use,” Smith said, to applause. “That’s just how I feel on that.”
“I can tell you the mayor has stood strong on that issue, very strong,” Massingham said.
Smith cast the sole no ‘vote’ on recent action to move a vote on the Shelby Road property to the Nov. 4 council meeting.
Residents also questioned city leaders during the first meeting about the relationship with consultant Navigate and the status of contracts with architects Dille and Traxel.
City officials declined to answer questions on any possible contracts with Dille and Traxel.
Chance Whitehead, a member of the architecture firm, said the company and its staff members have given a lot to the community and this project.
“I believe we have done everything above and beyond that has ever been asked of us,” Whitehead said during the first meeting, adding that no one from the city or Navigate has ever contacted the firm to contribute to the current research process.
Massingham also said, in response to questions during the first meeting, only approximately $15,000 has been paid to date to Navigate. The city can stop its contract with the firm at any time, he said.
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