John J. Pershing VA Medical Center officials would like the city to consider a new entrance for the Westwood Boulevard property, but neighbors in the proposed area said Monday they oppose the idea.
The proposal was brought before the Poplar Bluff City Council during their regular meeting.
Mayor Steve Davis said no action would be taken at this time, but that the council appreciates both the concerns of the VA and the residents.
The two proposals put before council are extensions to Old Orchard Street and Westmoor Road.
“Traffic... would be magnified tremendously,” said Charles Knapp of Old Orchard. “I’m concerned with the sanctity of that neighborhood.”
Council members were presented with a petition signed by 18 residents of Old Orchard and Northwood Drive, opposing the Old Orchard extension. Neighbors said they were concerned with preserving the peace and safety of the neighborhood, which they fear would see increased traffic under the plan.
The VA has two future projects planned to enhance veteran care, said Chandra Miller, interim director. The first would provide mental health and residential rehabilitation and treatment program, but will require the removal of buildings and relocation of approximately 20 staff members for about 18 months. Temporary facilities would be required during this period.
The second project is a new campus-wide communication infrastructure that would require additional training over the next two years, with the need for temporary training space, Miller said.
“Currently the John J. Pershing VAMC is under a frozen footprint, confined to approximately 30 acres,” Miller explained. “Within that 30 acres, we are mandated to maintain all the needed utilities to provide service to the veterans we serve.
“Due to these challenges, we must find ways to accommodate the needed improvements...”
There are buried utilities in one area that present construction problems, and significant hills in another area, she said.
It would benefit the facility to have to have altered access while the temporary facilities are needed, according to the VA. Extended one of the two streets would provide a third access for the campus.
The Westmoor Road extension would require significant construction and more substantial cost, Miller said. It would take about six months to complete and about $60,000 in materials, labor and equipment, the VA believes.
The second option of Old Orchard would take about 30 days and approximately $12,500 in cost, Miller said.
“The proposed access would only be used during normal business hours, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., by VA staff and trainers,” she said. “The area would be locked behind a closed gate during off-hours to control access... There would be no large commercial truck usage.”
All of the residents of Old Orchard have signed a petition against the extension, said resident Denis Kearbey.
“All of the homeowners on Old Orchard have lived here for over 20 years and purchased our homes due to it being a dead-end street and that it was safe for our kids and grandkids,” Kearbey said in a letter to council. “It seems like every few months, someone from the VA is on the hill out here looking at where to put this street in, whether it be Old Orchard or Westmoor Drive.
“It is a constant harassment to everyone that lives in this neighborhood.”
The proposal would impact safety and property values for the property owners, he said.
The city is proud the VA is here, but also thanked the residents for coming forward with their concerns, said Davis.
The council will take the information under advisement and may bring the topic back for a future workshop and voting session.
“We will look at this further,” Davis said.