By DONNA FARLEY
Staff Writer
The purchase of a Barron Road medical complex may not offer a "quick fix" for the city of Poplar Bluff's building needs.
If a contract is signed by officials, it could be the fall or winter of 2018 before the city can begin renovations to prime areas of the nearly 80,000-square-foot structure.
The matter was discussed Monday by the city council during a review of legal documents for the purchase of Northwest Medical Center.
The council voted 5-2 to move the contract to the Dec. 4 action agenda. Mayor Ed DeGaris and council member Barbara Horton were against the measure.
The contract gives seven current tenants six months to vacate the property after the closing. This includes a pharmacy and doctors' offices.
Documents specify a closing date of Dec. 20, but both sides understand this will change, said city manager Mark Massingham.
City financing of $8 million in bonds for the $3.495 million purchase will not be ready until mid to late February, Massingham said.
DeGaris, Horton and council member Robert Smith have previously said they prefer a downtown location for city hall, city court and the police department.
They also have questioned the cost of the project as compared to a new building constructed at the Second Street location previously selected by the council.
Supporters of the project, mayor pro tem Susan McVey and council members Ron Black, Steve Davis and Philip Crocker, have said Northwest offers the best value for the money and a faster transition than new construction.
The only renovation estimates discussed publicly by the council to date are $5.595 million, which would make improvements to only the areas needed for city offices.
Members of the council on both sides of the vote have disagreed with the figure, arguing it could be both higher or lower.
No breakdown of costs has been provided for the original renovation budget, which was discussed in August when the Northwest location was first announced.
No additional information on the cost of renovations is expected before the closing, Massingham said after the meeting.
Environmental and structural inspections will be done before the closing, said city attorney Mark Richardson.
The city has the right to terminate the contract if the inspections reveal a violation or deficiency, and the seller does not remedy the matter in a reasonable amount of time, according to contract documents.
The contract requires a $15,000 deposit.
No cost estimates have been discussed by the council regarding improvements to Barron Road, which some officials have said will be needed to address safety concerns with entrances to the medical center.
Also not included in costs for the project are the demolition of the former city hall location on Second Street, which still holds city court and the city council chambers. Architects have previously estimated it could cost more than $1 million to tear down that building and the condemned parking garage next door.
A petition drive was started following the August meeting to force a citywide vote on the location of city hall. No petitions have been turned in, said city clerk Pam Kearbey.