Interest in a spot at the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park could help the city secure grant funding for nearly $1 million in needed road and bridge improvements.
Money may be available from a state community development block grant to replace a South 11th Street bridge at Pike Creek and make road improvements in that area, city manager Mark Massingham said Monday at a city council meeting.
Council members are expected to vote Nov. 19 on a grant application for the funds.
A company has expressed interest in a nearby industrial site, which could help the city secure the grant money, according to Massingham. The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is working with the company, he said, but nothing has been confirmed at this time. The name or type of company has not been released.
"We're recommending that we proceed and hopefully some time in the near future we will have a new factory announced and we'll get started on the bridge and the road," Massingham said.
If the property is utilized for a new business, the city would ask for funds to cover the entirety of the work, he said.
Estimates are that it would take $537,000 to make road improvements, including new asphalt.
The bridge could be removed and replaced at a cost of approximately $431,000, according to city documents.
The South 11th Street bridge has been a concern since at least 2014, when the street department said concrete had deteriorated enough for rebar to be seen.
The bridge has a steel plate secured over a portion of the deck, Massingham. Utility crews recently caught someone trying to the steal the plate, which had been removed from the bridge, he said. The plate was returned and secured.
In other business, the council:
* Heard from resident Paul Carnahan about concerns that Aspen Roofing is using a residential home on Parkview Drive to conduct commercial business. Massingham and city attorney Mark Richardson said the city's observations have not indicated any business was being conducted from the home. Council member Ron Black said multiple men were staying at the single-family home and asked if this violated city ordinance. Ordinance does not define a single family, Richardson said.
Mayor Susan McVey said the council can look at its ordinances, but did not have any other information at this time.
* Reviewed and approved an agreement to provide community policing services for the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority. This is a long-time agreement, under which the housing authority provides the equivalent of four officer salaries in return for policing through out the year, Massingham said.
* Discussed during the city manager's report that bulk trash pick up will be held Nov. 13. Tags are $20 and can be purchased through Monday. They allow for the removal of up to four large items, such as appliances and couches.