John J. Pershing VA Medical Center says it will work with the city to find another alternative for construction work access to the Westwood Boulevard campus.
The VA had sought temporary access to Old Orchard Road from the north side of the campus as part of a project to add administrative space and other upgrades.
Poplar Bluff City Council members voted 5-0 against the request Monday. Members Jerrica Fox and Robert Smith were absent.
VA staff presented their case Aug. 21, along with residents of the street who spoke against access.
“We are disappointed the city of Poplar Bluff has twice denied our request for access through Old Orchard Road,” VA representatives said Thursday in a statement. “Without this access, veterans and the community of Poplar Bluff will not reap the benefits of expanded services authorized by the nation’s PACT Act.
“The economic impacts of the services we provide are significant, and the planned expansions would not only demonstrate America’s commitment to fulfilling its promise to veterans, but would provide business for local suppliers, hotels, restaurants, and more.”
The VA looks forward to working with the city to find another alternative, officials said.
Residents of Old Orchard said they were afraid the construction traffic would destroy the quiet neighborhood, as well as cause damage to the street itself.
They said they were also concerned temporary access would turn into permanent access.
Council members also expressed concern the pavement on Old Orchard was already damaged and would become more of a problem with heavy truck traffic.
VA representatives said they would commit to making repairs to the street, as well as other restrictions on the access schedule to reduce the disruption for the neighborhood.
The construction project was anticipated to take 240 days once contracts were awarded.
VA officials said access was needed from Old Orchard because of restrictions on other parts of the campus, including proximity to emergency generators and utilities.
The VA plans to remove existing old buildings and construct space for a new mental health residential rehab treatment program, as well as create additional parking areas.
In other business, the council also:
• Moved to the Sept. 18 voting session a request by George Milner to annex into the city approximately 7 acres of property in the area of 3387 Kanell Blvd. Multiple steps are needed in this process, city manager Matt Winters said.
• Moved to the Sept. 18 voting session a request by Jasmin Dugger and Belinda Perry to vacate an alleyway lying west of 1109 N. 10th St. and east of 1019 Harper St. The Planning And Zoning Commission has recommended against the request, saying the city may need the property in the future for utilities or access to properties which back up on alley. Resident Charles Thomas told the council there are no utilities in the alley and the city does not use it, but the neighboring residents have maintained it by cutting the grass for many years.
• Discussed and approved the temporary suspension of ordinances related to the discharge of firearms or bows within the city limits in the area of Mike’s Resale and the Black River. Farm owner Vince Lampe has requested to be allowed to bow hunt in the area to remove deer, which destroy crops planted there, according to city council documents.
• Discussed and approved a $381,000 amendment to the budget for Municipal Utilities. The utility will purchase a truck at $51,000 after an uninsured driver went through a fence at 2901 Barron Road and struck two parked MU trucks, which were both totaled. The utility will also use $330,000 for the purchase of a boring machine to replace a 2009 model that can no longer be repaired.
• Discussed and approved the application for a grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development for $75,000 to update the city’s comprehensive plan. This plan is outdated and there would be no requirement from the city for matching funds, Winters said.
• In a city manager’s report, Winters said the city expects to put demolition of the old city complex on Second Street out to bid in the next week or so. This is a grant-funded project.