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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.03-12-1996.Regular 449 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special Public Hearing $@SSIOfI March 12 �Q 96 S 78 40 SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING-MARCH 12, 1996 Council convened in special session on Tuesday, March 12, 1996, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Al Spradling III presiding and Council Members Melvin Gateley, Tom Neumeyer, Jack Rickard and J.J. Williamson present. Richard Eggimann and Melvin Kasten were absent. Mayor Spradling announced that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public hearing regarding sites for the new federal building in the city as proposed by the General Services Administration. He stated the Council would not make any decisions at this meeting; however, discussion of this issue will be placed on the March 18, 1996, City Council agenda. Mayor Spradling then opened the hearing. John Oliver, #8 Terrapin, commended city staff, the City Council and the public for taking the time to hold the hearing and to participate. He emphasized that the most important issue is that the federal building be located in the city; the location in the city does not really matter. He urged the Council to do whatever it can to facilitate and assist in acquiring the land and constructing the building; and then expedite the process by presenting to the GSA the views of the public as to where they would like the building located. Mr. David Knight, 333 N. Main, appeared on behalf of the Downtown Merchants Association. When the GSA said they would locate in the city and outlined the parameters, the Association studied each block and recommended the 400 block of Broadway. They presented this to the GSA at their February 1 public hearing. The property is across from the e�sting building, the site meets the space requirements, and a majority of the owners are willing sellers. Mr. Don Greenwood, 220 Merriwether,proposed the building be located on the area just west of Ciry Hall. It is a blighted area, demolition and acquisition costs would be cheaper, and there is access to two main thoroughfares and the new bridge route. The Indian Park Alliance committee has prepared a pian for improvements in the park which is just east of the properry. The plan has been approved but is awaiting funding. If additional parking is required, the houses on the west site of Frederick Street could be acquired. In addition, the State is presently reviewing the Old St. Francis Hospital as a site for state offices. Mr. Dennis Meyer, 620 Good Hope, appeared on behalf of the Haarig Area Development Association. This group has secured better street lighting in the south part of the city over the past three years and policing efforts have moved this area in a good direction. He listed the following benefits for choosing the Old St. Francis Hospital site for the new federal building: (1) cheaper acquisition, a11 owners willing to sell; (2) accessibility to three main thoroughfares within a two block area with less traffic congestion; (3) because of less traffic congestion, security is enhanced when transporting prisoners; (4) during construction phase, the increased truck traffic from contractors would not affect traffic flow; (5)the social and economic impact would enhance that area of the city; (6)loss of property tax revenue at this site is much less than at the Broadway site; and(7) operations at the old federal building and the proposed new one are completely separate; GSA previously stated that the location next to the e�sting building is not a prioriry. Mr. Ted Coalter, 3241 Chateau, discussed issues from Executive Order 12072 passed August 16, 1968, by President Jimmy Carter. He quoted the following issues from the order: (1) Federal facilities shall enhance cities and encourage redevelopment; (2) the site selection should improve the communities; (3) consideration should be given to central business areas, adjacent areas, and areas recommended by local officials; (4)the site should be compatible with local development; (5)housing around the site should be available for federal employees; (6) adequate public transportation should 450 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special Public Hearing S@SSIOfI March 12 19 96 c-ta�an be available around the site; (7) there should be a healthy and safe working environment for the employees. He stated that the City Council should support only one site, and he requested that since Tom Neumeyer is the represen�ative for this ward, he should make a motion at the March 18 meeting to recommend the Old St. Francis site to the GSA. John Heuer, 1422 Parkmore, explained that a petition drive began at noon on Wednesday, March 6 and ended at noon on Tuesday, March 12. Over 700 signatures were received supporting the Old St. Francis Hospital site(copies of the petitions were distributed to the City Council). A majority of those who signed the petitions are registered voters and residents or business owners in Ward 2. Most support the Old St. Francis Hospital site and not other sites proposed, except for the Downtown Merchants support of the site in the 400 block of Broadway. Mr. Heuer requested the Council support the Old St. Francis Hospital site. Sr. Lucille Zerr, stated she dces pastoral work at St. Mary's Cathedral and was one of the supporters of the petition drive. Over 600 signatures were received at the church over the weekend. This project would help to improve the southern part of the city. Judy Vickery, 211 S. Louisiana, stated she worked at the Old St. Francis Hospital, presently works at St. Francis Medical Center, and also distributed petitions. She stated people were eager to sign the petitions, and most stated that this site is the best site for the new federal building. Ava Feuerhahn, 533 Morgan Oak, stated she is a business owner in the south part of the ciry. She visited all the businesses in the south part of town, and they all signed the petition and supported the Old St. Francis Hospital site. She received signatures from over 100 businesses as well as their employees and patrons. Teri Ford, 1251 S. Ellis, stated she received over 100 signatures on petitions supporting the Old St. Francis Hospital site. All agreed that this project was a good idea and would help to clean up the south part of town. Martin Robinson, 1071 Dorothy, stated he does not have an interest in any business in this area. Broadway is a very congested road and does not feel it can handle additional traffic. The Old St. Francis Hospital area is vacant and the streets in this area, including Good Hope, are wider and can handle the additional traffic. Mayor Spradling called for further appearances. There being none the hearing was closed. Mayor Spradling explained that when the GSA first proposed this idea, they were more interested in excluding areas than including areas, and this is the main reason for this public hearing. T'his issue will be on the March 18 Ciry Council meeting for further discussion. All the information received from this meeting„ including the petitions, will be forwarded to the GSA. Council will convey to the GSA (1) that the city does want the new federal building and (2) which sites were proposed by the public and who supported those sites. The GSA has indicated they are waiting on this informarion before they make a decision. Mr. Gateley commended the citizens of Cape Girazdeau for voicing their opinions on this matter. He stated there was a good representation of all areas of the ciry. There being no further business, the Council adjourned. 451 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special Public Hearin�_ $@SSIOfI March 12 1996 S-iaaan � A. . Spradling III, Mayor �� � �% � r � �Gayl . Conrad, Deputy Ciry Clerk