Development News

Farmington development projects underway

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Earth is being moved and construction has begun on Gundaker's development project in Farmington. Developers have not yet announced which stores will anchor the development, but say that they are in negotiations with several companies.

Farmington Crossings, a Koman Properties development on the west side of Highway 67, has not progressed, but Koman officials say the project is still valid. Koman has four years from the beginning of the TIF plan to finish the project. According to Scott Haley of Koman Properties, behind-the-scenes work is still ongoing to acquire the needed land.

New clubhouse under construction

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The St. Francois Country Club broke ground on its new clubhouse recently. The new facility will offer club members a place to finish their round of gold, enjoy dinner, and other activities.

Development after nearly a decade

Walls are going up for the first commercial development in the area of Ste. Genevieve's business/industrial park, "Parc Ste. Genevieve." The building, located on the southwest corner of Highway 32 and Progress Parkway, is being constructed by Lesa and Carl Klein. Dr. Lesa Klein plans to use a portion of the building for her optometry practice. The work is being done by Herzog Construction.

The 4.6-plus acre tract of land was purchased by the Kleins in 2003. Land for the business/industrial park was acquired by the city in 1998, in hopes the investment would attract new businesses, stimulate expansion of existing businesses, create jobs and, ultimately, add to the city's tax base. However, aside from the Kleins' project and construction of the county-owned Ste. Genevieve County Community Center, there has been no "brick and mortar" development.

Trucking company opens new location

Britton Trucking Inc. of Mounds, Ill., has opened in the Pulaski County Development Association Business Park. The company, which employs 10 people, is owned by Brent and Kristi Britton and is planning to expand its work force. The new 4,800-square-foot facility includes a two-bay shop for truck repairs. Britton trucking specializes in long-haul movement of goods. The company had been operating out of the Brittons' home, but growth required a new location.

Renovations and additions planned for Sikeston Depot

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston's historic railroad depot is undergoing a lot of changes this summer, which will give a glimpse to its past.

Thanks to a Missouri Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant, additions and renovations will be made to the interior and exterior of the building.

"We're trying to make everything as much as we can from the turn of the 20th century period," said Director Mike Marsh, adding that the Depot was built in 1916. "We want to make the depot a more enjoyable place for people to come -- make it a special destination."

Obtaining the grant money has been in the works for many years. "There was talk of it when I was on the board two years ago," Marsh said.

Landscaping will be done around the caboose, which volunteer Dan Jones is restoring, and a wrought- iron fence will be constructed.

To match, an ornate sign to boast of the depot's place on the National Register of Historic Places will hang in front of the building.

Two wrought-iron benches will also be placed on the walkway, just like the days when the depot was operational. "It will just give a place for people to sit and congregate," Marsh said. "I guarantee you there will be people sitting there during the Cotton Carnival."

The Historic Midtown Development Group recently submitted a MoDOT Enhancement Grant as well, said Mandy Pratt, executive director.

If the grant is awarded, sidewalks will be renovated, and new benches and trash receptacles will be placed along a "walking tour route," to be showcased in a brochure.

"Being able to have a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere downtown is important to us," Pratt said. "That's what will help us, I think, get more people downtown."

LCRA turning attention to commercial properties

SIKESTON, Mo. -- While continuing to make progress with residential properties, Sikeston's Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority is now cleaning up some of the major blighted commercial property.

The LCRA recently completed the demolition of the old Scott-Huff building and cleanup of the lot, but have not stopped there.

"I think the most visible thing you are going to see is here at 330 East Malone, the old Red Devil Radio," said David Ziegenhorn, LCRA chairman. The buildings, which recently housed a tattoo shop, have been there for as long as most residents can remember.

"We acquired the lease and are doing the demolition," Ziegenhorn said. "We are going to return it to landscaped ground just like everything else between Main and North West Street. Between the MoDOT right-of-way and the railroad land, I just don't think that's redevelopable land."

Also in the works is a major LCRA project on the west side of North West Street.

"We're getting ready to undertake the largest project we'll have and that is demolition and redevelopment of the old Federal Compress property on West North. With that demolition and getting it ready for redevelopment, we can guesstimate right now that is going to be a $300,000 project," Ziegenhorn said. "It's about a 40,000 square foot building -- that is what's left of the old Compress building; then there are all those concrete walls from what has burnt down over the years; and then I'm told that concrete floor in the building is 6-8 inches thick, so there is just truckload after truckload of concrete to get off that property."

Ziegenhorn said there had been a tenant in the building which had slowed the acquisition process.

In addition to that property's 5.5 acres, the city owns another seven acres adjacent to that property, according to Ziegenhorn.

"That gives us a large tract of land with all sorts of possibilities for redevelopment," he said.

Ad agency plans for growth

PERRYVILLE, Mo.-The Wright Group sold its building on the town square in Perryville in preparation for building new offices at the intersection of South Perryville Boulevard and West St. Joseph Street.

The Wright Group is a brand development and advertising agency owned by Johnathan Wright, who said the new location will be ready in about a year.

Developer hopes to open Comfort Suites by spring

The developer of a $2.2 million hotel project near Center Junction in Jackson hopes to be open for business by the spring.

Pete Patel, a Carbondale, Ill.-based hotel developer and operator, said he's waiting for the final approval for his building permit application from Jackson city officials before breaking ground. The application needs just a single additional piece of paperwork from Patel's architect to be complete and win approval, city planning director Janet Sanders said last week.

The 62-room Comfort Suites hotel will be on the east side of Old Orchard Road, just off U.S. 61. Patel said he chose the location near Center Junction because it is convenient to Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Interstate 55. Although the Missouri Department of Transportation is building a new interchange for East Main Street and LaSalle Avenue at mile marker 102, the area isn't developed enough to take a risk on locating the hotel there, Patel said.

Patel, who works in partnership with his brother Manny Patel, formerly owned the Town House Inn in Cape Girardeau. They sold that hotel in November. He also and operates hotels in Paducah, Ky., Pinckneyville, Ill., Vienna, Ill., Carbondale, Ill., and Anna, Ill.

Patel expects that he can be ready to open in the spring, probably by late March or April.

The hotel will provide large units with separate sleeping and working areas. Comfort Suites is part of the Choice Hotels chain, which includes 10 brand name lodging groups, including EconoLodge, SleepInn and Clarion.

Dollar Tree moves to new location

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc., the nation's largest $1 discount variety store, opened its doors at a new location, 1210 S. Main St.

"After 20 years in business, we are still proud to offer Sikeston area consumers an opportunity to find great values every day of the week. We are eager to serve the community by providing a fun and convenient shopping experience at a price that is right for everyone," stated Chelle Davis, spokesperson for Dollar Tree.

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. is the nation's leading $1 discount variety store chain, offering a vast array of products including house ware, seasonal goods, food, toys, party goods, personal accessories, books, candles and more. As of Feb. 3, Dollar Tree operated 3,219 stores in 48 states. During the fourth fiscal quarter, Dollar Tree opened 40 stores and expanded or relocated nine stores. The company also operates a coast-to-coast logistics network of nine distribution centers.

Waterway improvements in Ste. Genevieve County

A recent vote in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee could pave the way for completion of the Port of New Bourbon, and also provide money for flash flood mitigation work along the North and South Gabouri Creeks in Ste. Genevieve. Passage in the committee was urged by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.

House Appropriations Committee has approved almost $1 million for waterway improvement projects in Ste. Genevieve County, including $500,000 for additional work at the New Bourbon Port, and $438,000 for construction enhancements to Ste. Genevieve's levee system.

"I think many have become increasingly aware how important these waterway projects are in both developing and protecting Ste. Genevieve," Carnahan said.

The port appropriation will be used for major improvements at the site, including construction of an outbound conveyor belt, and construction of a slack water harbor and public transfer facility. Port officials say that once the work is complete, the port will be positioned to serve businesses throughout Southeast Missouri.

The flood protection funds Ste. Genevieve would be used to lessen flash flooding along the North and South Gabouri creeks. The appropriation would allow the construction of levees along the creeks and the widening of some sections of the creek channels that pose a flood threat to the community at large.

The flood mitigation projects are under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.