JACKSON ALDERMEN OK HIRING ARCHITECT

JACKSON -- The city of Jackson has moved another step closer to a new city hall-library complex.

On Monday, the Board of Aldermen authorized architect John D. Dudley of Jackson to evaluate the former Jackson Exchange Bank building at 101 Court Street for remodeling into city hall offices and a public library.

The board also approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a $500,000 Community Development block grant for construction of a new water tower and improvements to the water distribution system in the Jackson Industrial Park on Lenco Avenue, off Route PP.

The city purchased the two-story bank building from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in April of this year for $625,000. It was appraised by the FDIC at over $1.1 million. Boatmen's Bank of Jackson is leasing the building until it can construct its new bank facility on West Main.

The architect will examine the building and prepare a set of plans and recommendations for the best utilization of the building by the city. City officials say it will probably be late next year before city offices are moved from their current location to the old bank building.

Mayor Paul Sander said the city decided to seek the $500,000 water-system grant after it was learned the money was available. "The application will be filed later this week. We should know in about 30 days if our grant has been approved," he said. "If the grant is approved by the state, the city's match will range from $100,000 to $125,000."

In addition, the mayor said businesses in the industrial park have certified that the improvements will mean more jobs. "That's the key to the whole thing ... more jobs," said Sander.

Building Inspector Robbie Roberts told the board an order of abatement was served Monday by Jackson police on the owner of a house at 906 Woodland. Property owners have complained to the city and the board about the appearance of the house and the surrounding property.

The order of abatement means the owner must improve or demolish the structure. Roberts said the owner asked for a 30-day extension so the structure can be demolished. He recommended and the board granted the 30-day extension, which ends Sept. 17.

The board also set the 1993 property tax levy at $1.05 per $100 assessed valuation. The new levy is unchanged from the current levy, which includes 65 cents for the General Revenue Fund, 13 cents for the Library Fund, 7 cents for the Cemetery Fund, 13 cents to the Park Fund, and 7 cents to the Band Fund. Total amount of property tax revenues budgeted this year in all the funds is $638,485.

In other business, the board approved partial payment of $19,532 to Fronabarger Concreters for work on the Greensferry Road-Clark Street improvement project. Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen said the street is now open, but another one to two weeks of work remains to be done.

Also approved was final pavement of $21,579 to P&R Developers for the East Jackson sewer extension project.

The board set Sept. 20 as the date to receive bids on several street improvement projects, scheduled to begin this fall in the mid-town Jackson area.