Jackson asks for MoDOT to spread interchange cost

The city of Jackson has asked the Missouri Department of Transportation to spread the burden of the East Main Street Interstate 55 interchange project among the other local government entities.

When MoDOT secured the project for 2006, it did so on the condition that Jackson, in addition to acquiring right of way, come up with half of the $5.6 million to build the project.

Jackson city officials say they made the agreement on the assumption that three other entities -- Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County and Southeast Missouri State University, which owns most of the property around the interstate -- would be involved financially.

But when Jackson agreed to the "participation agreement" condition, it lost quite a bit of leverage.

After several months of rocky negotiations, an informal offer was drawn up last month by Southeast to form a transportation development district, a financing mechanism that would require higher taxes within the district to pay for the project.

Jackson officials saw the draft as a step in the right direction -- Jackson had been trying to organize the transportation district with little success, and the August draft was the first time Southeast had shown serious official interest in the concept.

But the draft called for Jackson to pay for half of the local share and the other entities to pay for one-sixth each.

In a letter dated Sept. 13, obtained in the open meeting records of the county commission, Jackson city attorney Tom Ludwig asked MoDOT to incorporate the other three entities into the participation agreement. Ludwig stated that would "solve the problem of Jackson being out on a limb and would cut back the flexibility of the other participants."

Ludwig, surprised that the information was made public, wouldn't comment on the request because there are still many unknowns.

However, other key players in the interchange project downplayed the move, saying it's a negotiation ploy, and the project is still moving forward.

"Since I received that letter, Mayor Paul Sander and I have spoken at length," Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson said. "There are a lot of different entities with a lot of different interpretations on things. But after talking with Mayor Sander, I think we're moving in a positive direction and we'll be able to get the details ironed out."

Don Dickerson, board of regents president of Southeast, said he didn't think Jackson's request to MoDOT was necessary, but he didn't condemn the decision either. Southeast plans to develop a life sciences business complex on its property by the interstate.

"Overall, the important thing we get worked out is a mechanism to assure the funding," Dickerson said. "We all think highly of the project."

Dr. Ken Dobbins, Southeast president, echoed those sentiments.

"We're working through several issues trying to get intergovernmental agreement together," he said. " We're going to meet with MoDOT to determine the best way to do that. Whatever it takes to get it done is what we're willing to do. This is really an important project for the region when you think of the economic development, the life sciences and the east-west route that will open up a lot of opportunities for development in Jackson and Cape."

According to the Sept. 13 letter, the Jackson Board of Aldermen has not committed to the draft proposal.

All of the maneuvering could be for naught if the federal government kicks in the funds for the local match. Dickerson said U.S. Sens. Jim Talent and Kit Bond, as well as U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, are fond of the improvement, but it's not yet known how much funding will be awarded to the interchange.

Regardless of the funding source, negotiations are several months behind schedule, and there are still vital pieces of information missing such as exact design plans, which have delayed right of way acquisitions. The exact cost of the project is also uncertain.

Rumors have circulated that the cost has reached $8 million. However, MoDOT project manager Eric Krapf said he hasn't seen any figures close to that.

MoDOT refigures project costs at various stages throughout the design. Krapf said he thinks the project will wind up near $6 million.

Officials from each of the government agencies will attend a meeting Friday with MoDOT to go over some of the information.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635