Jackson awaiting grant for community center construction

The city of Jackson has nearly completed the design phase of its new community center; now officials say all they can do is wait.

Last year, Jackson voters passed a quarter-cent sales tax to help fund construction of the center. The group Southeast Missouri Medical Center also confirmed it would donate more than $3 million to the project, and the city also applied for a $1.8 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.

The grant required the building, which will double as an emergency shelter, to meet certain specifications to withstand an EF5 tornado. According to city administrator Jim Roach, construction cannot officially begin until the "FEMA question is answered."

"There was the idea early on to make the gymnasium area a safe room as well," he said. "We applied for the grant and we still feel confident that we will get that grant, but we're hoping that happens sooner rather than later."

Roach said the architectural firm Incite Design Studio of Kansas City, Mo., was chosen by Southeast Missouri Medical Center to design the building. There was no bidding process for the design contract, he explained, because this portion of the building's creation was funded by the private group and not the city.

While the city waits for grant approval, Roach said officials still have managed to be "very productive" with their time.

"We're making progress where we can while we're waiting," he said. "The architects have taken the concept design for the building back to Kansas City to speak with builders there to put some building estimates to construction costs."

Roach said by the time the building is ready for the construction phase, the city will take over control for the center and a contract will be up for bid. He said the city remains hopeful the community center could be completed in two years.

While the city waits for the green light on construction for one project, it has experienced setbacks in another. Since last summer, the city has worked to renovate its parks but recently experienced a string of vandalism, according to Mayor Barbara Lohr.

The most recent act took place near the American Legion baseball fields, Lohr said. Major improvements, including roof repairs and the installation of new sinks, were done in preparation for a tournament. About a week later, it was discovered the sinks had been ripped from the walls.

"It's mostly kids and teenagers that get into the park, even after hours when it's closed, and they just walk in and wait for the opportunity to do something," she said. "But the policemen have caught the people that did it, I'm happy to say."

Lohr said the acts of vandalism at city parks will not deter the city from moving on with a Master Park Plan, which she hopes will be implemented by fall.

"Members of city staff will devise a plan for the entire parks system, which will aid in budget planning, future construction and additional improvements," she said. "Once the plan is up, they will go to the park board with it and they will give input as to what they think should be included."

Lohr said she knows the city is proud of its parks system and is optimistic about future improvements.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

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Jackson, Mo.