JACKSON CONTINUES RECORD GROWTH IN 1994

Jackson officials were busy in 1994 taking steps to sustain the city's record growth.

In the past year, a number of infrastructure improvements were planned or completed in an effort to plan and encourage business and residential growth in Jackson.

"Our goal is to continue to grow but to do so in a planned, orderly way," Jackson mayor Paul Sander said in reviewing the past year.

Continuing a three-year pattern, the number of building permits issued in the city was at an all-time high.

Jackson issued 169 single-family housing permits during 1994, up 65 from the previous year's total of 104. Only 68 building permits were issued in 1992, when the growth spurt began, according to city administrator Steve Wilson. He feels the number of new residential lots registered during the past year give an indication of the kind of growth Jackson can expect in the coming year.

"During 1994, we platted 296 residential lots so things are not only happening as far as building permits are concerned, but we also have an idea that we'll see some sustained growth in the year to come," said Wilson.

The city grew through annexation as well. The Grandview subdivision to the south of Jackson was annexed during 1994, adding about 250 new residents. Sander believes the annexation marks the start of a trend in growth to the city's south.

Progress was seen on the industrial front as well. When Cape Girardeau County's largest employer, Lee-Rowan at Jackson, became landlocked and considered moving its entire operation to Tennessee, the city bought an option for 23.1 acres of land adjoining plant property and made it available for future Lee-Rowan expansion.

The manufacturer responded by selling its Tennessee property and relocating all of its manufacturing operations to the Jackson plant. The shift added about 300 employees to the industry's work force. Had the land option not been made available, Jackson would have lost more than 1,000 jobs.

"They made a commitment to us so we made a commitment to them," Sander said of the option purchase. "Lee-Rowan was landlocked but the company continued to experience growth so doing this allowed the industry to expand."

The city has since purchased 2.2 acres of its option to make way for the construction of a parking lot at Lee-Rowan.

The mayor and city administrator cited several other accomplishments in 1994. Among them:

- Contracting operation of the municipal landfill: In early March the city contracted with Allied Waste Industries Inc. for the operation of the city landfill for the next 20 years. Federal regulations would have made it financially impossible for Jackson to continue operating the facility. The lease agreement ensured continued free trash pickup in Jackson

- Improvement of Rotary Lake in City Park: The $90,000 project was partially funded with a $36,000 Missouri Department of Conservation grant and involved the removal of sediment from the lake bed, the construction of a handicapped-accessible dock and the addition of a rock bank to prevent soil erosion.

- Constructing handicapped facilities at the Memorial to Veterans of All Wars in Brookside Park: The $40,000 project included the construction of a paved driveway, parking lot and wheelchair ramp leading to the memorial. A stairway was also constructed at the site.

- Implementing the city's first capital improvement plan: The improvement plan prioritizes capital projects the city hopes to complete within the next five years. Projects may be moved added or removed during an annual review.

- Continuing the increase in the collection of recyclables: Recovery of recyclable material by the city has risen more than 500 percent over the last two years.

Sander and Wilson say additional steps will be taken to encourage growth in 1995.

Preparations are underway for the construction of a new water tower and additional lines to improve water volume in the east part of town. The city is also seeking a state grant to fund construction of a water tower in its industrial park.

Jackson has also begun an upgrade of its electrical lines in all parts of town and this should be completed sometime during the next year.

A major plan on Jackson's agenda is a two-phase project to extend East Main Street to Interstate 55.

"We've been asked by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department to show our intent to commit funds for the extension and what we hope is that the state will include in its 10-year plan funding for an interchange at I-55 and East Main," said Sander, who expects the state to rule on the matter in early May.

The first phase of the East Main Extension will be from Shawnee Street to Oakhill Road. This portion is expected to be completed in three years. The remainder of the East Main extension will be from Oakhill Road to Interstate 55. The completion date for this portion will depend upon the state's ruling on the I-55 interchange.