JACKSON OKs JUNCTION PROPOSAL

JACKSON -- The city formally committed Tuesday night to an intergovernmental agreement that would accelerate improvements at the Highway 61-Interstate 55 interchange called Center Junction.

The improvements would be financed and carried out by a not-for-profit corporation composed of the Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County and developer Jim Drury.

The improvements are aimed at improving traffic flow and facilitating development at the intersection. The Missouri Department of Transportation has scheduled the project for completion in 2006 or 2007. The formation of the corporation would make it possible to move the work up as much as three years.

The corporation would issue construction bonds and pay the up-front costs of construction. MoDOT would buy back the improvements on completion.

Under the agreement, Drury would develop property he owns on all four sides of the intersection and put up a $1 million letter of credit to service the debt until those properties begin generating tax revenues. Drury originally had offered a $1.5 million letter of credit but asked that the amount be reduced.

MoDOT has estimated the project at $5.5 million. Drury has offered to donate the right of way.

City Administrator Steve Wilson told the Board of Aldermen that either MoDOT or the developer would make up the difference if the project comes in higher than anticipated.

"The bottom line is, for Jackson, the city of Cape Girardeau and the county, any money we put out there we will make back," Wilson said. "The city will get its money back in tax revenues."

Cape Girardeau also approved the agreement Tuesday night and the Cape Girardeau County Commission is scheduled to consider it soon, leaving the next move to MoDOT.

"There's not a lot of wait if MoDOT agrees," Mayor Paul Sander said.

Jackson Board of Aldermen

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Approved amendments to the 1999 Budget.

-- Approved appointment of Rob Goyette to fill an unexpired term on the Library Board ending April 30, 2000.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a power line easement to Union Electric Company, dba AmerenUE Company.

-- Set a public hearing for Monday, April 5, 1999, at 7:30 p.m. to receive comments concerning proposed wastewater system improvements for the City of Jackson.

-- Accepted dedication of access easement form Oscar and Rosamund Welker.

-- Authorized a partial sanitary sewer and utility easement abandonment on Lot 6 of Green Meadows Fourth Subdivision.

-- Accepted dedication of sanitary sewer and utility easement from Jackson Senior Garden Apartments, L.C.

-- Authorized a contractual agreement with Lee Rowan, Inc., relative to participation in the CDBG Program.

-- Authorized a contractual agreement with Missouri Engineering relative to providing engineering services for the development of the Highway 61 Industrial Tract.

Street Committee

-- Approved Pay Request #5 to Penzel Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $18,299.25 under Bridge No. U2150001 (Old Cape Road Bridge) Contract.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a quit claim deed from Sally A. Blyze.

-- Set a public hearing for Monday, March 15, 1999, at 7:30 p.m. to consider the rezoning of all of the property addressed as 2387 W. Jackson Boulevard from R-2 (single family residential) to C-2 (general commercial) as submitted by Stephen C. Wilson.

-- Authorized an intergovernmental agreement relative to the Center Junction Realignment Project.

-- Approved the rezoning of the property addressed as 260 S. Lacey St. from R-2 (single family residential ) to R-4 (one- and two-family residential) as requested by the City of Jackson, and the property addressed as 263 S. Lacey St. from R-2 to R-3 (general residential) as requested by John Lichtenegger.