JACKSON OKs STUDY ON MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING

JACKSON -- The city Monday authorized a contract with a St. Louis architectural firm to continue work on the feasibility study for the Jackson's proposed multipurpose building.

The Board of Aldermen voted to approve spending $20,000 so the committee studying the project can continue its work.

"They feel they've done all they can do without having some funding available," Mayor Paul Sander said of the 66-member committee formed last year.

The $20,000 that has been authorized would be the first money spent on the project. Hastings & Chivetta Architects Inc. is the firm contracted to pursue the study.

Sander cautioned that actual construction of a multipurpose building, if the project is determined to be feasible, is far off in the future. "This is the first step to move forward."

City Administrator Steve Wilson said the study is looking at sites, structures, what would be included in the building and sources of funding.

In other business:

-- New Fire Chief Brad Golden was appointed emergency preparedness coordinator for the city. Alderman David Hitt suggested the city look at ways to combine the city's Emergency Operations Center with the Cape Girardeau County EOC.

-- Mayor Sander drew attention to Park Day, which will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Shelter No. 2 in City Park. Volunteers will clean up, plant and paint and will receive a Park Day T-shirt and lunch.

-- The city authorized pre-payment of its estimated local use tax liability in the amount of $144,671.