New Madrid levee project OK'd by feds

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- President Bush's signature on the Energy and Water Appropriations Act brings good news for New Madrid residents.

Among the programs funded is a $4.1 million project to improve the New Madrid riverfront and levee.

Leading the support for the project was U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. Emerson first visited with city officials in April about their idea to create a park and improve maintenance of the town's levee.

Lloyd Smith, Emerson's chief of staff, said the project appealed to the representative for several reasons.

"Primarily it appeared to JoAnn and to all the folks around that the New Madrid riverfront needed improvement," Smith said. "What this will do is make the levee easier to maintain and safer. The area will be more aesthetically pleasing and people will be able to view the river without impeding traffic."

City officials had explained to Emerson that the large rocks which currently keep the levee from erosion by the Mississippi River had made upkeep difficult. They suggested filling in along the rocks with dirt and planting grass, thus making it easier to mow.

The initial proposal also includes the purchase of the vacant lot on Main Street across from the New Madrid Historical Museum and next to the levee. Here, a parking lot and restrooms are planned along with a handicap access to the levee.

Work along the levee would include the construction of a lighted walking path with benches for seating and improved parking. There will be tables for public use and amphitheater seating in the Riverfront Park.

Improvements are planned for the boat ramp as well as the ramp access and parking area.

New Madrid City Manager Furg Hunter said city officials would like to see the project completed within the next year to 15 months.

Smith praised the city for its efforts in developing and promoting the proposal.

"The city did an outstanding job in explaining the problems, how they came about and the stop gap measures being used to maintain the levee," he said.