Some worried about site of proposed Poplar Bluff hospital

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Concerns about an old cemetery and a homeowner's property were presented to the Poplar Bluff City Council Monday night during a discussion about annexation of the proposed site for a new Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

"The Shadle Family Cemetery is on the property. There are way too many bodies there. People who founded the town are buried there," Charlie Smith said. "We are trying to contact the families."

Joe Chapman, who is representing the property owner, said the cemetery "has been abandoned for some time."

"We are taking all legal steps to do what is best in the public interest," Chapman said. "We need to know what is important to the families of those buried in the cemetery."

A petition to annex 105 acres on the south side of Kanell Boulevard was moved to the April 4 voting session. Attorney Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff, who represented the landowners at the meeting, presented an aerial map showing 55 acres owned by Donald Bedell, 30 acres owned by Steven Boyers and 20 acres owned by Thomas and Sally Dodd.

The cemetery is located on the Bedell property where Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has announced plans to build a seven-story, 250-bed hospital. The $170 million hospital is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. The hospital plans to purchase 65 acres, according to Greg Carda, chief executive officer.

After the meeting, Mayor Tracy Edington said there are 17 graves in the cemetery, which has not been maintained.

"It is in the middle of the hospital site," Edington said.

Tim Funke, who lives on Woodland Hills Road east of the proposed hospital site, expressed his concerns.

"This will be a major change in our neighborhood," Funke said. "The reason we annexed into the city was to have zoning protection in our neighborhood."

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has filed an application for a certificate of need for the new hospital with the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee in Jefferson City, Mo. A public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 9, at the committee's office.

"A new hospital will be an incredible addition to Poplar Bluff. It will be close to the Bypass 67 interchange," City Manager Doug Bagby said.

He explained the annexation process will involve two meetings of the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission on April 11 and 25 and council meetings on April 4 and 18 and May 2 before action is completed.

Council members approved a resolution concerning the proposed annexation of 70 acres south of Oak Grove Road between Bypass 67 and Shelby Road. A public hearing was scheduled for 6:45 a.m. April 4, in City Hall.

Owners of the properties to be annexed are Shirley Parkin, Andrea Donze, Gary E. Parkin, Amanda Joy Arevalo, Donald R. and Susan F. Parkin, Norma Jean Parkin, Barbara Jean Greer, Darrell Benton, John L. and Francesca Henson III, Martha Henson, John L. Henson, trustee of the John Lazarus Henson Jr. living trust, and Richard and Sylvia Lee Buerge.

The K2 Commercial Group and Medical Properties Trust are attempting to bring another hospital to this site. Talks are continuing, but it is not known when a decision will be made, Ryan Kiser, a K2 partner, said today.

He indicated Hogg Cemetery is located close to Bypass 67, but "it will not be part of the ground to be sold to another user." It will remain in a buffer zone, according to Kiser.

Pertinent address:

Kanell Boulevard, Poplar Bluff, MO