VOTE CONTINUES CORRIDOR AGREEMENT

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen voted Monday to continue the city's participation in the I-55/Jackson/Cape Girardeau Corridor Projects Agreement, a failed attempt to join with the City of Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County and a developer to accelerate improvements at Center Junction.

Mayor Paul Sander said Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Cape Girardeau County want to retain the legal work that was done so it can be transferred to development of the East Main Street I-55 interchange the three governmental entities want the Missouri Department of Transportation to build. That project has not been scheduled by MoDOT.

Last week, the Missouri State Highways and Transportation Commission dissolved the corporation the two cities and Cape Girardeau County had formed with developer Jim Drury.

In 1999, MoDOT refused to accept the agreement with Drury because it called for an outright swap of Drury's right of way in exchange for the state's excess right of way. The state insists that landowners must pay market value for excess right of way.

City Administrator Steve Wilson said the city is "moving in hopes there will be a willing developer to participate."

Sander said Cape Girardeau and the county commission will consider executing letters of intent to continue participation in the corridor projects agreement.

"If it turns out not to our advantage we don't exercise it," he said.

Jackson Board of Aldermen actions 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 21

City Hall

Action Items

Power and Light Committee

• Authorized the mayor to execute a depository agreement with Firstar Bank.
• Approved the voluntary annexation of property owned by K-Bar-K, L.L.C.

Street Committee

• Authorized the closure of the 400 block of South High Street on Monday between 8:30 and 10 a.m. for the American Legion Memorial Day Service.
• Authorized the mayor to execute a letter of intent relative to the continued participation in the I-55 Jackson/Cape Girardeau Corridor Projects Agreement.
• Amended Section 55-4 of the City Code relative to the display or sale of goods or wares along sidewalks.
• Authorized a contractual agreement with Koehler Engineering & Land Surveying Inc. of Cape Girardeau relative to the design of intersection improvements at the Farmington/West Independence intersection.
• Authorized closure of the 300 and 400 blocks of Elwanda Drive between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. June 2 for a neighborhood block party.

Executive Session

• Held executive session to discuss litigation.