Sikeston Council approves resolution to support construction of interchange

SIKESTON — The City of Sikeston is doing their part to further the efforts of getting Interstate 57 built, which will run from Chicago all the way through Arkansas.

At Monday’s special city council meeting, the council approved a resolution which supports construction of a new interchange at the intersection of South Ingram and Highway 60/Future I-57 in Sikeston. The resolution will now be presented to the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission in hopes of making this a high priority project from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Currently I-57 stretches from Chicago to Sikeston and supporters believe that completion of the project will spur economic development in the area.

In other action Monday, Council:

• Conducted the first reading of a bill which would allow any grandfathered pawnshops to relocate without any restriction other than they would be restricted to zoning categories that allow pawnshops. The current ordinance prohibits any pawnshop from relocating within 500 feet of another pawnshop.

• City entered into a contract with Geograph Industries for manufacturing and installation of wayfinding and monument signs for Sikeston, utilizing funds from the budget of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. All wayfinding and highway welcome signs have been installed and paid for, leaving the monument signs waiting for installation and payment. After much discussion, Council opted to put the project on hold pending decisions on locations of the monuments and how many are needed. The current contract proposed three monuments at a cost of $39,900.

• Authorized the purchase of an 11-foot wide area mower from Turfwerks of Bridgeton, Mo. for $58,902.

• Authorized staff to submit an application to MoDOT for project and funding approval of up to 90 percent of the project to update the Sikeston Memorial Airport terminal. Council also authorized the engineering services contract to Waters Engineering.

• Authorized an agreement between the City, Board of Municipal Utilities and the Sikeston Jaycees for the use of the Clinton Building for rodeo activities during Rodeo Week.