Council approves conceptual plan for Legion Park West

SIKESTON — Sikeston City Council approved the Legion Park West conceptual plan Monday night, marking the first step in the process toward extending Legion Park.

The approval was of the conceptual plan only, giving the City direction when thinking about the future and help them when applying for grant funding, which begins in September.

“It’s just conceptual at this time,” said Sikeston Director of Public Works Jay Lancaster. “No money has been budgeted. Nobody is starting anything tomorrow.”

An open house to look at three different plans was held April 14, in which the third option was overwhelmingly chosen as the favorite.

Patrick Worzer of Gateway Design Studios went over the plan which includes closing off a portion of New Madrid Street, building of a farmer’s market pavilion and including a spot for a playground area.

“The real benefit is that we’re eliminating a lot of pavement,” Worzer said. “This plan takes advantage of green space for events and gives the city an opportunity to take advantage of revitalization which is key to economic development that (the city) is trying to promote.”

The plan also calls for making West Front Street two-lane from New Madrid to Scott Street, while New Madrid Street would be closed from West Malone to West Front Street.

Lancaster said the Missouri Department of Transportation would modify the traffic light that is currently in place at the intersection, however, the light would remain.

Sikeston DPS Director James McMillen was asked if closing the street would eliminate a route for DPS vehicles responding to a call.

“If you’re going to expand the park, you’re going to have more kids in the playground and having that pass through with cars going through there it seems to be more of a concern for kids to get hurt than it was for us having to drive around,” McMillen said. “I really don’t think it will be that big of an inconvenience for us. It’s something we can get used to.”

One question involved the Depot and the parking lot. Worzer said both the parking to the west and east of the Depot would be intact, however, concern came over whether or not if the lot were full if there would be enough room to maneuver on the east side, near the caboose.

Werner said a study could be done to see before the plan is finalized. It was also brought up that there would be additional parking along Front Street that could be utilized.

“I think anytime you create an event space like this, you’re going to get more people downtown,” Worzer said. “It’s going to benefit store owners, the Depot, and I think it will be a win-win for everybody.”

After the conceptual plan was approved, Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow addressed the bathroom issue downtown that has plagued the area for years.

Turnbow said building a bathroom downtown has been on the budget beginning in 1983 and it still hasn’t been built. He asked for Lancaster and Sikeston City Manager Jonathan Douglass to come up with a plan for a bathroom on the east side of the park, near the pavilion, where the port-a-potties are usually kept.

Comments were made to keep the bathroom small, which Turnbow said they aren’t looking to put a large bathroom, just something “sufficient.”

The conceptual plan also calls for a bathroom on the west side of the park, however, the location has not yet been decided. Sikeston resident Janice Matthews suggested the bathroom be put on the on the west side of the park, near Scott Street, so fewer people would see it.

In other action Monday, Council:

• Approved an agreement for Sikeston BMU to construct a new substation near the power plant that will be jointly owned by Sikeston, Ameren and the Missouri Electric Utility Commission, of which Sikeston is a member. A full story will appear in a future edition of the Standard Democrat.

• Heard the first reading of a bill that would increase the average Sikeston BMU customer’s monthly sewer bill by an average of $14.23 over a period of three years. The bill will be tentatively be voted on by Council at their July 25 meeting. A full story will appear in a future edition of the Standard Democrat.

• Approved a request to subdivide a tract of land at 1330 S. Main.

• Approved a request for conditional variance use for an in-home dog grooming business, to be located at 506 E. Center Street.

• Were briefed by Barry Blevins, Sikeston community development director, on the City taking more action against derelict vehicles.

• Decided to postpone the next City Council meeting, set for July 4, and hold their next meeting on July 25.