Complete Jackson comprehensive plan to be discussed during planning and zoning meeting

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr doesn't have a crystal ball, but she thinks a plan that has been a year in the making could offer a glimpse into where the city hopes to be by 2019.

The Jackson comprehensive plan includes ideas for a plethora of improvements, such as a second fire station, increased business activity, expansion of the city's trail system and easement of traffic-flow problems. A complete version is scheduled for presentation during Wednesday's planning and zoning commission at 7:30 p.m. inside Jackson City Hall.

Since December, leaders from the city have held regular meetings with residents to receive input on the plan, a step Lohr said was critical to the process.

"I am very pleased about the input we got from a large number of our citizens," Lohr said. "Our board of aldermen will work aggressively to implement those changes that can be accomplished in a fiscally responsible way."

Among the issues addressed in the city's last comprehensive plan in 1998 was flow of traffic within Uptown Jackson, a problem Lohr thinks still has not been addressed.

The plan calls for three proposals for solving the problems in the S-bend of U.S. 61 in uptown Jackson. Two options involve splitting northbound and southbound traffic and sending motorists in different directions. The third option calls for a stoplight at Main and Hope streets, a turn lane and a roundabout.

"Uptown traffic is an issue that we have wrestled with for years," said Janet Sanders, Jackson building and planning superintendent. "We hope to find an alternative that will help the traffic flow with the least amount of impact on private properties. As found with our new comprehensive plan, part of keeping the uptown area's vitality is keeping traffic flowing through uptown instead of diverting it to another location."

Uptown Jackson will play an important role in the city maintaining its small-town atmosphere while at the same time serving as a catalyst for attracting retail establishments, according to the plan.

Historic preservationist Tom Strickland has been a driving force behind a streetscape project on a section of High Street between Main and Adams streets that he believes will help revitalize the area. The project's improvements include historic lighting, bike racks, sidewalk pavers, trash receptacles and benches are scheduled for a mid-December completion.

"It's been proven in other areas that historic districts with enhancements attract more people," Strickland said. "When you see empty buildings deteriorating, that gives off a negative image to visitors. My hope is that this project will spur retail developments in the Uptown area and beyond."

East Main Street is another area poised for future development according to the plan. The plan calls for a mix of commercial and retail uses in the area, including gas stations, big-box stores, restaurants, hotels and entertainment options.

Only a handful of businesses are operating in the area, but the law firm of Lichtenegger, Weiss & Fetterhoff is building a new office and Rhodes 101 plans to begin construction on a new convenience store in 2010.

The city plans to annex and begin construction on a portion of land that will connect Old Orchard Road with East Main Street.

Mitch Robinson, executive director of Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, said once that is complete and the economy begins to rebound, the area should see a growth spurt.

"The city has done a great job planning for this development, which will be the next area that should see major growth in Jackson," Robinson said. "Once the economy begins to rebound we should start seeing some play."

While the Southeast Missouri State University's Technology Village near the new interchange along East Main Street hasn't had any activity, the plan predicts that in 10 years it will have added some businesses.

"There's nothing concrete in there right now but I see it developing in the future," Robinson said. "That area is poised for growth, and it's just a matter of time before we starting to see something happen. The key is building the outer roads and attracting some more businesses near the area before something major happens with the technology village."

As for plans to construct a new fire station, a committee was formed in 1998 to look at the need and location of a future station that can provide service for the northern portion of the city.

The plan said that by 2019 a third station could be constructed to better serve the west part of Jackson.

Lohr said that for the safety of Jackson's citizens and to retain a rating that contributes to low insurance rates, a new station is needed.

As for improving the city's quality of life, the plan calls for construction of a new community center off East Deerwood Drive, addition of small neighborhood parks and athletic fields, expansion of its trail system and improvement of its school system that has seen new buildings built in recent years to address overcrowding.

Alderman Joe Bob Baker, who served on the comprehensive plan committee, said that while he realizes some of what is proposed in the comprehensive plan may not be accomplished, the plan provides a direction for which way the city must go.

"If we had all the money to do this, you can bet we'd be able to accomplish every single thing listed in the plan," Baker said.

"I'd like to see us bring in more revenue -- a key to helping make this plan happen -- with more businesses, restaurants and retail stores throughout the city.

'We hope that in 10 years we can look back and say we've accomplished what needed to be done."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628