Cape Girardeau County to create new parking lot on North Hope Street

The Cape Girardeau County Commission on Monday received one bid to demolish a home on North Hope Street that will be cleared to create more public parking in uptown Jackson.

The home at 205 North Hope Street was sold to the county for $85,000 after commissioners unanimously approved the buy in closed session April 23, using money from the 2011 Capital Bond fund. The property is directly behind the county Archive Center and, once converted, a handicapped-accessible gravel lot will provide 15 parking spaces for users of that resource as well as for offices that will be installed at 120 E. Washington St., around the corner.

The county purchased the building on East Washington last August and it was approved to house the public administrator's office in October. Public Administrator Phyllis Schwab cited safety concerns and the benefits of proximity to other government offices in her request to relocate her home office to the vacant facility.

In response to concerns about foot and vehicle traffic and potential decreased property values raised by a residential neighbor of the planned parking lot, the county agreed to erect a privacy fence to the north side of the lot.

Ronald Kucera Jr. of Jackson submitted the only demolition bid for $18,988. The bid was referred to the building and grounds department for review and recommendation.

The parking lot and renovated offices on East Washington are both scheduled for completion by Aug. 1.

The commission also approved an engineering contract with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying Inc. of Cape Girardeau for a bridge replacement project on County Road 272. Eight companies competed for the contract. The bridge will cost $325,000 to $350,000 to replace, Associate Commissioner Paul Koeper estimated in May and federal funds from fuel taxes allocated to the county to replace bridges that lie outside major state road systems will pay for the project.

The county approved a request by Steven Pledger, director of the Archive Center, to advertise for a part-time archive technician to replace a staff member that is resigning next month.

Associate Commissioner Jay Purcell was absent from commission proceedings.

salderman@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, MO

120 E. Washington St., Jackson, MO

205 N. Hope St., Jackson, MO