City breaks ground on new trash transfer station

The topic of trash and its disposal may not be an interesting to many, but that's not the case with Cape Girardeau officials.

Those attending the groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning for a new multi-use transfer station were all smiles.

A new transfer station has been high on the city's list of capital improvements projects for a little more than five years. The Public Works Department has been especially interested in finding a way to make the project happen.

"It's been a long time coming," said public works director Steve Cook.

The delay was primarily because of funding. Until recently, the only revenue stream available was an increase in user fees -- an option that did not appeal to the city. A new opportunity presented itself in December when the city council approved an agreement with Republic Services to haul solid waste from the city's transfer station to the company's landfill. Republic was chosen over three other groups that responded to the city's August 2014 request for proposals for solid-waste services.

The agreement approved in December included a provision for Republic to operate its hauling operation and process all solid waste from that operation through a new city-owned and operated multi-use transfer station. Revenue generated from the solid waste processed by the city from Republic's hauling operation, in addition to lease payments from the company for using city-owned facilities, helped provide revenue for the project and eliminated the need to increase user fees.

Republic has its own hauling operation and operates out of a facility in Fruitland. Under the agreement, the trash the company collects from residents and businesses around Cape Girardeau County going to that transfer station would be brought to Cape Girardeau's transfer station. The additional trash means additional revenue.

Special obligation bonds and casino revenue also fund the project.

Council action in January cleared the way for the city to enter into an agreement with Cambridge Companies Inc. for professional and construction management services for the new multi-use transfer station. Since that time, much of the work on the project has focused on completing the design of the project.

Monday's groundbreaking represented the beginning of construction on the project. The council approved Aug. 3 a guaranteed maximum price for the project of $3,812,614, nearly $57,000 lower than the estimate.

Assistant public works director Stan Polivick said construction may begin as early as next week. Representatives from Cambridge attending the groundbreaking said the work will take about seven months, and they are aiming for a completion date of about April 1. In a news release issued earlier this year, Cambridge said it will subcontract construction to local trades and suppliers in Cape Girardeau County.

The new transfer station will be built on land owned by the city. It sits across from the new wastewater treatment facility on Corporate Circle near the public works station. Cook said the location has a lot to offer, especially compared to the existing transfer station in the 2500 block of South Sprigg Street. Part of the street is closed because of sinkholes, making it difficult to access, and flooding of the nearby Mississippi River can cause issues as well.

The station, which has operated since the late 1980s, also has suffered issues with its scales. Cook said moving out to a new facility is to the benefit of all parties involved.

"This is going to be better for the citizens and better for Republic," he said. "There are a lot of positives."

Last year, more than 23,000 tons of trash and materials were brought to the existing transfer station to be hauled to landfills, according to the city. In addition to trash collected from the city's curbside residential trash pickup, the facility served more than 9,000 customers. Cook said the new facility and its updated equipment will be better able to handle the increasing demand and the changes in equipment and technology.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Corporate Circle, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2500 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.