Christian County population spurs government expansions

A 23.9 percent jump from 54,285 people in 2000 to 67,266 people in 2005 has strained government groups across the county. In response, the city of Nixa, Christian County Health Department, Christian County Ambulance District and school districts in both Ozark and Nixa are building new facilities.

“Growth is good, (but) it’s challenging,” said John Grubaugh, Christian County presiding commissioner.

Grubaugh credited Christian County’s population boom to its proximity to Springfield, Branson and major highways.

On the plaza

Nixa is expanding its government plaza by 15,000 square feet, nearly doubling its current size. The $3.9 million project is meant to deliver city services more efficiently, said Brian Bingle, Nixa city administrator and planning and development director.

Attached to the government plaza at 715 W. Mount Vernon St., the expansion will house city council chambers, records storage and inspections personnel. The existing plaza was built in 1990 when Nixa had 4,700 people. The city now has 16,000.

Bingle said 16 new employees would be hired during the next 10 years as services expand.

The existing government plaza will receive renovations for its courts and police departments. The entire project should wrap up next summer.

Shelenhamer Construction LLC is the project’s general contractor. Sapp Design Associates Architects PC is the architect, and Mettemeyer Engineering LLC, Malone Finkle Eckhardt & Collins and Shaffer & Hines are engineers. Terri West of Interior Planning Consultants Inc. is the interior designer.

Healthy community

The Christian County Health Department also is expanding, as is the county’s ambulance district.

The health department currently has 3,000 square feet at 301 E. Brick St. in Ozark. The expansion, at the same site, will give the department 6,500 square feet.

Health department Administrator Karen Potter said construction would begin in November, and the two-phase project should be complete by 2008.

Gaskin Hill Norcross of Missouri Inc. is architect and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer for the project. Miller Engineering LLC is the structural engineer. The general contractor hasn’t been awarded yet.

Shelenhamer Construction is the general contractor for Christian County Ambulance District’s new 10,650-square-foot facility at 1750 S. 15th Ave. in Ozark.

The $1.6 million project includes offices, sleeping quarters, a kitchen, day room and four-bay garage.

Gaskin Hill Norcross of Missouri is the architect, interior designer and mechanical and electrical engineer. Miller Engineering is the structural engineer.

“We anticipate that we’re still going to see quite a bit of growth,” said the health department’s Potter.

Textbook growth

Nixa and Ozark school bonds approved in April already are generating construction.

A $10 million bond in Ozark is funding a new elementary school at Highway CC and Fremont Road, new bus purchases and upgrades to computer and telephone networks.

An $11.4 million bond in Nixa is funding a 71,700-square-foot elementary school that should be built by June, along with additions to Espy Elementary and the high school.

Stephen Kleinsmith, superintendent of Nixa schools, said the school expansions mirror the county’s population growth. His district’s eight schools have enrollment of 5,100, up more than 311 students from last fall.

The district is using 12 mobile classrooms and is at capacity in its permanent buildings, he added.