City starts $800K West Meadows transformation

The city began environmental cleanup work this week for the Jordan Valley West Meadows, the first phase of the section of Jordan Valley west of Main Avenue.

The cleanup, along with revegetation, aims to transform vacant brownfield sites into open public green space by early 2011, according to a city news release.

The roughly $800,000 project is contracted by Webster County Excavating, with Terracon Consultants Inc. and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Voluntary Cleanup Program as project overseers.

Funding is funneled through the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program, with 20 percent of the cost share provided through the city's Community Development Block Grant and Level Property Tax, the release said.

The Jordan Valley and Jordan Valley Park Concept Plan and Design Guidelines, approved by City Council in February, outlines plans for Jordan Valley redevelopment, including the following recommendations for West Meadows:

• Open space;
• Jordan Creek and stormwater management restoration;
• Constructed wetlands;
• Greenway trails;
• Native vegetation;
• Connections to West Central Neighborhood;
• A feasibility study of an inside Jordan Valley rail line transportation system;
• A site investigation for a public facility along Main Avenue; and
• Fort Avenue improvements.

The goals are listed under phase one of the project. Phase two is optional, depending on availability of funding and recommendations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to the concept plan.

The Jordan Valley redevelopment plan is broken up into four areas: West Meadows, East Meadows, the Quarry and General.[[In-content Ad]]