Gold Mechanical eyes PIC West

At its Oct. 31 meeting, Springfield City Council approved a bill authorizing more than $1.4 million in the fiscal year 2005-2006 Public Works Department budget to make infrastructure improvements at the center.

The money will pay for the city’s portion of a $2.28 million project that includes extending Alliance Street north of Division for more than 2,500 feet, along with necessary storm water improvements.

The road extension allows for a new tenant in the center. Gold Mechanical Inc., 700 N. Miller St., has plans to build a new facility on Division Street in the center, just west of the Catholic cemetery.

While Gold Mechanical President Dwain Gold could not be reached for comment, Karl Plumpe, associate general manager for economic development with City Utilities, said the deal has been approved. He said the plan will be submitted when the street is complete.

He added that there are other potential tenants in discussions with PIC West organizers; the lots in which they’re interested also would utilize this road extension.

According to the contract that created the center, the city provides sanitary sewer service and 60 percent of the cost of storm water, sidewalks and street improvements.

The costs will be repaid through money received from the sale of the property – first to the city and the Small Business Development Corp. to cover their costs in acquiring the land, and then on a pro rata basis to the city and county funds that covered the infrastructure improvements.

The $1.4 million approved is just part of the funding for the infrastructure of the entire industrial center; total infrastructure costs are estimated at $8.7 million, more than half of which will come from city coffers.

“We did a cost estimate when the park started,” Plumpe said. “We said, ‘Here’s the budget for doing it all at one time.’ What the city has chosen to do is to fund it in phases as the park develops. So as we’ve now reached another phase, that’s when they’re seeking the funding.”

Also at the meeting:

• Council put its support behind the Community Safety Initiative, which Greene County citizens will vote on Nov. 8. The initiative, if passed, would assess a one-quarter cent sales tax for purchases made in the county, half of which would sunset after five years.

The money would be used for several projects in the city, including the hiring of up to 36 new police personnel, mostly support staff, along with four new animal control officers and three new positions in the E-911 office, and the renovation of the old L.E. Cox building on Tampa for use as a new crime lab to be manned by the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Early childhood development is also part of the initiative, with money being put toward programs to help prevent crime by better educating young children.

• Council passed a resolution to annex nearly 10 acres along West Plainview Road at the request of the property owner. A public hearing is slated for Nov. 28, with a vote to come Dec. 12.

[[In-content Ad]]