Platte City came a few steps closer to developing its property at the former Rising Star Elementary School site.
During the board of aldermen meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15, the board approved a professional service agreement with SFA Architecture for site development plan in the amount of $39,700. A budget amendment was approve as well.
In addition, a resolution was passed to endorse an application to apply for a Missouri Department of Natural Resources Land and Conservation and Water Fund matching grant for a splash pad and park amenities.
The city purchased the seven acre property in July of 2016 from the Platte County R-3 School district. In October of last year the former school was demolished in hopes of using it as a city park or recreation facility. The park committee identified the property as the future of a swimming pool/recreation center but due to cost it is unlikely to be a full aquatic facility until 2030, when full funding would be available.
SFA Architecture was one of four finalist chosen in November to work with the city on the property. The other finalists were Snyder & Association, Vireo Consulting and Olsson/OHH.
The proposed work is a 16 to 20 week project that will include preparing for a public planning process with the park committee, conduct multiple public reviews and comment options including online surveys, immediate neighborhood meetings and full community meeting as well as developing a master/site plan based on preferred options. The latter could be completed by June or July.
The DNR and LWCF fund could net $225,000 matching grant in assist in funding of phase I of the Rising Star property, which could include a splash pad and park facilities. Project discussions have identified a budget range of $350,00 to $550,00 for phase I, according to documents.
Platte City was awarded a LWCF grant for two previous park projects – J.S. Lewis Park and Riverview Park.
The proposal deadline is Feb. 15.
In other news
Approved a bid from Steve Knighton Logging to pay the city $3,501 for harvest and removal of 23 mature walnut trees from the east side Route HH property. He submitted the only bid.
Approved a liquor license to allow the sale of liquor with Sunday sales to Discount Smoke & Liquor at 2409 NW Prairie View Road.
After the police chief search wraps up, the next order of business for city administrator will be filing the open parks department director spot.
Passed a resolution to reimburse certain capital expenditures with proceeds of TIF obtained for various facility projects of the city, including but not limited to construction/renovation of a police station/combination of a police station/administration building; renovation of city hall building; construction of park/recreation facilities at Rising Star Elementary site with an estimated cost of $3.2 million, as well as Highway 92 corridor, overpass, access and exit ramps; improvements to Kentucky Avenue/Platte Falls Road with an estimated cost of $2.9 million.