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No. 7: Scott County has big plans with new development
Published 12/24/2009 in Local News
Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of 10 stories counting down The Telegram's top 10 stories of 2009 as chosen by the staff of The Telegram. Today's story, No. 7, is about growth in Scott City.
By RACHAEL GRAY
rgray@gctelegram.com
Monica Springer/Telegram Workers apply brick and mortar to the north side of the Scott County Law Enforcement Center during construction in March.1
The year 2009 was one for development in Scott County.
Officials moved into a new law enforcement center, residents built a new playground, and have plans for a new county hospital and additions and renovations are in the works at Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City.
Law enforcement officials moved into a new law enforcement center at the end of June. The new building replaced a building from the 1950s that was outdated and posed security risks to police officers, sheriff's deputies and other employees, according to officials.
The $4.2 million project, approved in August 2008, gave the new center 19,000 square feet. The south end of the building is for office space and the building has a basement.
The new building features separate rooms for laundry, a kitchen, separate rooms for the police department and the sheriff's office, storage space for evidence and equipment for officers and deputies, and a separate room for the records office.
In September, voters decided 830-776 in favor of constructing a new county hospital.
Scott County Hospital CEO Mark Burnett, after the vote, called voters in Scott County "a progressive and forward thinking" community.
"Scott County will survive and grow," Burnett said.
Hospital officials had asked for general obligation bonds and sales tax bonds, which include additional property taxes, a 1 percent increase in sales tax and an 11 percent annual contribution from hospital revenues.
Hospital officials say the property tax increase breaks down to about a $7.25-per-month tax increase for home owners of properties valued at $100,000, and $15.75-per-month tax increase for commercial property owners of properties valued at the same price. A $24 million bond issue at 5.25 percent interest for 30 years would result in an annual debt payment of $1.6 million for the county.
In October, Park on the Plains, a new playground in Scott City, was dedicated as 200 people gathered for the ceremony. Park on the Plains is a community-built playground in Scott City that volunteers helped build, plan and fund.
The playground, a $300,000 project, is a 13,000 square-foot oasis for kids that includes a grain elevator, an old-fashioned car and a tractor, along with normal playground equipment like monkey bars and swings.
During the last week of construction, builders and volunteers braved 40-degree weather with rain and wind to finish the project.
Julie Parkinson, publicity coordinator and team captain, estimated more than 900 volunteers helped build the playground in October.
Julie Eikenberry, grant writer and site captain for the project, commended the community involvement in the playground project.
"We never dreamed there could be so many people involved. It's been such a community booster," Eikenberry said, adding that the friendship that the community gains will be the greatest part of the project.
In November, Scott County voters decided 906-302 to approve a $5.75 million bond issue for the expansion and renovation of Park Lane Nursing Home.
The project will include renovations such as a new kitchen and construction of a new wing with more private rooms to provide comfortable, home-like settings for residents. Other renovations will include new lighting, flooring, and heating and cooling systems.
Scott County Clerk Pam Faurot said the property tax increase breaks down to about a $70-per-year tax increase for homeowners of properties valued at $100,000, and $185-per-year increase for commercial property owners of properties valued at the same price.
Jerry Korbe, CEO of Scott County Rest Home Inc., said the voting patterns of Scott County residents show the community is positive and progressive.
"They're willing to build for the future. These people are willing to move forward so there's growth and hope for the future. With everything that's been done in the past decade, it's very positive and humbling," he said. "We're thankful and grateful to the voters."
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Growth in Scott City
Although it is not a public developement, the addition to St. Joseph Catholic Church on Main Street (approx 1.5 million) could be mentioned.
Posted by: Carole Stark on 1/25/2010