The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce’s March luncheon featured a question-and-answer session with City Administrator Sam Anselm regarding in-progress and future city projects and events, including plans for the downtown area, the upcoming eclipse weekend, and the possible addition of jobs.
Anselm began by talking about city-owned “parklets” and said the idea of putting temporary outdoor seating in a parking space started about 20 years ago in California. He said there were some negative comments about the first parklet when it was installed on Washington Avenue in front of Ozark Pizza Company because it takes up a parking space, but reminded there are about 300 parking spaces downtown.
Designated downtown parking areas are now indicated by new signage, he added, and businesses interested in having the parklet in front of their locations may request it. He pointed out the concept should also encourage foot traffic in the downtown area.
Anselm also addressed rumors of an additional 200,000 people expected in the West Plains area for the April 8 eclipse and the weekend activities leading up to it, saying that number is likely very much overestimated.
City Tourism Manager Melissa Wharton said the numbers run closer to 43,000 on the low end and 173,000 on the high end, but that estimate is for the entire path of totality in Missouri, not just the West Plains area.
Given the wide range of potential additional traffic, Anselm said the city has tried to overprepare for it somewhat, pointing out hotels are full for that weekend and tourism dollars are being used to fund and promote events and provide additional services like additional police presence and the opportunity for local nonprofits to have fundraisers connected to eclipse activities.
Anselm also said it is possible Cass and Dixon streets off of Washington Avenue could be closed for the event, and as they have been identified problem areas trafficwise, it is possible the city may look into closing those streets permanently in the future. The closures would also create more outdoor gathering space, he said, adding there will be no charge for parking during the event.
Also related to the downtown area, Planning & Zoning Commision Chairman Terry Sanders asked about a future entertainment district that is being discussed, based on the city's recent comprehensive plan and survey. An open container district downtown has been talked about, but a district has to be identified and designated because business owners can't allow patrons to take alcoholic beverages out of the business. The district could come before the city council next month, as an experiment to reinvest life into the downtown area, he said.
Anselm added he didn't know if there would be a public hearing on the matter, but reminded everyone city council meetings are open to the public with first readings of ordinances one month and second readings the next month. Anyone may contact the city clerk's office at city hall at 417-256-7176 to be put on the agenda for comment, and may also attend Planning & Zoning committee meetings.
A new sports complex in the Southern Hills shopping area has also been discussed, but will probably be years in the making, Anselm said, and would use possible sales tax funding for operation costs from a parks and stormwater sales tax.
He commented the facility would probably be behind Walmart, with a location for sports tournaments that is close to shopping, restaurants and hotels, and the funding would be used to build new venues and maintain them.
The city has also been in talks with the Alabama-based company Provalus, which is looking to bring information technology jobs to small cities in the U.S. Anselm said the company approached the city and was vetted to make sure it is legitimate, and it has already opened locations in about a half dozen other rural cities.
Mayor Mike Topliff, MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster and City Building Official & Zoning Administrator Dustin Harrison traveled earlier this month to Alabama to meet with company officials. The goal is to create about 200 jobs in the IT sector, including security and helpdesk jobs, and the company prefers to move into old buildings in downtown areas and renovate them.
In other business news, Anselm added that construction on the McAlister's Deli is underway at the intersection of Jan Howard Expressway and Broadway, and the restaurant is expected to be open in the fall.
He also remarked on marijuana sales tax revenues, estimated by the Missouri Municipal League to bring in about $100,000 to $150,000 per dispensary yearly. He noted there are two dispensaries in West Plains, but cautioned the numbers are preliminary and the city will have a better idea of actual revenues by the end of summer.
Talking about flood management projects, Anselm said four basins have been identified as areas that need to be improved for future flood control. Bids for those projects came in higher than first estimated but the Community Development Block Grant program is funding the Northfork Detention Basin, and the Economic Development Administration will fund the Galloway Creek Basin, he noted.
Both are under construction and will evaluated for effectiveness once completed. Those two were identified as priorities because of impact on flood mitigation efforts, and as more funding is available the other two projects will be worked on, depending on local and federal funding availability. The goal, Anselm explained, is to avoid flooding such as that of April 2017, and also lead to lower rates for flood insurance for business owners once hydrologic studies are complete.
