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| Mayor Bill Jenks, III |
Whenever we think of goals or resolutions for
a new year, the word ‘prosper’ or ‘prosperity’ almost always seems to find its
way into the discussion or conversation. So this week’s column is somewhat
appropriately focused on how important our City’s infrastructure is to the
prosperity of our community.
While some of my previous City Talk columns have included information
about the vital role infrastructure projects and improvements play in the
future prosperity of our community, there seems to currently be an abundance of
examples that can illustrate this.
Let’s start with the new Public Works Services Park, located off
McCutchen Drive, near the Rolla Recycling Center. This large area of land, once
referred to as the Mead Property, is showing significant signs of development
with the near completion of a new building that will house the Environmental
Services Department’s Vehicle Maintenance Division and Solid Waste Division. A
portion of this area will also be used as the future site of a new Animal
Shelter, Street Division, and Traffic Engineering Division. But there is also additional
land available for new industrial and business expansion for companies looking
to located in this area.
Another area where infrastructure improvements continue to be made is in
the Blues Lake area located between Bridge School Road and Martin Springs Outer
Drive. This area, which is home to Mercy Health Clinic, several clinics
operated by Phelps County Regional
Medical Center, the Bond Clinic, now operated and owned by P.C.R.M.C., has
developed into an impressive and attractive health and medical complex that
will soon include a new 110-bed nursing home. The new Columbia College campus
is also a great addition to this area. Most businesses and individuals thinking
about locating to an area or community are typically very interested in the
quality of health care and medical options available.
In
the not too distant future, significant improvements will be made to Hwy. V and
the I-44 overpass at HyPoint Industrial Blvd. near Love’s Truck Stop. Wider
ramps, new traffic lights, and expanded traffic lanes will all enhance this
busy area, which serves not only as a strategic corridor for the trucking,
travel and tourism industry that uses the Love’s Truck Stop area, but also all
the commerce that takes place at HyPoint Industrial Park, located just around
the bend. HyPoint Industrial park is home to such important businesses as
Brewer Science, Inc., Mo-Sci, Fed-Ex, Coca Cola, Pepsi, and many others.
Expansion is evident at HyPoint with the construction of a new 17,400-foot business
expansion at MoSci that will add recognition, and additional employment
opportunities for the area.
Infrastructure
improvements planned for Rolla National Airport (located 13 miles north of
Rolla off Hwy. 63 North), in the way of a new water tower, sanitary sewer
systems, and electrical upgrades, will all enhance the marketability and
desirability of the 1,200 acres that comprise RNA. These improvements will
provide the necessary ground-work and foundation for the kind of new industrial
and business development that is so vital to the economic development of the
Rolla and Phelps County region.
From
a residential perspective, vital infrastructure improvements are being made to
the Basswood Drive area located off Hwy. 63 South. New storm sewers, new curb
and gutter, new road beds and smooth streets will greatly enhance the aesthetics
of this area and improve property values along the way.
By
improving the City’s infrastructure, we improve our community, and become more
prosperous. A prosperous community provides badly needed job opportunities where
individuals can pursue and focus on meaningful employment opportunities and pursue
the type of quality of life that benefits us all as a community. Rolla is
getting stronger through solid, sustained infrastructure, and I believe the
momentum for economic growth and prosperity is in our favor for 2013 and
beyond.
2013: Environmental Services Dept. List of Important Dates (Clip & Save)
Feb. 18, 2013 - President’s Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday;
Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
April 6, 2013 - Citywide Spring
Clean Up:
Saturday - Citywide clean up day
(Residential only).
May 27, 2013 - Memorial Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday;
Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
July 4, 2013 - Independence Day: Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Sept. 2, 2013 - Labor Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday;
Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Nov.
28, 2013 – Thanksgiving Day: Thursday’s trash will
be picked up Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2013 – Christmas
Day: Trash service will not change.
.
Holidays NOT affecting trash or
recycling collection:
Oct. 14, 2013 – Columbus Day
Nov. 11, 2013 – Veteran’s Day
Nov. 29, 2013 – Day after Thanksgiving
Have a nice weekend and a safe week!
