Vehicle Maintenance, Sanitation Divisions relocated to P.W. Services Park

Mayor Bill Jenks, III

After nearly 15 years of planning, designing and finalizing the construction of a 20,000-square-foot steel building, the City’s Vehicle Maintenance Division and Sanitation Division – divisions of the Environmental Services Department, are in the process of relocating to the new facility located off McCutchen Drive in the Public Works Services Park (next to the Rolla Recycling facility).

The Vehicle Maintenance Division formerly located at the corner of 18^th and Old St. James Road, will be moving into the new facility on McCutchen Dr. this Monday, Feb. 11. The former building was bought by the Rolla Monument Company, which will be occupying it soon.

Members of the Sanitation Division, currently located in an antiquated structure in the old Public Works Services Yard off Sharp Road, will move into the new Public Works Services park facility sometime in mid-February.

The relocation of both of these important City divisions will greatly improve not only the working conditions and environment for the employees, but also their ability to operate much more efficiently and in a much healthier environment. Much care and attention was made by the City, Archer-Elgin Surveying and Engineering, LLC and Bales Construction Co., Inc. to enhance the air quality in the facility, the HVAC systems, heating systems, and overall insulation of the building. This facility, which was long overdue, and as I said, many years in the planning, will provide a much improved work environment that will be ADA compatible, and in compliance with all the Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations. In fact, the facility could probably serve as a great example or model for other cities and municipalities interested in designing and constructing such a facility.

A lot of hard work, research, planning and thought went into the design, layout, work flow, energy efficiencies, cost savings, and high quality construction of this facility by many individuals, including Brady Wilson, Director of Environmental Services; Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works; John Butz, City Administrator; Archer-Elgin Surveying and Engineering, based in Rolla, and of course, the contractor, Bales Construction Co., Inc. I can’t thank all of these individuals and companies enough for all their diligence in finishing the project on time and under budget – with a quality product that will meet the needs of the Environmental Services Department and Rolla community for several years to come.

The Rolla community, I believe,  has a lot to be proud of with the addition of this new facility, and I think when you see it, you will agree. The City is planning a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new facility just as soon as both divisions get relocated and settled in, and I’ll be sure to let you know when this event will be held, so you can put it on your calendar. Tours of the facility will be available for the public, and City staff will be available to answer questions and introduce you to the Vehicle Maintenance Division and Sanitation Division staff.

Other future additions planned, but not yet funded, at the new Public Works Services Park on McCutchen, will include a new facility for the Public Works’ Street Division, Traffic Engineering/Sign Division, and a new Animal Shelter that will serve the needs of the Rolla region, and hopefully beyond. With over 100 acres of land available at the Public Works Services Park that is owned by the City of Rolla, several tracks of land are also part of an industrial park that have already been considered for purchase by other businesses and industries throughout the country and abroad. The City is hopeful that the Public Works Services Park and Industrial Park will attract yet more manufacturing, commercial and hi-tech industry to the Rolla region.

 Have a nice weekend and a safe week!