MRPC News Release
March 22, 2006
For more information, contact:
Richard Cavender or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
MRPC SUPPORTS ST. ROBERT SCENIC BYWAYS REQUEST
ST. JAMES—The board of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission went on record in support of a grant to the National Scenic Byways Program pursued by the city of St. Robert. If funded, the city, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, would turn MoDOT's maintenance facility on Old Route 66 into a city park. MoDOT operations would be relocated elsewhere. The plan would be to renovate the building into a museum, commemorating Route 66, the Trail of Tears and Fort Leonard Wood, and also create a fitness trail, an interpretive site, and connection to Reed Park. The action occurred during the board's regular meeting on March 9 in St. James.
"This is a good project and an excellent use of tax dollars," said Richard Cavender, MRPC executive director, after the meeting.
In other business, the board:
• Appointed Jim Decker of Owensville to be the board's chamber of commerce representative as he is the executive director of industry for the Owensville Chamber of Commerce. New board requirements handed down by the US Economic Development Administration require chamber representation. Decker already is the at-large commissioner for industry.
• Approved contracts with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to prepare a commuter mobility study for the Fort Leonard Wood area. The work will be done in partnership with the Missouri Transportation Institute, the University of Missouri Rolla and Fort Leonard Wood. The study will evaluate potential ridership between Fort Wood, Rolla, Lebanon and the surrounding communities. If it proves feasible, a system could be designed and implemented, Cavender said.
• Approved a contract with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to assist communities with community focus initiatives.
• Heard an update on the proposed City/County Health Insurance Consortium, which will involve the formation of a committee and preparation of a request for qualifications for a broker.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Officers are Chairman Gary Brown of Salem, Vice Chairman Bob Reed of Washington County, Secretary Mary Heywood of Bourbon and Treasurer Laura Antolak of Rolla.
A professional staff of 23, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities upon request.
The MRPC board will meet April 13 at its office at 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. All meetings are open to the public.