Sun, Nov 22 2009
|
|
State building proposal intrigues business circles Souls Harbor Mission, 915 Main St., criticized in the past as an impediment to development of the area, would be displaced if the city’s proposal goes through. The mission’s director, Joann Lewis, declined to talk about the proposal or its effects on the mission.
Another building owner in the block, David Keith Rand, of Webb City, said he’s been approached about selling as part of the city’s proposal but he would not say by whom or what was discussed. He owns two buildings where the Main Street and Willard Apartments are located. Asked if would he be willing to sell, he replied: “I probably would be. It would just depend on what the offer was.” John and Sue Kester have operated Discount Furniture, 901 Main St., for 15 years in space they rent from Rand. “It won’t affect us. We’d just relocate,” John Kester said. Most of the other buildings in the target area are unoccupied and owned by people who do not live in the area. Current leases? Some of the property owners who lease to the various state offices are making proposals if they can. Joplin Plaza at Seventh Street and Illinois Avenue is one of the shopping centers where some state offices are located. Plaza owner, Tom Muccio of Fayetteville, Ark., said he could do some remodeling to give the state more space but, because of the economy, he cannot get financing to build to all the state’s specifications. “We’ve approached a number of banks with a number of proposals,” he said. “The state can only commit (to a lease) one year at a time. Even though it is unlikely they would move out, there’s no bank that would give you a loan on that basis,” Muccio said. He still would like to work something out with the state, but he said that with the tight credit market stalling new construction projects, he believes he can rent the space eventually if the state does move. City Manager Mark Rohr says the city has been contacted by several developers. The city already owns property in the 900 block on Virginia Avenue. The city would pledge that property to the project along with its power of eminent domain and up to $1 million to buy other properties. “The City Council determined that, in their minds, a new building would add significant momentum in terms of what we’ve done to the downtown and would be worth that investment,” Rohr said. He said he doesn’t believe the city’s offer will impede any private developer. “It depends on your specific circumstances. I’m not sure it puts us in competition. It puts us in a position to further the goal for the construction of a new building,” Rohr said. The state initially held a bidding conference here on Oct. 1 and set the deadline for receiving proposals for Nov. 19. That deadline has now been moved to Dec. 10. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local News section
Is choice coming to the ballot? Family mourns death of soldier
: |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Joplin considers FAG debt agreement for plant expansion w/ company info
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers :
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
