By Wally Kennedy
wkennedy@joplinglobe.com
QUAPAW, Okla. — The construction of Blue Stem Park, a new subdivision that is recycling old houses from Picher, is progressing, with the first units set for possible occupancy in May.
Johnny Seeling, developer of the property, said 30 houses have been moved to the site, but two of them could not be remodeled because of structural issues.
“We have some of the nicer houses on County Road 620, and 15 in back that are ready for sale,” he said. “We have three under contract.”
The houses cannot be occupied because the permits for water and sewer service to the subdivision are still pending with the town of Quapaw. Seeling said he hopes to have the permit issues resolved in the next 30 days. If that happens, water and sewer infrastructure could be installed in April.
Electrical service to the subdivision has been installed. About 60 percent of the work associated with natural-gas service has been completed.
“We’ve had a lot of interest,” Seeling said. “We’re cutting in interior streets right now, and we’ll pave them with asphalt after the water and sewer infrastructure is in place. It’s beginning to be more like a place somebody would want to live.”
About 90 other structures are awaiting relocation from Picher to Quapaw as the buyout of properties in the Superfund site continues. A federal study found that much of Picher and Cardin is undermined, and to some degree at risk of collapse. The Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust was formed by state legislation to fund a voluntary buyout and relocation of residents.
Seeling said he has been told that the buyout of families could end later this year or early in 2010.
Homes lost
Johnny Seeling lost about 20 houses that could have been moved. The houses were destroyed by a tornado struck the south side of Picher on May 10, 2008.
