Council OKs $7.4M for new Rosecrans complex, funds for street repairs
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Significant investments to upgrade Rosecrans Memorial Airport, a plan for Nortian Foodtech revenue bonds and millions in funding for annual street repairs are moving forward following approval from the St. Joseph City Council.
Councilmembers approved a $3.1 million contract with Herzog Contracting Corp. for the 2025 asphalt street resurfacing program. The project includes roughly 32.5 lane miles of repairs, eight fewer than 2024. Funding for the annual project is generated from St. Joseph's use tax.
Notable streets that will see improvements include Messanie, Jules, Northwest Parkway and Locust. A full list can be found here.
Also approved is a high-profile $7.4 million agreement to design a critical piece of the 139th Airlift Wing's future: a new maintenance control complex designed to accommodate the coveted C-130j aircraft, which the base has long sought. Project funding comes from state appropriations OK'd by former Gov. Mike Parson last year.
"This will be a brand new state-of-the-art facility with everything specked out for C-130J models," Rosecrans Memorial Airport Manager Julius Rice said. "All of those maintenance functions and features will be built into the building."
Rice said the complex would be large enough to fit two C-130J models.
The civilian airport and military base are in the midst of a widespread multi-year modernization project that includes relocating the 139th to the north end. Along with the addition of a new runway last year, Rosecrans is weeks away from opening a new terminal building and making headway on a new $17 million air traffic control tower, which expected to be finished in a year.
"On the south end of the base. We're in old World War II facilities that have been around for decades and decades and been modernized to the best of our abilities. But obviously, there's so much you can do with them," he said.
Council supports plan to issue revenue bonds for protein manufacturing facility
Monday's agenda included a resolution to support authorizing $18.5 million in Chapter 100 revenue bonds for Nortian Foodtech's new protein manufacturing set for development at 2202 Alabama Street.
Approval of the resolution allows the company to move forward with plans to purchase new
capital in conjunction with a new location in St Joseph, a 160,000-square-foot facility at the Stockyards Industrial Park that will create 138 new jobs over five years.
Through the issuance of the Chapter 100 Bonds, the company would receive 75% abatement on all personal property taxes in years one, two and three and 50% abatement in years four to ten.
Further approval by City Council will be required upon completion of the project to issue bonds associated with the final cost of the project.
The City of St Joseph is not responsible or liable for the debt associated with this bond Issuance.
Nortian’s “state-of-the-art” manufacturing facility will utilize technology to convert by-products from the local meat industry into food-grade protein.
Council approves new composting ordinance
The council approved a measure to revise the city's code of ordinances to allow for composting on private property. Composting is the managed process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and certain food scraps, into a natural fertilizer that helps enrich soil for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture
The ordinance expands the city's regulations to allow widely accepted composting materials like fruits, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and other organic matter. The ordinance adjusts regulations on the size and location of composting bins relative to the homeowner and adjacent property owners.
City readies funds for River Bluff Trails Fest
Councilmembers approved an ordinance authorizing $4,000 in transient guest tax funds for miscellaneous tourism, vendors and promotion expenses for the River Bluff Trails Festival, which is tentatively set for May 17-18 after being canceled last fall due to inclement weather.
Other bills approved by City Council
An elevator construction agreement with MEI Total Elevator Solutions in the amount of $720,335 for upgrades to the City Hall elevators.
A resolution authorizing a change order No. 5 with E.L. Crawford Construction Inc. for additional work on the Civic Arena restroom renovations project in the amount of $54,492.
