Council to move forward with Corby Pond pavilion grant
By Cameron Montemayor
A popular St. Joseph fishing and walking destination on the Northwest Parkway could receive a new amenity following approval from city council to move forward.
At Monday’s meeting, council members authorized the filing of a $100,000 grant with the Missouri Department of Conservation for the purchase and installation of a new educational/recreational pavilion at Corby Pond.
“It really is kind of a natural fit to have something like that there. Unfortunately, we haven’t had anything like that in the past,” said Chuck Kempf, director of St. Joseph Parks, Recreation and Civic Facilities.
The city hopes to receive funding this time around after missing out on the grant last year. Officials are eyeing a pavilion that could be 20 by 40 feet in diameter, but grant funding and construction costs will ultimately dictate the size of the structure.
If approved this fall, Kempf said there’s a chance installation could start shortly after, but spring 2025 is the more likely start time.
“We are looking at a location that’s between the restrooms and the parkway, closer to 22nd Street, kind of off to the side of the restrooms, but close enough that that the restrooms would be handy,” Kempf said. “And then we’ll have to work on pedestrian crossings.”
The grant comes on the heels of $1.3 million in renovations to the 3.5-acre area in 2023, including enhancing the stormwater system and adding a retaining wall around the pond. Two new fishing docks were also installed.
St. Joseph’s sewer system will see work carried out in certain areas after council members approved two measures Monday, including an emergency purchase order to repair and replace a sewer main near Parkway A and Locust Street for $92,460. A second resolution authorizes $791,581 for sanitary sewer rehabilitation services using cured-in-pipe at various locations throughout the city.
St. Joseph is also set to move forward with flood mitigation work near Heritage Softball Complex after approval of $641,000 for the West Broadway Street Spillway project Monday.
The project will see the construction of a large concrete spillway near West Broadway Street and Heritage Park to address flooding concerns for adjacent residents and the softball facility when heavy rainstorms occur.
“The current dirt ditch that we use … it’s just so hard to keep it cleaned out,” Assistant Parks Director Jeff Atkins said during a previous work session. “Once flooding happens, it will allow us to get the water out of the area a lot sooner than we have been able to in the past.”
The city will also allocate $41,000 from the general fund 2011 transient guest tax program budget for the spillway project, which is expected to begin soon following council approval.
Urban Homestead revitalization grants approved
Some of St. Joseph’s historic neighborhoods will receive funding for clean-up projects after city council approved four $20,000 Urban Homestead Neighborhood Revitalization Grants on Monday. Grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Grants will go to:
Main Street St. Joseph for a clean-up project at the alley located at 717 Edmond St. (next to Missouri Theatre).
Harris Kemper Historic District for a clean-up project at 1719 Faraon St. (Harris Kemper butterfly garden)
Old Town North Neighborhood Association for a clean-up project within their boundaries.
Museum Hill Historic District for a clean-up project within their boundaries.
“We’re thrilled to be able to get this grant,” said Cyndee Dvorak, member of the Harris-Kemper Historic District.
Council OKs landfill ordinances
Council members unanimously approved two ordinances for equipment repairs and purchases at the St. Joseph Landfill, including $148,000 for repairs to one caterpillar 836K trash compactor.
The city will also purchase one undercarriage for a caterpillar D6T bulldozer for $24,009 and allocate $10,466 to provide additional funds for said purchase.
Other measures approved by city council
Resolution for purchase orders not to exceed $174,142 for the repair of multiple cave-in and undermined areas near 2921 Huntoon Road.
Funding agreement resolution with the Samaritan Counseling Center in the amount of $50,000 for mental health services.
Ordinance for real estate agreement with Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph to donate a vacant property located at 814 N. Fifth St.
