Blue Springs, Mo. – Construction on the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building Renovation and Expansion Project will begin, weather pending, on March 27 with the removal of the downtown water tower.
“Due to the expansion and renovation construction project, many city functions will be temporarily moved during construction,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “This allows us to reduce the overall cost of the project and speed up the construction process.”
Police Administration, Community & Youth Outreach Unit, Staff Services and Operations Bureau staff are moving to their temporary office spaces this week. Additional Police functions will move the week of March 16-22 and the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building will be vacated by March 26.
“One of our highest project priorities was that police and city services not be impacted as a result of the construction schedule,” said City Administrator Eric Johnson. “It is no easy task to vacate an entire city building and maintain essential city functions; I would like to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication on this complex project.”
Project Details:
Downtown Water Tower – On March 27-28, portions of SW Smith & SW 11th Street will be closed as a result of the removal of the downtown water tower.
Police Services – The Community & Youth Outreach Unit has moved to the Paul Consiglio Education Center, 1504 NW Jefferson Street, Blue Springs, Mo. Police Department staff will be located in offices at City Hall and the GE Building located at 321 AA Highway. To locate specific police services, residents are asked to call the non-emergency dispatch phone number (816) 228-0151. If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911.
Municipal Court, Court Clerk and Records Unit – Municipal Court, Court Clerk and Records Unit will be closed to the public beginning March 24 and will reopen in their new location at the Municipal Annex, 1304 W Main Street, Blue Springs, Mo. on March 27.
Public Meetings – City Council, Planning Commission and other public meetings will be moved to the Municipal Annex, 1304 W Main Street, Blue Springs, Mo. The first City Council meeting at the Municipal Annex will be on April 7 and the first Planning Commission meeting will be April 14. As a result of this relocation, City Council and Planning Commissions will not be live broadcast, but an audio recording of the meetings will be posted to the City’s Web site.
KCATA #170-Blue Springs Express – Beginning March 26, the 11th & Smith stop of the #170-Blue Springs Express will no longer be available. KCATA commuters are asked to use alternative stops including White Oak Plaza, the North Ridge Park & Ride and the Woods Chapel Road Park & Ride locations. For more information, visit www.kcata.org.
Blue Springs Farmers Market – Beginning May 1, the Blue Springs Farmers Market will be located in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, 1405 W. Main Street during construction of the City’s expanded public parking lot.
The approximately $22 million renovation and expansion project is expected to be completed Summer 2015. Once complete, the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building will have nearly 72,000 square feet and will feature a more customer service-oriented design to better serve residents and officers. This project was made possible by the voter-approved Public Safety Sales Tax.
“During the construction process, our officers will be providing the same excellent services our residents have come to expect,” said Chief Wayne McCoy. “We appreciate your patience as we work to improve our facilities to better serve the community.”
Public Safety Sales Tax
In April 2011, voters passed the 1/2 cent dedicated Public Safety Sales Tax to address needs found in the Public Safety Citizen's Advisory Board analysis. Revenues produced from the public safety sales tax will only be used for public safety purposes. The Public Safety Advisory Board, made up of Blue Springs citizens, is charged with oversight of the tax. The Advisory Board makes regularly scheduled reports to the City Council on spending of funds collected by the tax and report on performance goals.
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