Bethany City Council Votes Not To Proceed With Depot Relocation

Bethany’s Board of Aldermen voted against spending the money necessary to move the Bethany Depot and develop a site from its current location to land that is on the north side of the Israel track property which has been purchased by the city. Bethany’s Board of Aldermen made the decision during a meeting on Monday night. Council members stated that they had received some limited feedback on the plan, but that feedback suggested that money that would be used for the relocation could be used for a better purpose. The council and mayor had sought as much public feedback as possible due to the cost that would have been involved with the project. There were two bidders interested in performing the physical move of the building.

Bethany Mayor Lance Johns was not involved in the Council vote due to his position as mayor but did say that feedback he had received had been decisively in favor of the move. Council members are behind moving forward to put a multipurpose center at the Israel land site. City Administrator Jacob Taylor suggested to the council to at least place design plans for a multipurpose center in the budget for the upcoming year for consideration.

Administrator Taylor also announced that the city’s application for Missouri Main Street Connection Program has been sent out. A presentation will be made before the Missouri Main Street Connect Team later this week.

Bethany’s Parks and Recreations Department has received $4,000 in grant funding from the health department for ADA compliant swings and picnic tables and rubber flooring for the swings. Harrison County Community Hospital has given over $10,000 for concrete and dirt work for the same project. The Fitzgerald Foundation has also pledged money to construct a new snack stand and bathroom facility at Babe Adams Field. There are currently bids out for that plans for that project.

The highway lighting project on Interstate 35 has been approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Materials are being gathered at this time.

The city also has received notice that some funding could be coming from the national infrastructure bill or airport upgrades. State Representative Jay Eggleston has stated that Bethany’s airport would likely qualify if funds become available. The city would be interested in providing a 2-inch overlay for the runway and taxiways.

Bethany City Hall will be closed on Friday between noon and 2pm for an employee picnic.

Bethany’s Council approved a Suicide Prevention Awareness Week resolution. They also approved Cinda Carter for the Bethany Library Board.