V Hugh Lewis II
Jefferson Jimplecute
The railroad crossings on N. Alley Street are about to get a lot easier to cross, according to Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker.
“I’ve gotten a firm commitment from Union Pacific to come and asphalt over five of the crossing by the end of September,” Baker told Council last week.
There are nine rail lines crossing N Alley, only three of which are regularly active. Eight are owned and maintained by UP, and one by Kansas City Southern (now Canadian Pacific Kansas City).
Baker said they will be taking up the wood crossties and asphalting over the rails, leaving them in place.
“I’m still working with KCS,” he said. “They say the crossing meets their standards but we’re still working on what to do to improve it.”
Former Jefferson Mayor Ruel Young was the last Mayor to get the railroads to work on those crossings back in 1986, according to Ward 1 Alderman Bubba Haggard. “He did that by calling the president of UP.”
In other City needs matters, the issue with City Hall may be starting to see a light at the end of tunnel.
Jefferson ISD is planning on closing the Primary School campus at the end of this school year and consolidating those classes back to the Elementary campus, according to Baker.
JISD Superintended Michael Walker supplied the Jimplecute with a written statement which was received after press time, and was not included in the printed version:
“JISD is in the earliest stages of exploring the possibility of consolidating to three campuses beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. We can easily accommodate our current students and have room for growth operating three campuses. Consolidation would create a very significant savings for JISD. These savings could be used to create new opportunities for students and for capital improvements. The community entrusts the school district with the public dollars they provide and JISD strives to ensure dollars are spent in a way that is most beneficial for students.
“As JISD considers the possibility of consolidation, it is priority that the facility be utilized in some way and that the historical significance of the site be expressed and preserved. JISD has reached out to the city and the county in hopes of mutually beneficial partnerships that will benefit our community, our youth, and our seniors. With the buildings and space the facility provides, there is great potential and many possibilities. Anyone with questions/concerns/input please contact JISD Superintendent, Michael Walker, at 903-665-2461 ext. 3500 or by email at mfwalker@jeffersonisd.org. “
As a result the district has offered for the City and County to use the Primary School campus.
“We’re at bookends,” said Baker. “We stay in the transportation center on one end, and build new on the other. There are lots of options in between.”
Baker pointed out that there are few, if any, grants available to municipalities to build any type of building. He also said the City is pretty “debt loaded, so we’re not really in a position to take on more debt.”
Baker said there are lots of options at the old Central School campus including space for storage, city offices, and meeting rooms.
“When taking into account the list of complaints about this building that have been submitted by staff, all 10 are virtually fixed by going to [the primary] campus,” Baker said. “What’s on the table is that it stays an ISD owned building. We do an interlocal agreement with them. It has large classrooms, private and public bathrooms, an air conditioned auditorium, a cafeteria.”
Baker said there is also the possibility of using part of the facility as a community center and spending the $18-20,000 currently given to the Marion County Community Center on Haywood street. “There’s a playground, a greenbelt in back that we could look at further developing for summer programs. It’s an awful lot to swallow, but a unique and good opportunity.”
Marion County Judge Leward laFleur said the County was still exploring options on how they might be able to use part of the facilities but no decision has been made yet.
In any case, a decision must be made by the end of August so the School District has the opportunity to start marketing the property to other industries.
“This is not a permanent solution,” Baker said. “It’s going to take a number of years to figure out how and where to pay for a new city hall.”
Some Aldermen expressed support for the possibility.
“I think it’s an excellent solution to a temporary or long term solution,” said Ward 2 Alderman Ray Hengst.
“I understand the city’s need, but we also need to look at the needs of the city for that school,” said Ward 2 Alderman Will Thomas. “It started out as central high school. There are a lot of people who live in Ward 2 who look at central high as an historic place. The first state championship Jefferson had came through that school. I think we should, if we decide to do this, to make sure we take care of that school that way, use the memorabilia as a museum, and see what the significance of that school is to the city. The City plan should be a short term plan and work together to make sure the school gets the respect it so long deserved. So much history there we need to preserve.”
“This is a stepping stone to someplace else. It’ll take us a couple of years,” said Baker.