Less than two years after purchasing 40 acres on Thomasville Road, the City of Houston is now evaluating three alternative locations for a proposed recreation quadplex.
City council members approved Monday hiring Archer-Elgin Engineering of Rolla to complete conceptual site civil engineering services for the three sites. The firm, which previously conducted topographic surveys on the properties, will compare the financial feasibility of bringing each to grade for construction. The work, expected to be finished within 60 days, will cost $5,980.
“This is the next step moving forward toward construction.”
Sam Kelley, mayor
“I think it has to be done,” added Ward I Alderman Adam Vandiver. “If we’re planning on this big of a construction project, it has to be done.”
The goal, Kelley said, is to determine whether one of the other properties could offer long-term savings or greater potential for community partnerships.
The city purchased the original 40-acre parcel for $440,000 from the Evans family in December 2023, using proceeds from a one-cent sales tax passed by voters in 2019 to support public safety and parks development. Half of that tax revenue was earmarked for parks, with a central objective from the beginning: construction of a baseball and softball quadplex.
In early 2024, a proposal from Turf Solutions Group — a national firm based in East Peoria, Illinois, that specializes in recreational facilities — estimated about $13.7 million in initial construction costs for the complex. Maintenance costs over 20 years were projected at $7.7 million, while estimated income from tournaments, field rentals, concessions and other uses could total $14.4 million over the same period, or about $720,000 annually.
According to Economic Developer Travis Witzemann, who conducted the city’s financial study, that forecast could improve through site selection, strategic partnerships, cost reductions and revenue enhancements.
In addition to the quadplex, officials said the study may consider the possibility of incorporating a recreation center into the design — either now or in the future.
Since the tax was approved, the project has experienced turnover in leadership, with multiple parks directors, administrators and economic developers shaping its direction. Preliminary steps have included site studies by Archer-Elgin and discussions with Mid-State Pipeline about project management. The company recently completed a $4 million sports complex in Belle that features multiple ball fields, an indoor infield, basketball courts, a gym and more.
Potential funding sources for Houston’s project include about $1.4 million in fiber program sale proceeds and roughly $80,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which must be spent by the end of 2025.
MONDAY COUNCIL MEETING
- Hi-Lite Airfield Services of New York was the lone bid for restriping of the taxiway and runway at Houston Memorial Airport. The $180,587.55 bid – of which 95% is covered by Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) – was approved.
- Bills pertaining to penalties for harboring nuisance animals and impoundment procedures had final readings. Animals are spayed/neutered before having their ear notched for tracking and then being released in the general vicinity where they were picked up. Police seek animal owners for five days after an animal is picked up before the animal is sent to a no-kill shelter. In the case of euthanasia, it is the determination of a veterinarian if the animal is in poor health or is a public danger.
- A $20,000 bid from Toth and Associates of Springfield was approved for a utility rate study. The study, which takes about four months, will help the city determine utility rates.
- Witzemann was appointed to the planning and zoning committee.
- A certificate of deposit (CD) at Simmons Bank valued at about $112,000 will be moved to West Plains Bank on a 12-month, 4.2% interest rate term.
- A $7,350 renewal for Placer.ai, a consumer traffic insights application utilized by Witzemann, was approved. The renewal is $350 over the budgeted amount.
- A $7,950 bid from Chipspreaders.com for a chip spreader used on the back of a dump truck for chip sealing was approved.
- Lloyd Wells, city administrator, will provide language at the council’s next meeting to allow employees to use sick time in their first six months of employment. The council was in favor of doing the same for vacation time.
- The mayor will send a letter to a property owner concerning potholes affecting a local business.
- Several departments were thanked for their support of the city’s Independence Day fireworks show. Houston House was recognized for its $1,000 donation to the show.
The meeting adjourned into closed session at 6:37 p.m.