State, mayor meet about Philips tract

Story ran on Tuesday, July 03 2001

City manager Ray Beck and mayor Darwin Hindman met with Missouri Department of Conservation director Jerry Conley yesterday to discuss the future of the Philips tract in southeast Columbia.

"We are exploring what possible uses are compatible," Beck said. "Who might be partners in this and what route the property might go."

Hindman said the conservation department raised the possibility of erecting buildings on the land and managing the lake. "They have some interest in at least part of the property," he said.

The big question is where the funds would come from to acquire and develop the land. Hindman said the conservation department didn’t discuss funding sources with them, but that would have to be addressed if they were to go forward.

Beck said the owner’s representative is aware the city is having talks with public agencies about acquiring the land.

If public ownership is pursued, Beck said, there are three issues that will have to be addressed: the road-access situation, the wastewater situation and the land’s status as a sensitive watershed.

Beck said the owners are concerned with what they can get out of the land. "The whole goal is to see if something could be packaged down there," he said. These issues will have to be addressed no matter who eventually develops the land, Beck said.

Hindman said there are no more meetings scheduled, but the city probably will talk to other agencies and interested groups soon.

"Anyone interested in participating should be included," he said. "We definitely have the idea of talking to others. This potentially could work out, especially if it’s some form of partnership."