West Memphis breaks ground on new buildings

City continues ‘winning streak’ with multimillion- dollar construction projects

news@theeveningtimes.com

The City of West Memphis broke ground on not one, but two buildings on Tuesday.

The new municipal construction projects represent the first new city government buildings since 1974.

A new fire station and police sub-station facing East Broadway at South Loop across from West Memphis landmark Pancho’s, and a new District Court House located in the backyard of City Hall will both be built by Core Construction and completed in just over a year.

Police officers, fire fighters and district court staff watched on as city leaders and project developer The P3 Group turned the dirt with ceremonial golden shovels and heard Mayor Marco McClendon declare the winning streak for the city continues.

“This is our first step to the revitalization of the east end of Broadway, our gateway,” said McClendon. “It is full of potential and promise for the great things happening here in West Memphis. With all the new investment and economic growth and construction, West Memphis’s best is yet to come.”

Dee Brown, P3 Group CEO, said the new building projects with his company displayed a strong statement to private developers and prospective new businesses.

“When the city steps forward and shows the community and businesses that they are willing to re-invest in the community, it only attracts more investment,” said Brown. “I can tell you, this administration and city council walked this through the last 117 days. I am just happy to be part of this winning streak.”

The mayor recapped paying for the builds. The contract between the city and The P3 Group calls for payments to begin when the keys to each building are handed over. A total of two new fire stations, one police substation and the new district courthouse were estimated at $20 million to build, and monthly payments are to be made from the expected increased tax revenue on live casino games at Southland. “The P3 Group funds it first and we pay them later — you can’t beat that deal,” said McClendon. The police chief and fire chief spoke about having a new location on East Broadway.

“It’s great to be a part of the winning streak we are on with the new police substation,” said Police Chief Eddie West. “We are most happy to bring police officers to this part of the city as well.”

“Thirty years ago, when I started, they were talking about a new fire station,” said Fire Chief Dennis Brewer. “Now, on my second time around, we actually are building a new fire station. Things are looking up. We truly are on a winning streak as my guys deserve a new station. Imagine the statement we will make with this station as people come into this gateway of our city.”

Judge Fred Thorne said the era of the District Courthouse at the O.I.

Bollinger building had outlasted its usefulness and took pleasure in breaking ground on the new courthouse west of city hall.

“This is a glorious day for the city of West Memphis,” said Thorne. “I remember going to the building we now call the court in the 1960’s. I understand it was built in 1931, but it has met its time. I’m excited with the new administration. I had wondered if it would ever be built. We were tired of moving the rain buckets around the courthouse. It’s a big day, thanks to the mayor and city council.”