Location for reduced port

Although still in the early stages of the process, the North Heartland Port Authority site has emerged as the favorite for the port location, based on reports from contractors.

A critical problem analysis conducted by Barr Engineering and a basic design memorandum created by Hanson Professional Services Inc. were presented to the Heartland Port Authority Commission on Thursday.

The commission identified three locations for potential developments: the south site, the north site one and the north site two.

Craig Bunger, senior civil engineer at Barr Engineering, said North Site One currently appears to be the best location because it has existing infrastructure and fewer barriers to obtaining permits than the other sites.

North Site One spans approximately 22 acres north of the Missouri River and is currently owned by OCCI Inc. It is accessible from Highway 94.

The site has an existing storage area, wharf, unpaved access road and equipment that can be used for loading and unloading barges, the Barr Engineering report says, which could lead to lower development costs.

“From a qualitative point of view, and probably also quantitative, depending on the progress of the project, I would say that there are advantages to having this infrastructure already in place,” Bunger told the panel. .

North Site One is located in unincorporated Callaway County, so zoning constraints would not apply, Bunger said.

The critical issue with North Site One is that it is located in a diversion channel, which could impact infill and permanent structures.

Ty Morris, vice president and senior geological engineer at Barr Engineering, said it was still early in the process, so development plans could change.

“The thing to remember here is that this is a marathon, not a 100-meter sprint,” Morris said. “Right now, based on the information we have… right now, I think North Site One is leading, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to win, but it looks good. It looks better based on the information we have today.

The southern site, approximately 118 acres south of the Missouri River and accessible from No More Victims Road, is primarily located in a flood-prone area, but may be subject to wetlands and cultural resources affecting the requirements of permit and use of the site.

North Site 2, about three acres north of the Missouri River and directly east of Capital Sands, is located in a diversion channel and is smaller than the other two sites, but the existing infrastructure on neighboring property can be useful.

“There are certainly advantages and detractors for each of the sites, but the existing infrastructure of the north one site is quite desirable, I think, compared to the south site in particular,” Bunger said.

According to the basic design memorandum provided by Greg Kelahan, harbor and harbor engineer at Hanson, the port would consider a phased development approach, with the first phase of the north site costing around $ 3.9 million.

The Basic Design Memorandum is a document summarizing the rationale behind the design of the port construction concept.

Port concepts are geared towards agricultural bulk transport from Jefferson City, as this is what the market indicates to be the primary driver of traffic to the port.

Kelahan said the first phase of the north site would be to enter into an agreement with OCCI Inc., to develop a new small-scale bulk agricultural product transshipment facility to allow direct truck-to-barge loading, but not storage. on site, and to buy an excavator and crane.

Phase 2 of the north site, totaling an additional $ 3.1 million, would include the expansion of the site’s existing wharf for increased capacity.

Bunger said the final reports, totaling more than 150 pages, will be available for the commission in a week or two.

These reports are needed to begin the process of drafting grant applications due by the end of the year, said Roger Fischer, president of the Heartland Port Authority.

Fischer said he was satisfied with the reports and research produced by contractors so far and hopes to have better guidance on where the port will be located in October.

The Port Authority Commission also approved an administrative agreement for professional services with the Jefferson City New Regional Economic Partnership, which was formed out of the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce, at Thursday’s meeting.