Monday, June 4, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Marks Start of Visionary Project; New Patrol Headquarters Results in $1 Million for Taxpayers
ST. LOUIS–Gov. Matt Blunt today marked the start of construction on the Highway Patrol's new Troop C Headquarters. The new state-of-the-art facility will improve efficiency, streamline operations and enhance public safety, while at the same time generating more than $1 million for Missouri taxpayers.
"This project is just one example of my efforts to implement savings and fiscal responsibility in state government," said Gov. Matt Blunt at the groundbreaking ceremony today. "By working with the Highway Patrol, partnering with MoDOT and recognizing potential savings, we have provided resources to replace a three decade old building with an up to date facility while at the same time securing significant revenue for Missouri taxpayers."
The patrol will move from their existing headquarters in Town & Country to the new location in Weldon Spring at the northeast corner of the Highway 40-94 interchange.
The move was made possible by recognizing the opportunity to sell an underutilized state resource and to better position the Troop C headquarters.
"The location of the property meets our regional logistics needs, and Troop C's new facility will unquestionably better support its efforts to serve and protect the citizens of east central Missouri," said Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The existing headquarters, on sixteen acres, provided far more land than the patrol needed. By selling the property and working with the Department of Transportation to utilize alternate state property for a new headquarters the state will be able to construct the new headquarters and still have a remaining balance, estimated at more than $1 million, from the land sale. The remaining balance has been returned to the state's highway fund.
The new facility is designed to meet current and future growth needs. The building will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and in addition to administrative offices and a communications center will house a memorial for fallen officers, an automotive service and storage area and an indoor shooting range.
The new headquarters will improve efficiency by centralizing the Troop functions and implementing the latest available technology. It is expected to open next spring.