The Independence City Commission approves the purchase of the former FedEx facility for use as a unified Public Works facility.

 

The move came at Thursday's meeting, where commissioners unanimously approved $1.7 million to obtain the 23,000 square foot facility. City Manager Kelly Passauer says the purchase will allow the City to address aging infrastructure issues.

 

The property will enable the City to consolidate three departments: Water Distribution/Sewer Collection, Street, and Sanitation. City Engineer John Garris says the acquisition has many benefits without increasing the burden on Independence taxpayers.

 

[Garris told the commission that the $1.7 million price tag will cost the city much less than new construction. Commissioners Tim Emert and Dean Hayse agreed that the move is a good deal for the City.

 

The sale is expected to close in late August. In other business, commissioners heard an update from April Nutt on housing improvements across the city and from Police Chief Dustin Stafford on I-P-D's move to assume dispatching duties fro the Cherryvale Police Department.