Court to consider funding for Desha Park improvements, Senior Citizens Center

Featured image: The site for the planned Independence County Senior Citizens Center on Elm Street in Batesville.

During the Independence County Quorum Court’s next meeting on June 12, justices will be presented with a resolution recommending an application for FUN Park grant funds through the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Those funds will be earmarked to improve the Desha public park.

To obtain such funding, the county must provide land, by lease or ownership, on which to develop park facilities. The Desha Park property was given to the Desha community by the Batesville School District. The county must also agree to sign a contract to provide the necessary resources to maintain the park and facilities for a period of 25 years. The park is currently maintained by the Desha Volunteer Fire Department, and no change is anticipated.

If the resolution is approved, it will authorize Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery to apply for funding for the improvements.

Jeffery will also present a recommendation from the county’s architect/engineering firm, Miller-Newell of Newport, to accept a bid from BMD Builders, LLC, of Beebe, Ark., for just under $3 million to build the Independence County Senior Citizens Center, which will be located on Elm Street behind the Batesville School District Administration Offices on Water Street.

If the court concurs with the recommendation, the county will proceed with contract signing and a pre-construction conference.

Funding for the project is being provided by county American Rescue Plan Act funds and a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Click here for more information on the new Independence County Senior Citizens Center plans.