Photo by Todd Weddle / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Traffic bustles along U.S. Highway 169 South at the Interstate 29 intersection Monday afternoon.

St. Joseph’s original industrial park is ready for some upgrades.

Decaying streets with huge potholes have led some businesses to consider forming a neighborhood improvement district. The district would work with the city and county to repair Leonard Road, Easton Road and Whitaker Road.

“They’re all but shot and need to be replaced,” said Dan Hausman, Buchanan County’s Eastern District commissioner.

The congested intersection at U.S. Highway 169 South and Interstate 29 is being targeted by the Missouri Department of Transportation. That project, however, is not likely to receive funding for several years.

The city of St. Joseph already has begun rebuilding the north section of 48th Terrace on the east side of the industrial park.

Businesses in the area were surprised to learn their property taxes don’t go toward road improvements, said Cyndra Lorey, executive director of business relations and development for the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce. She and Steve Louk, president of Cleform Tools and a leader of a group of East Side businesses, met with the County Commission Monday morning to discuss the potential neighborhood improvement district.

Most of the companies are established businesses with many employees who have used few tax credits, Ms. Lorey said. Mr. Hausman noted that the tax base in the area is very high.

The businesses are interested in the district, but want to know the costs, Mr. Louk said. Early estimates for an asphalt overlay are about $2 million, he said. The neighborhood improvement is a voluntary taxing district and the city and county will be asked to contribute to the fund, as well.

“Somebody has to take a long look and get the big picture,” Mr. Louk said.

He noted that traffic on Easton Road has picked up in the past few years, in part because drivers are avoiding Highway 169. Love’s Travel Stop has increased truck traffic at the interchange. Menards, Harley-Davidson and new restaurants on the west side of Interstate 29 have added to congestion on Highway 169 and State Route A.

“Growth is a good thing,” Mr. Louk said.

More growth may be happening. A company has purchased the former IEM building in the business park to convert to a warehouse, Ms. Lorey said. IVX Animal Health is nearing completion of its renovation and expanding capacity.

Another East Side intersection that needs to be considered for upgrades is U.S. Highway 36 and Riverside Road, Mr. Hausman said.

“That’s where our businesses are and we need to support them,” he said.

Ms. Lorey said she would gather more information about the costs of street improvements in the business park, then leaders from businesses, city and county will meet together.

Business editor Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.