Anti-drug arts program could fill aging buiding

Jackson County is interested in using a city-owned building at 315 N. Main St. in Independence for anti-drug and treatment education programs.
A cooperative agreement with Jackson County for the transfer of $175,000 to be used for the remediation of hazardous materials at the former junk-yard and auto dealership now awaits approval from the Independence City Council.
City Manager Robert Heacock said once the remediation is complete, the County will have the option of purchasing the building for $1. The city purchased the building with Community Development Block Grant funds in 1998.
“We bought the building with federal funds and thought of maybe putting a hotel on the (Independence) Square,” Heacock said. “The city went out a couple of times and talked with developers but could not make it happen.”
 In May 2007, the city posted a request for proposal for developers interested in redeveloping the building and the adjacent properties. Market Square Development was selected as developer and proposed an arts studio for the Jackson County MyArts program.
The MyArts program is an anti-drug program developed to help youth find alternate ways to express themselves through the arts. The program offers at-risk youth, who demonstrate an interest in the arts, an opportunity to work as paid staff under the mentorship and tutelage of trained, professional artists.
The council earlier this week heard a  first reading of an ordinance that would approve the transfer of $175,000 from Jackson County’s anti-drug sales tax fund to the city’s general fund. The council is expected to vote on the ordinance July 20.