St. Joseph residents weigh in on Benton High School parking, new fire station

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph School District is requesting the City of St. Joseph to add 55 parking spaces along Southwest Parkway between Fleeman Street and Mason Road.

The request states the additional parking is needed to accommodate the increased number of students attending Benton High School as part of the district's redistricting process.

The ordinance has been on the city council agenda for the last two meetings but has been postponed.

During its last meeting, some council members expressed concerns about the parking and suggested looking into other options.

One resident in the area said Benton needs the additional parking.

"If they’re driving to school, they should have places to park their vehicles that are not on grass, said St. Joseph resident Tyler Hinds.

City Manager Mike Schumacher said the council will work with the school district on the parking project.

"I live not too far from Benton High School, and I have had kids park in front of my house, my driveway, so I do think it would be a benefit," said an anonymous St. Joseph resident.

The city will also be adding a new fire station at 303 E. Hyde Park Ave. The new station will replace the century-old facility currently located at 101 Illinois Ave.

The new station will feature several amenities designed to improve firefighter safety, training and general operations.

One resident said the new station in the area is needed.

"I think it’s really needed; it sounds like a good idea, and every once in a while we gotta upgrade," St. Joseph resident Ken Bavuso said.

One resident said they are worried about the parking.

"I think it’s gonna be a little congested with the school and the traffic, just my opinion," an anonymous St. Joseph resident said. "It will be nice to have a new station."

Crews plan to break ground at the new fire station on Tuesday afternoon.