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"The mission of the organization is to preserve historic
Buehler Park in accordance with the letter and spirit of the 1958 warranty deed (pdf) by which the Rolla Chamber of Commerce donated the land to the City of Rolla "for Park purposes only and none other" with the time frame specified as "FOREVER." (Established February 3, 2005)
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Citizens still dog Rolla over proposed park sale
by Sara Sheffield, KY3 News
September 26, 2006
Link to story on the KY3 News Page - Video Included
ROLLA, Mo. -- A Phelps County judge says a group of citizens can go forward with a lawsuit against the city of Rolla. The group has fought a 10-year battle to try to stop town leaders from selling Buehler Park. A second court ruling, however, allows the city to put the property on the market.
Buehler Park is in one of the most visible areas in Rolla: right off of I-44 at Kingshighway. Opponents of selling the park say putting anything else there would not only create an eyesore but also uproot a lifetime bond.
Right in the middle of Rolla's hustle and bustle is a small green space that's been quite the popular attraction for nearly half a century.
"This is beauty right here, God's beauty right here," said Dennis Springerley.
Springerley says this is perfect real estate for a sit-down lunch or a walk with your pet. The Rolla Chamber of Commerce donated this land in 1957 to become Buehler Park, and the deed says it should stay that way forever.
"I think it'd be a shame to tear it down," said Springerley.
In 1997, the chamber turned over the land to the city and City Hall saw green of another kind.
"It's economic opportunity. We've got lots of park land in the community,” said City Administrator John Butz. “We can do things with the sale of that park to improve other park amenities."
Butz says the sale of the 3.2 acres would bring a $1 million profit, which is already earmarked to go solely toward developing and purchasing new parks. With I-44 nearby and Kingshighway, one of Rolla's main drags, some citizens say the only reason they want to keep this park is because of its prime location.
"We come here a lot for convenience,” said David Holmes.
“It's close to where he works and it's easy to get to,” said Kim Holmes, his wife.
It’s an easy walk from a booming business area. Some call it the only place to get some peace and quiet and relive old-time memories.
"I've heard stories of it being an emotional attachment, like they were proposed to here or something like that,” said Kim Holmes.
"It'd be a terrible loss to the community. I think it should stay like it is,” said Springerley.
The legal reason that citizens have standing in this case and can fight it is because the city used taxpayer dollars to advertise the land for sale, which puts citizens in a position to fight.
Butz says, if the city prevails, some restaurants that want to be on the land are Ruby Tuesday's, Rib Crib, Lyon's Choice and others. The proposed contract specifies that there has to be a sit-down dinner establishment on that property.
Rolla city leaders expect the citizens group to appeal the court's second decision. The issue would likely go back in front of the judge. It could take another four to six months for the court to rule.
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