The First Capitol News has learned that the former Bally’s Fitness Building on First Capitol Drive just south of Interstate 70 is under consideration by some City officials as a possible City civic center. The building is unoccupied and we are told has a running track, swimming pool and locker rooms. We learned that the Mayor and Councilman Kneemiller recently toured the building with Gerry Prinster of the Delta Group. Prinster was the purchaser of the former St. Charles Police Headquarters on West Clay. The building was sold under the direction of former City Administrator Jim O’Connor and Mayor York for less than the appraised value and less than the highest offer. Proper bidding procedures were not followed and the sale was not publicized. Mayor York then called a special meeting of the City Council to have the sale approved before residents could move to stop the sale. Councilmen John Gieseke, Bob Hoepfner and Rory Riddler voted against the sale. Councilmen Larry Muench and Bob Kneemiller voted for the sale. The other members of the current City Council were not on the Council at the time. The sale was highly criticized by State Auditor Claire McCaskill during her audit of the City last year.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Board also toured the Bally facilities. Councilman Mark Brown, in whose ward the building is located, said he was not invited to tour the building but had heard rumors that it was being considered with a purchase price of $1.8 million or a lease price of approximately $260,000 a year. Brown told the FCN that Councilman Riddler is proposing a Civic center to be built on Fifth Street near Blanchette Park and that is expected to be on the ballot in November. Brown said he needs more information before making a decision but said, “It would be nice to have such a facility south of Hwy 70, a area that some members of the administration seem to neglect.
First Capitol News Photograph by Tony Brockmeyer
