City Manager Finds New Option for Old Animal Shelter Problem

An evaluation of Sallisaw's old animal shelter has determined "...it is not economically feasible to repair this structure and bring it up to meet the current building code." The evaluation was done by Jason R. Myers, PE, of Myers--Beatty Engineering of Fayetteville, at the request of City Manager Clayton Lucas.

The old shelter, and a proposed new shelter, have been controversial issues for some time. Residents in the area of the new proposed shelter, on Eppler Drive, are opposed to having the new shelter so close to their homes. The cost of a new shelter facility also concerned city commissioners, who said the city does not have sufficient funds to construct the new facility as originally planned. The city called twice for bids on the building, and the low bids were all higher than expected.

Lucas called for a more in-depth evaluation of the old building last month.

Myers reported that the old shelter building "...is NOT in imminent danger of falling down." However, he added that the building has serious roofing problems, because the concrete roof has deteriorated to the point where it is not feasible to be repaired.

Myers added that the building, constructed in the 1920s, most likely does not meet present-day city code requirements. To bring it up to code would require structural, mechanical and electrical engineers and an architect.

Based on his evaluation, Myers reported, "...it is not economically feasible to renovate this facility and bring it up to current code. It wouldn't even be close."

Lucas didn't stop there in his hunt for a solution. In the past it was reported that the property where the old animal shelter is located was in the flood plain and not an appropriate site for a new shelter. However, it was found that the entire property is not in the flood plain, Lucas said. And that opens the door for more options.

Lucas said he will submit three options to city commissioners at their meeting on Nov. 9.

He said one option will be to construct a new basic building, to be formatted as a shelter, for $60,000. That amount could build a 40 by 60 or 30 by 70 building. The second and third options would be to build on the new site, on Eppler Drive or at the old site on Houser Street. The Houser Street property has four acres, and the part of the property not in the flood plain is on the west side of the property. The Eppler Drive property has five acres.

"It will take some dirt work at the old site," Lucas said this week, "and we'll have to clear some brush and trees, but it is an option."

At present, use of the old animal shelter has ceased due to the deteriorating roof, and animals are now being housed in a temporary shelter in the barn at the new site on Eppler Drive.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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