Baker Geist

News Reporter

 

Mesa State College officials have gone back to the drawing board after plans for the Social and Behavioral Science department’s Outdoor Forensic Anthropology Research Facility came to a halt. Community objected to the facility being too close to their residential neighborhood.

The facility also known as a body farm will be only the fifth in the United States. The temporary location for the facility was proposed for 29 and D Road but public outcry has the college searching for a new location. 

According to Mesa State Media Relations Spokeswoman Dana Nunn, residents on 29 and D Road were concerned about the body farm lowering property values, creating unpleasant odors, and attracting bugs and wildlife. She also said the college should’ve discussed the issues of residents before beginning to build. 

“We could’ve handled it better,” Nunn said. “We should’ve been out-front in reaching out to neighbors before the fence went up. The thinking was we did not want to advertise the location for fear of vandalism and pranks. That was the reason for doing it quietly.” 

Shortly after a fence went up at the location of facility, residents reacted and wondered why there had been no word from the college.

Ray Lashley was one concerned Grand Junction resident. Lashley, who lives and raises horses on C 1/2 road, a half mile away from the construction, said he was familiar with the effect of decomposition. He questioned what effect decomposition at a body farm would have on property values and why the college had been so quiet about its location.

To raise awareness Lashley held a meeting with 18 to 20 residents in February. By the end of the meeting, Lashley said the other residents had similar concerns.

“(The residents) know that the body farm will effect their own personal wealth,” Lashley said.

According to Derek Wagner, director of special projects and analysis said MSC President Tim Foster reacted quickly and sent out letters to 300 residents surrounding 29 and D Road asking them to voice concerns. 

“The letter generated phone calls, emails and many personal visits with neighbors in the area. After listening to the residents, President Foster sent out a follow-up letter to the same residents March 10 notifying them that we would be taking down the temporary location,” Wagner said in an email. 

“Mr. Tim Foster was very understanding of the situation,” Lashley said. “I think Mr. Foster is a fine man.”

While there has been debate over where the facility should be built, both Nunn and Lashley understand the educational benefit of having such a facility. Nunn said having a research lab in Grand Junction will help students understand what happens to dead bodies in an arid climate. Currently, the other four facilities—at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Western Carolina University, Texas State University and Sam Houston State University— are all in humid climates.

Lashley said the educational benefits are great, and the property value issue is the only objection to the body farm.

“That is our only and major concern,” he said. “There are no hard feelings.” 

Finding the right area is the next step.

College officials are confident they will have the permanent research facility built by next fall. According to Nunn, the next site will be at least one mile away from any houses and Wagner expects the facility to take up a half of an acre of land.

“We’ve received numerous calls and emails from members of the community with ideas about where we could relocate the center. We’re in the process of analyzing each of the sites that have been suggested to make sure they meet our research needs and the needs of the community,” Wagner said.

He also said that prior to building at a new location steps would be taken to ensure members of the community are better informed.

“We learned from our previous experience and before selecting a permanent location we will thoughtfully engage neighbors and members of the community to answer questions, solicit advice, and ultimately find a location that meets our research needs and our community’s needs,” Wagner said.

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bgeist@mesastate.edu