Redevelopment Construction Begins
By: Donna Osborn, Headliner News 11/12/2003
OZARK--The vision for downtown Ozark's historic restoration has been paved with dreams for more than a decade. Now with the acquisition of a $300,000 federal matching grant to the Main Street Program for the first of three phases of physical work that was awarded earlier in the year and the announcement of a contractor, those dreams will soon come to fruition.
Hunter Chase and Associates will be the ones who will start building sidewalks and landscape inlets on two sides of the Ozark Square within approximately 30 days.
The $235,000 sidewalk improvement project is part of a larger $416,000 project that includes lighting, some landscaping and waterline improvements. The grant money is contingent to local property owners on the Square investing collectively $300,000. The city is investing the additional dollars.City Administrator Collin Quigley said the grant administrator Annette Darnell has the necessary commitments from the property owners. "We're able to draw on all the funds," he said. "But the grant won't be closed out until the $300,000 is reached." Quigley said constructing the new and larger waterline to serve downtown probably won't happen until next spring. The plans are awaiting approval from the Department of Natural Resources.
"As soon as we have the approval from DNR we will bid that out," Quigley said. "Once we bid it out it will be about 30 days before construction starts-weather permitting." Quigley said he was excited about the activity occurring in the city now. "It is exciting to see the businesses put a lot of work into the project," he said.
It is exciting for Mayor Donna McQuay who, in her second term as mayor, has been a vocal proponent for downtown revitalization.
"It means so much to me to see the heart of the city pumping again," she said. "Specialty shops are coming in and people are driving by just to see the changes. The excitement is contagious."
Main Street Program Director Robert Snook is taking the reigns of the organization that with the help of a tenacious board that has a firm grasp on the city's revitalization effort.
"When (my wife) and I moved here, we saw Ozark as having great potential," he said. "We thought that this (Main Street) was a great project to be involved in. Our community has the chance to be a showplace for Missouri."
Snook attributes much of that chance to the integrity of the buildings on the Ozark Square.
"We are so fortunate to have so many of the old buildings intact," he said. "Property owners can see an investment in those buildings." McQuay added that the visual theme for the historic look will play throughout the city and commends other entities for climbing aboard.
"MoDOT has accepted our theme and installed the lighting on the new bridge," she said. "The County Commissioners constructed the new jail and justice center with our theme in mind."
Once the first phase, which includes sidewalks, lighting, landscaping for part of the square and a new waterline, is complete, McQuay thinks the rest will come more easily.
"Once we finish the first phase we will be better situated to get started on the second phase," she said.
Cindy Treece, who has also been involved in the effort for many years, echoes the sentiments of Main Street board members.
"I am really excited to see the many hours of hard work finally come to fruition," she said. "And I want everyone to get along and pitch in. Everyone can pitch in by being part of he newly constructed sidewalks that will be paved with bricks that evoke a historic look. Those interested in preserving part of a personal history can purchase a brick paver with an inscription. For the first buyers, placement will be considered.
©Ozarks Newsstand 2004
