State of the City Well-Attended - City of Lake Ozark

City of Lake Ozark Awarded $300,000 Community Development Block Grant for Demolition Project: Lake Ozark, MO — The City of Lake Ozark has been named the recipient of a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to support a $433,030 building demolition project focused on improving safety and redevelopment opportunities in the Bagnell Dam Strip area. The remaining $133,030 required to complete the project will be provided to the City by the property owner, Reese Development. As a result of the grant award, 23 structures on and around the historic Bagnell Dam Strip will be demolished. All properties included in the project are owned by Reese Development. Among the structures slated for demolition is the former Shoreland Motel located on the Bagnell Dam Strip. Additional buildings included in the project consist of a series of residential and commercial structures located along Carls Drive, Ballenger Road, Thornsberry Road, Beach Drive, and School Road. These structures were determined eligible for CDBG funding due to their advanced state of blight and lack of structural safety, in accordance with adopted building codes. Several of the buildings contain asbestos and other environmental contaminants, and all have been formally certified by the City as dangerous buildings. Buildings were prioritized based on safety concerns, structural deterioration, and overall risk to the public. To qualify for the grant, each structure was required to have been vacant for an extended period of time. Demolition work associated with this project is expected to commence in 2026. “We are proud to partner with the City of Lake Ozark and the Missouri Department of Economic Development to continue the momentum of the last two years on the historic Bagnell Dam Strip,” stated Peter Colovos, Chief Operating Officer of Reese Development. “Brick by brick and block by block we are committed to redeveloping this jewel of the Midwest,” he added. Reese Development has invested more than $600,000 over the last two years in cleaning up the Strip and demolishing dilapidated structures. City Administrator Harrison Fry expressed appreciation for the state’s support:“We are grateful to the State of Missouri for recognizing the opportunity to breathe new life into the Bagnell Dam Strip corridor. This project begins by removing long-standing, dilapidated structures so that safe, meaningful redevelopment can move forward. I would also like to thank Reese Development for their cooperation and commitment to property revitalization, as well as grant writer Tonya Raines for preparing a successful application that made this project possible.” For more information, please contact the City of Lake Ozark.

Posted on January 30, 2024, Edited January 30, 2024 by harrison

State of the City Well-Attended

Over 40 Lake Ozark residents, business owners, and other stakeholders attended or tuned in via Zoom for the inaugural State of the City event held on January 23rd in the Council Chambers at Lake Ozark City Hall.

Throughout the 45-minute presentation, both Mayor Newberry and City Administrator Fry highlighted progress made within the City over the course of 2023 and identified goals that will be accomplished throughout 2024 as well.

“We’ve talked quite a bit today about the state of the city as a business and some of the directions we are moving; I hope everyone can see that the state of the city in this regard is very positive. That said, the City is here to do more than repair roads and be a good steward of tax dollars. We’re here to be represent you and to be your government. This is not a City trying to deny people of information, their voice, or the chance to participate. Whether those opinions support or are opposed to my beliefs or the opinions of the Board, we will never have the chance to do our job the right way until you do yours the same.”, said Mayor Newberry. “I want you to have every opportunity to know this is your government, and know that that is now in place. As a resident who spent many years not having faith or trust in Lake Ozark’s present or future, I’m proud to say that we now have a city I believe in.”

During the presentation, a review of new community investments, infrastructure projects, and the financial and policy direction of the City were discussed.

Those who were unable to attend the event can view presentation materials at this link.

It is anticipated that the event will return annually in the future.