May 9, 2020

Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net

The city council’s public works committee got a first look at the proposed capital improvement plan for 2021–2025.

The five-year CIP helps the city plan for public infrastructure updates and projects. It is formally adopted by the planning commission as part of the city’s comprehensive plan and is also adopted by the city council. The CIP is a fiscally constrained document – each of the projects listed includes a cost estimate and has funding sources identified – and it is updated annually.

The new CIP includes proposed funding totally nearly $326.4 million over five years. The existing CIP (fiscal years 2021–2024) totals about $276.2 million.

Mike Anderson, construction manager, said that while that number may seem like a big jump from the previous plan, it’s not a surprise, particularly given the massive $44.1 million intersection redevelopment project planned for Missouri 291 North and US 50 Highway.

The plan also includes new airport maintenance projects, replacement of Fire Station No. 4 and Fire Station No. 5, and a new signal and Ward and Persels Roads.

The committee didn’t take any formal action at their May 7 meeting.

The proposed plan will go to the planning commission for a public hearing on May 28. It is expected to be reviewed by the city council on June 9.

Public comments are being accepted on the city’s website until 5:00 p.m. on May 26. Visit www.cityofls.net to review the plan and submit a comment.