City Considers Options For Developing More Housing

By ERIC X. VICCARO

eviccaro@stegenherald.com

Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen had a special work session after its regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 8.

The main topic was to determine board of aldermen goals and objectives regarding future development in the city.

In addition, there was a closed session when aldermen discussed city administrator Happy Welch’s six-month performance review. The open discussion portion of the meeting lasted 43 minutes.

There was a time when the city was considering expansion of Basler Road and Parkwood Drive.

This is a mixed use area, with roughly 60 percent commercial and 40 percent residential.  The area features Tractor Supply, Pointe Basse Medical Clinic and civic buildings used by the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department and the ambulance district — among others.

“It’s an interesting project,” Welch said. “I needed to see what happened in the past, and see if the current board is interested in expansion.”

The board discussed the possibility of connecting these roads with Progress Parkway — site of the county community center, River Rapids Waterpark, Challenger ball field and more.

Mayor Paul Hassler noted the city has land available, with Welch reporting the area covers roughly 70 acres.

Additionally, there had been maps drawn previously with connector roads to Progress Parkway, which were shown during the work session.

Several alderman expressed it’s a “good project” and there’s a “compelling case” for adding rooftops in this area.

Hassler said developing the area could turn into a joint project along with county and Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce’s Industrial Development Corporation.