“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
Fall is a perfect time for us to reflect on the things we have accomplished over a very busy and productive summer as well as a time for us to reflect on what is ahead for the remainder of the year.
Many construction projects are either completed or well underway to improve our residential streets and to help protect our home values. I am extremely pleased that these long-awaited and crucial projects will be completed this year.
The new $7.9 million Public Safety Facility, located at 285 North Seven Hills Road across from the YMCA, was completed in September, on schedule and within budget. A community Open House will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2004 from 1-4 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony will occur at 1 p.m. Bring the entire family out to see our new state-of-the-art facility. Visitors will be encouraged to meander throughout the entire building, including the secure areas. Public Safety personnel will be available throughout the afternoon to explain what types of activities take place in each functional area.
Ground was broken on September 20th for the new $120,000 Nature Center that will be located in Rock Springs Park. The City’s Parks & Recreation Department and the two O’Fallon Rotary Clubs developed a plan to build the nature center in celebration of Rotary’s 100th Anniversary. The new “urban nature center” will serve as a nature focal point for the entire community. Completion of the project is expected by early 2005.
Numerous road projects were completed over the past few months, including the 4,400-foot, 5-lane West Highway 50 overlay project from Old Collinsville Road to Long Drive.
The $2 million street asphalt overlay project in our seasoned neighborhoods is 75% complete and will continue into the fall. This is the second year of the project with over 14 miles of City streets being overlaid this year. The $175,000 sidewalk construction project will replace and/or add approximately 3,000 feet of sidewalk along City streets.
The stormwater drainage study has taken longer to complete than was originally anticipated. While we had hoped to have the results of the study sooner, stormwater drainage is a critical issue in O’Fallon and we want to make certain that the study is accurate and comprehensive. A top priority for next year will be to begin the repairs that are outlined in the study. Citizens will be asked for their input prior to the repairs starting.
The $2.8 million automatic water meter project is nearly 80% complete with over 14,000 automatic meter reading units installed. The new meters will allow monthly radio reading of all meters and greatly save on labor costs. Levelized billing will also be offered in the next few months.
The City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration was held in August. Over the course of the weekend, thousands of O’Fallon residents took advantage of the opportunity to come together in celebration of our great community and to partake in the festivities. The celebration was a tremendous success, thanks to our many volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors. Businesses and individuals donated over $117,000 to underwrite this event, and thanks to their generosity, most of the activities throughout the event were free.
As always, I welcome your suggestions and comments and encourage you to contact me at 624-4500. It is through your input and dialog on important issues that we will make O’Fallon an even better place to live and work. It is an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to work for the residents of O’Fallon.
Gary L. Graham
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