City developing plans to enhance its appearance and functionality

After just a few weeks in existence, the Laurie Enhancement Committee outlined a possible projects list for the city’s board of aldermen Dec. 12.
The goal of the recently appointed committee is to recommend ideas to enhance the city’s appearance and make infrastructure more functional and to help come up with alternative ways to fund these projects, such as grants.
Committee member Ron Holtz presented the ideas for potential projects, but said there is no priority to the list at this time.
With a general consensus of approval from aldermen, the committee does now plan to apply for a TRIM grant, which would involve tree identification markers and proper tree management to maintain trees – such as in the fairgrounds – and help educate the public on forestry. It is a cost share grant for up to $10,000 with recipients’ match at 40 percent, according to Holtz, but volunteer labor on the project could be credited towards the recipients’ in-kind match.
The board also approved the committee to find a site location and investigate the cost for a possible Lake of the Ozarks West sign. Mark Shellenberg has volunteered to fundraise for the sign, which is planned to be done solely through donations.
The list
• Landscaping at the triangle of the junction of Highways 5 and 135 which might include a welcome center or picnic area.
• Sidewalks and/or bike trails along Hwy. 5 and Route O, at the fairgrounds, ball park and golf course and movie theatre – connectivity is key to these types of projects, according to Holtz; also possibly a crosswalk on Hwy. 5 between G2M and Porters
• Street lighting
• More courts at the fairgrounds – tennis, volleyball, basketball
• Fix up rundown buildings in town, possibly have murals painted on the side of some buildings, and make sure vacant buildings and lots are maintained and mowed
• A connector road between Hwy. 5 and Route O to open up more development space and improve traffic flow
• A specific look or palette for buildings to help the city look more planned and coordinated
• Historic signage
• Tree identification and markers at the fairgrounds
• A Lake of the Ozarks West sign – similar to the lit up Lake of the Ozarks sign put up recently that can be seen from Hwy. 54 in Lake Ozark