Houston’s efforts toward community development around the downtown business district will earn it the 2008 Governor’s Community Project of the Year. The announcement was made Friday by the director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Greg Steinhoff, who heads the department, said efforts by Downtown Houston Inc. will be highlighted Sept. 10-12 at the annual Governor’s Economic Development Conference in Kansas City.
“I appreciate what you do each day for your community and state,” said Steinhoff. “We in Missouri are fortunate to have a tremendous group of individuals like you that work relentlessly to accomplish great things for the Show-Me State.”
The state praised the organization’s efforts in:
-Development of a welcome center in the former Haney Market near U.S. 63. Extensive remodeling is under way.
-Across the street at the former Houston Redi-Mix site, wildflowers, native plants and grasses have been planted. The Brushy Creek Trail will serve as the trailhead for the Village Trail, a walking and biking venue that has begun. One phase is complete in Emmett Kelly Park and work is completed for the trail along Brushy Creek. Another section will run near the new county justice center to Airport Road. Downtown Houston Inc. bought the more than two-acre eyesore that once housed a redi-mix business and cleaned up the site last year. It is expected it will take three years to fully development the wildflowers.
-New sidewalks, lighting and the first phase of the Lone Star Plaza are complete, which turned a vacant lot into a park-like setting. New trash receptacles are in place downtown – replacing those installed in the 1950s. The group also is leading an effort that will include frames containing historic pictures of the downtown etched on a copper surface. They are part of the trash receptacle project. Custom-made park benches that depict information about the community also were installed.
-Work also will be completed soon on a native rock sign near South Grand Avenue and U.S. 63 that directs traffic to the downtown.
Officers of the downtown group are Brad Gentry, president; Kathy Richardson, vice president; Vera Gladden, secretary; and Charlie McKinney, treasurer.
“We’re pleased to receive the recognition for the community, and we also thank Mayor Steve Hutcheson, the council and administration for its support over the last several years,” Gentry said.
He added that Elaine Campbell, the city’s development director, had a huge role in the community’s receipt of the award.