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Project Timeline Discussed

GASCONADE COUNTY—The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has awarded the Gasconade County a grant for $529,210 to upgrade three roads in the Owensville area. The roads included in the project are Old Highway 19, City Cemetery Road and Tappmeyer Road.

“Gasconade County is pleased to receive the CDBG grant for $529,210,” Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte said. “I would especially like to thank Gasconade County Clerk Lesa Lietzow, Treasurer Mike Feagan, Commissioners Jim Holland and Ron Hardecke, and a big thank you to former Commissioner Jerry Lairmore for getting the ball rolling on this grant.”

The projects on Old Highway 19 and City Cemetery Road will rehabilitate the existing poor and aging pavement, which would improve safety for the travelling public as well as relieve Gasconade County from ongoing maintenance concerns associated with pothole repairs and pavement patching. The recommended alternative for Old Highway 19 from the Owensville city limits to Highway 19 north is full-depth patching with a two-inch asphalt overlay and drainage improvements. This project compliments the recently completed upgrade by the city of Owensville on the western portion of the roadway.

The recommended alternative for the City Cemetery Road is also full-depth patching with a two-inch asphalt overlay and drainage improvements.

Tappmeyer Road has the potential for further development, dependent upon adequate infrastructure and access. This project would upgrade this section from gravel to a chip-seal surface, which would improve air and water quality by eliminating dust and gravel runoff during rain events. The recommended alternative for Tappmeyer Road is to prime coat and double chip-seal on county-prepared base and drainage improvements.

A kick-off meeting was held on Feb. 13, 2025, with design work to begin in Fall 2025. The target date for bidding is January or February 2026, with the bid to be awarded in February or March 2026. Construction is expected to begin in June or July 2026.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) prepared the grant request and will administer the grant on behalf of Gasconade County.

“I would also like to thank Executive Director Bonnie Prigge and her Meramec Regional Planning staff, especially Kelly Sink, the project development manager, on this grant application,” Presiding Commissioner Schulte said.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $810,599 with difference coming from the city and in-kind donations. Howe Company from Macon, MO, has been selected to do the engineering work on the project. 

CDBG programs are designed to support the well-being of Missouri’s communities and increase their capacity for growth. Grants are available in several categories and can be utilized for a variety of community development initiatives.

The CDBG program is a flexible program that provides communities with the necessary resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Missouri Department of Economic Development handles Missouri’s allocation of CDBG funds and offers them on a competitive basis to cities, counties and other qualifying entities outside entitlement areas, that receive direct CDBG funds.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chair of the board. A professional staff of 26 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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Photo Cutline: MRPC and CDBG staff met with the Gasconade County Commission, County Clerk Lesa Lietzow and County Treasurer Mike Feagan (not pictured) on Feb. 13 to get the new grant paperwork started.