Shine a Light on City Government

Friends and Neighbors,

On behalf of the Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen and City Staff, I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Please be safe while we get through the next few weeks.

The Board of Aldermen and the Planning & Zoning Commission have been busy.  The P&Z recommended and the BOA approved the Final Plan for the Planned Unit Development called the Courtyards at Barathaven.  There will be 47 single family detached villas on the 11 acres located on Technology Drive west of Barathaven Blvd.  This development adds to the approvals previously granted for a 15 villa home development at the NW corner of Feise and Hanley Roads and a 23 villa home development on Highway N, west of the Lewis and Clark subdivision.

Phase 2 of the Inverness subdivision is underway.  Construction crews are working hard to finish pouring the concrete for streets before cold weather.

The BOA adopted the City budget for 2021.  Gross revenue for 2021 is estimated to be $5.9 million.  Expenses (excluding Capital Improvement Projects) are estimated to be $4.8 million, so the operating budget is $1.1 million in the black.  We approved Capital Improvement Projects of $2.7 million, so we will draw $1.6 million from reserves.  Our total outlay for 2021 is estimated at $7.5 million.

The Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex is coming along.  We expect the construction of the Restroom facilities and Maintenance Building to begin soon.  Two thirds of the enlarged parking lot have been paved.  The field lights are installed, supports for backstops on Fields 1, 2 and 3 are in place.  The paved walking path is well along.  At this stage of such a project I get impatient and want to see it move even faster.

The City has offered for sale its 3-acre parcel on Hubble Drive in the industrial area.  It was acquired many years ago in anticipation of the City establishing its own Street Department.  Based on subsequent experience it is not likely the City will ever operate its own Street Department.  A company called Wireless Horizon has offered to purchase the property and to build a 12,000 square foot facility for training and dispatching crews who build and service cell towers.

Exciting news!  The City will host a concert in City Hall Park on May 20, 2021 featuring Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.  Rhonda Vincent has been named Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year several times, as well as winning the Grammy for Bluegrass Album of the year in 2017.  She is a member of the Grand Ole’ Opry and a native of Missouri.  This will be a ticketed event.  Details will be posted on the City’s website after the holidays.  In the meantime, Check Out this Zoom Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6bvGC-3qxo

The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2.  The Work Session begins at 6:00 PM.  The Business Meeting starts at 7:00.  Come to City Hall and see your City at work.

“Shine a Light on City Government”