By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Community appearance tops the list of priorities for the St. Joseph City Council in 2021.
One project in particular that tops the chart is Krug Park Ampitheater improvements. Mayor Bill McMurray called it a "top priority."
St. Joseph city manager Gary Edwards said Krug Park improvements is a project that's been years in the making.
"There have been a number of meetings to get (this project) moving forward again," Edwards said. "There's now an effort to take it to the next step where we can begin actual action."
Edwards said a committee is being assembled to take a closer look at funding sources and other details.
City councilman Brian Meyers says Krug Park is perhaps the best facility St. Joseph has to offer for visitors, and its upkeep should be a top priority.
"This is the gem of the city that we have right here," Meyers said of Krug Park. "It is and has been rapidly deteriorating over the last couple of decades. But, if we're able to bring in an ampitheater through different funding mechanisms, we'll be able to save one of the best features of our city."
St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Kempf says about $1 million is available through federal grants to address infrastructure problems and to fix up the children's circus area in the park. Additional funds will be needed to make further improvements, but Kempf is excited about the level of discussion going on about Krug Park.
"There's never really been a serious discussion about the funding of it until now," Kempf said. "So, now it's picking up a lot of energy. Hopefully, it continues to do so.
Overall community appearance is also a big goal for the council. Councilman Russel Moore mentioned improvement of alleyways and Riverfront Park development, along with identifying and remedying blighted areas in the city.
Meyers said overall city appearance also seems to be a top goal for St. Joseph residents.
"The overall appearance of the city is something we need to be focused on," Meyers emphasized. "It's the number one thing that people are dissatisfied with, according to the last couple of community surveys that have gone out through Community Alliance."
