Waynesville Weekly Updates w/Mayor Sean A. Wilson
Waynesville Weekly Updates w/Mayor Sean A. Wilson
Weekly Waynesville Update for the Week of November 18, 2024
Unlock the latest happenings in Waynesville with Mayor Sean Wilson as he shares exciting updates on our community's growth and resilience. From the grand opening of Bumguards to the monumental expansion of the Waynesville/St. Robert Regional Airport, you'll discover how these projects are set to transform our city by 2026. Mayor Wilson also provides insight into the vital improvements financed by ARPA for the stump dump project and the unveiling of our new city website and app designed to keep everyone connected and informed. Plus, learn how the relocation of the tax center to Waynesville is set to provide essential support for military and civilian retirees during tax season.
With the festive season around the corner, we've got all the details on Pulaski County's upcoming holiday events that promise to bring cheer to everyone. Find out what to expect at the Christmas on a Square Parade and the Christmas on the Square celebration, and mark your calendars for these joyous occasions. We're also spotlighting the community's recovery efforts from the recent flooding, with FEMA stepping in to ensure timely assistance. For those eager to give back, stay tuned for locations and opportunities to volunteer for Thanksgiving dinners. Join us as we celebrate community spirit and unity through these vibrant events and initiatives.
Good morning. This is Sean Wilson, the mayor of Waynesville, with your weekly update for November 18th 2024. Just a couple of quick announcements, for last week's Bumguarrs in Waynesville had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 15th. We want to say again welcome to the community. Make sure you stop in and check them out if you haven't already. Also on November 15th, the Waynesville St. Robert Regional Airport conducted its groundbreaking ceremony for its new terminal expansion project. We are so happy to have partners like Fort Leonard Wood and St. Robert as we work together to improve this region's airport. Our Missouri congressional and delegates, the former Senator Roy Blunt, Senator Josh Missouri Senator Eric Schmidt, Representative Mark Alford, Senator Justin Brown, Brown and Representative Bill Hardwick, who who who have advocates for our community in this region. Now the airport terminal expansion project is a $19 million project that will impact this region for many years to come. The self-projected date of the completion of this project will be in 2026. We will be sure to continue to keep everyone updated on the project progress throughout the upcoming year. Also, I have an update for our stump dump project.
Mayor Wilson:For those that have not been following this project, the stump dump is the leaf and the tree limb debris collection point for the city. This is where our residents take all of their yard debris and tree limbs for disposal. We are upgrading and improving the process of gaining access. A couple of years ago, we allocated funds from the American Relief Act program, known as the ARPA funds, to improve several initiatives throughout the city. One of those projects our team agreed upon was the streamlining of the process of gaining access into the stump dump. Agreed upon was the streamlining of the process of gaining access into the stump dump. We will be installing the controlled access point, which will give our citizens a code to be able to enter, and so we're pretty excited about that. We'll also get give access to those outside of city limits at a cost. The details have not been finalized at this time. Monies that are received will be used to maintain the software for the new system. We are really excited about this upgrade and I believe that more people will use it once they see it. We do plan on having an entrance and exit point, so there'll be a one way in and one way out for smooth operation. We do plan to set the entrance back from the road to ensure traffic will not be impeded as patrons use the facility.
Mayor Wilson:Also, I want to share this. We have a great resource in a partnership with the tax center that was previously on Fort Leonard Wood. Coming the second week of January through April 15th 2025, the tax center will be located in the Waynesville community. The location will be 201 North Street, monday through Thursday, from 9 am to 3 pm. Who can use the tax center? Military retirees, dod retirees, civilian non-military retirees and our Gold Star families. Last year, four volunteers filed over a thousand returns. They did an outstanding job. I would also add that if you would like to be a volunteer, please reach out to me through email at mayor at waynesvillemoorg. That's mayor at waynesvillemoorg. That's mayor at waynesvillemoorg.
Mayor Wilson:Online training takes place in December. This partnership is with the IRS, so we're just facilitating the location. We have no part in the training. We have no part in anything other than giving a space for this program within our community. So if you would like to be a part of it again, use my email to contact me and I can get you linked up with those who will be conducting this training in facilitating this service for our communities. Great resource.
Mayor Wilson:Just a quick update on the new website. Before the end of the year, we will launch our new website. This will expand our reach and allow for citizens to connect to the city in another way besides social media. There will be an option to download a free app. For those who are not on social media, this option will be a great alternative and a way to stay connected.
Mayor Wilson:The 2025 sidewalk project update. Over the last couple of years, the city has been working to expand our sidewalk projects. We have been awarded three TAP grants with MoDOT to help with this effort. In 2025, you will see two projects combined into one major project, from the Ruby Dew Bridge going west to Ichord Avenue on the north side of Route 66. You will see sidewalks in place. I would also add that, as part of the 2025 step, which is the statewide transportation improvement program, the city of Waynesville will see major upgrades with crosswalks and ADA compliance improvements along Route 66. That means we will see the flashing amber lights at our locations at the Courthouse Crossing and the Ruby Dew Crossing. At our locations at the Courthouse Crossing and the Ruby Dew Crossing Also, I want to share.
Mayor Wilson:In the next few weeks, the city of Waynesville will officially do an official signing of the Army Pays Program contract. Although this program has already been approved, we're going to do an official signing. And what is the Army Pays Program? It stands for the Partnership for your Success program. It is a strategic partnership between the US Army and the cross sections of corporations, companies and public sector agencies. The program provides American soldiers with an opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future. Pace partners guarantee soldiers an interview and possible employment after the Army. This unique program is part of the Army's effort to partner with Americans, business community and reconnecting America with its Army. If you would like to learn more details about the program, please visit armypayscom. That's armypayscom.
Mayor Wilson:Lastly, the city is still recovering from the damages sustained from the recent flood. The Little Heroes Playground sustained damages that exceeded $120,000. We had a total of 50 properties, one of which was a commercial business. We did have a visit from FEMA on November 18th and they were here to assess damages. For public assistance, only Individual assistance is still ongoing. The city contacted the citizens of Waynesville to help connect them to organizations and resources for recovery assistance. There are unmet needs, so anyone who would like to help the COAD, which is the Pulaski County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, in collecting financial contributions for materials needed. They can drop off their donations at Security Bank, either at the location in Waynesville or the location at St. Robert. Um. They do appreciate that the Pulaski County COAD has been a part of our recovery efforts during times of disaster since 2013, in providing services to our entire County. You can contact them at Pulaski COAD@g mailcom. Pulaski C at gmailcom.
Mayor Wilson:Just a couple of events that's coming up is market calendars. Christmas on a square parade facility bait, facilitated by the Kiwanis club of Pulaski County, will take place on December 1st from 2 to 3.30 pm. We also have Christmas on the Square. That will be taking place December 5th from 6 pm to 9 pm, of course, in downtown Waynesville. Next week I'll give everyone an update on the locations that you can attend that are serving Thanksgiving dinners and some possible opportunities to volunteer if you are interested. And that concludes this week's update and I look forward to seeing you around the town.