Ladue Council Members Looking for More Data to go Along With Construction Projects

Somewhere, somehow the Ladue City Council members are getting caught up in the weeds just a bit when trying to follow the continuous flow of money for road and sidewalk projects.

Some $375,000 had been set aside to purchase some limited easement property in conjunction with the new rebuild of McKnight Road and sidewalks ranging from Ladue to Clayton roads.

It seems, the number of parcels to purchase limited easement has risen from 3 to 11. And that’s where there’s some honest confusion. The council members would like to know what’s been spent, and what needs to be spent.

Anne Lamitola, Ladue’s new public works director says that can be a complex issue. “Some homeowners will donate their piece of property and some expect to be paid (fair market value). You just never know,” she said.

Lamitola pledged that council members will get monthly flow charts showing where the money is going on these projects.

Council members agreed that’s a good plan.

“Sometimes we just get a little lost in the discussion when it comes to the costs of these kinds of grants,” said council member Art Bond.

Council member Walter Stern predicts this project will be more complex than similar others done before. “Our other sidewalk projects were done on very straight roads (Warson Road, Clayton and Ladue). McKnight is hilly and curvy so this will be more of a challenge,” said Stern.

Lamitola agreed.

With that, the council did approve a supplemental agreement with MoDot to keep the McKnight Road project going forward.

The council approved an amended contract with the engineering firm of Horner & Shifrin for $67,000 for services related to the McKnight Road bridge/resurfacing and sidewalk projects.

Lester’s is expanding out-of-doors

Lesters Restaurant at 9900 Clayton Road was approved for outdoor dining. The patio out front will add eight tables and seating for 32. Access is from the parking lot, but all diners will have to check in with the hostess station before being seated.

At the same time, Lesters was approved for shared parking with businesses located directly east and adjacent to their property.

Edgewild Restaurant & Winery at 9160 Clayton Rd. was approved for a special use permit to serve liquor by the drink. This plan will eventually bring the long darkened Busch’s Grove location back to life, hopefully by May or June of this year.