Company Reportedly Picked to Purchase Land For Old Bonhomme Road Project

Despite the opposition of some residents, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that this week the City of Olivette selected a company to purchase the property needed to move forward with the Old Bonhomme Road reconstruction project.

As previously reported by Patch, some residents are not on board with with the city's plans to repair the two-mile stretch of road between University City and Olive Boulevard. They've told city council members in the past that the road work will have a significant impact on property values and the charm that led them to the neighborhood.

However, according to Thursday's article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to select O.R. Colan Associates of St. Charles to begin negotiations to purchase 89 parcels of land. Much of that land will be purchased from residents opposed to the project, the Post-Dispatch reports. The article also states that if agreements are not reached with the homeowners, the city plans to file suite to condemn the land.

Previously, City Public Works Director Mike Gartenberg told the The St. Louis Post Dispatch that there is residential support for the project. "There are some very significant problems with that street," Gartenberg told the paper. "There is a small group of people opposed to the widening of the sidewalks."

Thursday's Post article also states that the project to upgrade the roads, curbs and sidewalks is necessary to make them compliant with current standards.

See Also:

• Residents Say Old Bonhomme Road Project Would Destroy Street's Charm
  
• Old Bonhomme Sidewalk Project Moves Ahead After Hearing
  
• Pictures & Chart of the Plans for the Old Bonhomme Road Rebuild
  
• City Officials Hold Informational Meeting About the Rebuild of Old Bonhomme Road