Big improvements could be coming to several areas of Warsaw, and city officials want residents to see what's being planned before construction begins.
The City of Warsaw is moving forward with a nearly $25 million federally funded improvement project that includes new sidewalks, bicycle trails, street upgrades, and stormwater drainage improvements.
Warsaw City Administrator Devin Lake says the project is being funded through a federal RAISE grant awarded in 2023 through the Federal Highway Administration.
The funding was secured during the administration of former City Administrator Randy Pogue, who had applied for the grant several times before finally receiving approval.
According to Lake, the improvements will focus on the Town Branch corridor while also extending sidewalks into other areas of the community.
The goal is to make it easier for residents to get around Warsaw while addressing infrastructure needs, including drainage and street conditions.
But before work moves forward, city officials want to hear from the people who live and own property along the proposed routes.
Public information forums are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Thursday, Nov. 12. No meeting is scheduled for Wednesday because of Veterans Day.
Lake says the meetings will give residents a chance to review the proposed improvements, ask questions, and learn how the project could affect their property.
"Our designer has prepared some boards to visually see the project," Lake said.
The city has also distributed door hangers along the affected corridors, inviting property owners to attend and learn more.
Lake says brochures and comment cards will be available, allowing residents to share concerns or offer suggestions.
The feedback is especially important for understanding how construction and the proposed improvements could affect individual properties.
"We want to make sure that we are not negatively impacting anybody's property," Lake said.
The project has been in the works for several years.
Lake explained that Pogue pursued the federal funding through multiple application attempts before Warsaw received the award in 2023.
The grant program itself has operated under several names over the years, including TIGER and BUILD, before becoming known as RAISE in 2021.
Now, with the funding secured and design work underway, the city is giving residents a closer look at what the improvements could mean for Warsaw.
Those unable to attend the public meetings can still follow the project online.
Lake says the city has created a dedicated section on its website featuring project descriptions, maps, pictures, and contact information.
Residents can visit WarsawMO.gov and look for the grant project public information forum announcement on the homepage. Selecting "Learn More" will take visitors to additional project information.
The city also plans to share updates through its social media pages.
For Lake, the public meetings are an opportunity to make sure residents understand what's being proposed and have a voice in the process.
And for Warsaw, the nearly $25 million project represents a major investment in the streets, sidewalks, and other infrastructure residents use every day.
