City staff reviews 2024 development activity; housing growth and projects highlighted

Community development staff provided an annual summary of 2024 permitting and development activity, and outlined department priorities for 2025.

Tom reviewed major active projects: continued construction at Missouri S&T (including the protoplexis and Arrival District), ongoing school-district projects, completion of a new East Central College location in a former USGS building, and other private development such as LongHorn Steakhouse, Ramen Bay downtown, and several apartment projects. He also noted industrial-park activity including additions at Coca-Cola and Pepsi and completion of a truck-wash facility.

On housing statistics Tom reported 137 housing units permitted in 2024 with three demolitions, yielding a net increase of 134 housing units. He said remodel activity has increased in recent years—averaging about $1.5 million annually since 2018—and that updated zoning rules and pending projects (including the McBride/Highlands development) are likely to sustain construction growth over the next decade.

Tom said the department is implementing online permitting and expects a new permitting software and updated city website to enable online submittal and payment. He also described administrative changes that have reduced the number of variance applications to the Board of Adjustment by addressing prior code items in the zoning update.

Planned 2025 items listed by staff include completing the comprehensive-plan draft, continuing neighborhood initiatives (Old Town implementation), scanning and digitizing long-term plan documents, and preparing for Route 66 centennial events in 2026. Tom said staff will return with zoning-code updates and targeted neighborhood work as resources allow.