“If you build it, they will come.” So whispered a voice to inspire Kevin Costner’s character in Field of Dreams, and at the Lake of the Ozarks too, building has proven to be a powerful incentive—from the Lake’s beginnings until today.
Bagnell Dam in Miller County was built to generate electricity at a time when the country was struggling, but its parent company persisted. Through the 1929 crash and Great Depression, construction continued. Roads facilitating crews and equipment were built, and so was the dam still in use today.
That persistence has transformed the area, making Lake of the Ozarks a destination for millions. Bagnell Dam generated not only electricity, but also dollars. The Lake created by the dam draws tourists, retirees, and second-home owners seeking a place of beauty and entertainment.
The last decade has been characterized by financial challenges. A crash in 2008 slowed home buying and savings, but builders are once again busy planning and dreaming for a future that will bring more people to Lake of the Ozarks. City and county officials believe that a plan for the future and a solid foundation to realize that plan will improve the quality of life for all.
Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty contends that commercial developers show interest in places where there are good roads and, at the very minimum, water and sewer pressure lines in place. He believes that the growth of Osage Beach is directly related to such infrastructure. He furthermore believes that investing in similar infrastructure along Highway 5 north of Camdenton will attract the next “game-changer;” i.e., the next builder with an idea big enough to grow the sales tax base for the county and bring jobs so that post-high school graduates can stay in their hometowns instead of leave for work elsewhere.
As a consequence, Camden County’s commissioners have turned their attention to the Master Plan that designated highway frontage along Highway 5 for residential use. While Hasty grants that very little needs to be changed in that plan, he still argues the highway is an unlikely place for residential development. He says residential development is more likely off the highway, away from traffic, but close to conveniences and amenities.
Long-time Lake residents, including Hasty, remember an Osage Beach much smaller than the one that now exists. It had fewer brand-name stores and no big-box stores then. Today, Osage Beach is in its fifth year of growth at the rate of $60 million dollars annually, according to City Planner Cary Patterson. He cautions, however, that few places should expect such growth to continue, especially in light of the fact that in prior years, $20 million was more typical. National events can stem the tide of progress, as can the ever-unpredictable nature. Patterson offered the year 2008 or Joplin, Missouri as examples of growth stalled by economic woes and nature.
Still, Osage Beach is poised for more growth in light of the Arrowhead Resort planned for ground vacated by Dogwood Hills Golf Club. This TIF-financed project may also “spur interest” in revitalizing the west end of Osage Beach Parkway by attracting more homes to support that area, Patterson noted. He hopes that Arrowhead will bring not only more residents to support existing businesses, but new businesses as well.
For an “Around the Lake” column, Camdenton’s Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Trish Creach, wrote in support of comprehensive City planning begun early in 2015. With the help of RDG and local stakeholders, the City has been engaged in examining Camdenton’s “quality of life, economic development and infrastructure” with the goal of uniting “the community around a vision for Camdenton.” Creach noted that “planning is the ability and the will to take a step-back, evaluate the existing, and then develop a strategic guide” that brings together zoning and best land uses as well as investments for water, sewer, roads, and a larger airport. This work is done with the goal of preserving Camdenton’s way of life while building a base on which the City will grow. One possible project includes rerouting Illinois Street to provide better access to the City’s downtown core.
The City of Laurie, in Morgan County, is another municipality engaged in upgrading public access with sidewalks and crosswalks along Highway 5 from Mooreview Road to Highway O. A successful grant proposal has made this project possible.
In addition, two businesses have decided to locate in Laurie. Mid-Best Distillery first opened in Gravois Mills, but when the owner needed more floor space, Laurie’s real estate provided options. Wok N Roll, well-known on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark, has also chosen Laurie for its second location to be open later this fall.
Miller County’s Presiding County Commissioner Tom Wright reports residential growth and a population increase of 1,500 over the last ten years. He attributes that growth to low property taxes and improving Eldon Schools, led by Matt Davis, an Eldon graduate. Both factors influenced the Dollar General Corporation now building larger stores with more services and products in Miller County and in Camdenton on North Business 5.
One other sign of infrastructure growth is in the number of senior housing projects around the Lake. As Lake of the Ozarks continues to attract full-time retirees, more and varied housing for all ages, incomes, and abilities becomes necessary. Lake Ozark has approved the use of tax credits for a 44-unit affordable housing complex with senior needs in mind. Elevators, indoor mailboxes, and trash chutes on each floor are just three additions to make life easier for seniors.
Developers are also bringing a 40-unit apartment building for seniors to Camdenton. Affordability and access were uppermost in the minds of planners.
East from Camdenton on Highway 54, home buyers may tour Isla Del Sol where a causeway has made life easier for residents and potential owners. They no longer must use a ferry to access the mainland; the causeway has been instrumental in bringing more buyers to this upscale housing.
More than 75 years ago, they built a dam, and the people came. They found beautiful waters and the Ozark hills, and they stayed. Now, more building and planning is underway to ensure that people will continue to come, live, work and play at the Lake of the Ozarks.
