LAKE OZARK, Mo. -- Additional parking on Bagnell Dam Strip is a proposal one Lake area organization's members plan to discuss during the next Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen meeting Jan. 28.
A discussion about the Bagnell Dam Strip Association's (BDSA) proposed project was originally scheduled for the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen's meeting Jan. 14 at Lake Ozark City Hall. However, it was tabled for the upcoming aldermen meeting because a BDSA member helping to make the presentation was unable to attend, according to Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave VanDee.
Lake Ozark Alderman and BDSA member Jeff Van Donsel said the now-vacant area in front of the former arcade and ski ball building that closed in mid-2013 on Bagnell Dam Strip is the site BDSA is requesting to develop additional, needed parking.
"This area (near the now Ozark-Bar-B-Q on the Strip, formerly Burnt Ends BBQ) is where the organization is looking to include 12 to 15 increased parking spots," he said, noting the city has right of way in this area.
Van Donsel said ideally it would be great to add many more parking spots due to the hundreds needed when large events are held on Bagnell Dam Strip such as Hot Summer Nights, the Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals or parades. However, he said the Bagnell Dam Strip's topography doesn't allow for many parking spots to be added.
In this current proposed parking lot project, Van Donsel said the BDSA would offer volunteer work in labor to excavate, asphalt and stripe the parking spots. However, the organization is hoping the City of Lake Ozark could provide asphalt and surveying.
"It would be at minimal cost to the city since the BDSA would do most of the labor; but it would be at great benefit to them to add these parking spots," Van Donsel said.
Van Donsel said the first two phases in the Bagnell Dam Strip area's improvement project were successful, however, the region did lose some parking spots. In addition to the parking spot project to be discussed on Jan. 28, Van Donsel said the BDSA is also looking at other ways to increase parking space for Bagnell Dam Strip with a possibility of municipal free parking space at the former police station area, which is owned by the City of Lake Ozark.