(Photo/vbclink.com)

Sara Stadem | Editor

The City of Crooks keeps moving forward with improvements and changes as they continue to grow their community, according to City Council President Jana Richardson.
Sunset Park has been undergoing a few changes over the course of the summer, explained Richardson. A water fountain is being added to the park with the work almost being complete. In addition to the fountain, the city is expanding the walking path in Sunset Park.
Another park that has seen some change is Palmira Park. Richardson explained there have been some upgrades to the park such as a new picnic shelter and the restroom facilities. These improvements are now complete and ready for the community to enjoy.
When it comes to improvements, the City of Crooks also has some preliminary items that are currently being worked through.
There are preliminary plans for a light industrial park in the northwest corner of Crooks located in the area of Bob’s Country Corner Gas Station, according to Richardson. The preliminary plan of this has included small manufacturing and small businesses.
The south to southwest side of Crooks wrapping around the new Tri-Valley Early Learning Center (ELC) includes preliminary plans for single family homes, multi-family homes and small commercial property along the highway. “The land has already been purchased and that’s the preliminary plans that has been purposed to us,” Richardson said.
“The west side of the development is all single-family homes and now we are being asked if we are going to add multi-family, twin homes, etc. We are lacking in that area,” Richardson said. She continued, “So, Van Buskirk Companies and this development around the school will bring some of that in which I am very excited about that.”
Sunset Park also has some other possible improvements it could see in the future. Richardson explained the council is working with the city engineer and figuring out funding in hopes to get permanent restroom facilities at said park. “This is a goal of mine before I’m done with council,” Richardson said. She continued, “It’s a great park and it’s so busy. So, it would be a nice feature to have added for the community.”
Richardson also explained a hurdle to overcome is the location of the park. Due to the park being low in the valley, Richardson said it’s very limited as to where the restroom facilities can be built because of how the sewer needs to flow. Richardson said they are working hard at trying to find a solution for this preliminary project.
In addition to the preliminary items, there are also items that have been given the green light and are a go for the City of Crooks, Richardson explained.
The Van Buskirk Companies development which is located across the street from the Tri-Valley ELC has approximately 65 lots which will include single-family and twin homes. This development, the Heritage Pond Development, will also have a special feature of a man-made pond and will include a bike trail. According to Richardson, they will be breaking ground any day now and lots can already be purchased by going to Van Buskirk’s website, https://vbclink.com/residential-property/heritage-pond/.

The City of Crooks was also awarded a loan of $1,823,000 for a wastewater project which includes a $650,000 grant. This was awarded from DANR’s Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program and Solid Waste Management Program.
Richardson explained the City of Crooks applied for the SRF loan in order to expand their sanitary sewer system and add a new lift station to the southern edge of the city by the Tri-Valley ELC.
“So, one way to do this expansion is to raise rates and due to the loan and grant, we can do this without having to raise rates for our current community members,” Richardson said. She continued, “We like to grow our community but we hate having to raise rates for our current community members. So, this is a great way to do it. We thought we would have to do a surcharge but we don’t have to do that either.”
“It makes the land a lot more attractive to developers. It’s hard to get a developer to come in and want to put in the sewer line and lift stations,” said Richardson. She continued, “Now this way a developer can come in and just worry about adding streets, etc., and not all of those extras.”
“We just have to be on top of it (the growth) because when you start growing like this, you can’t be catching up,” Richardson explained. “You have to have the standards and guidelines already to go for the developers to be able to come in and grow the community in the direction that we want it to change for future growth.”
Richardson explained there was a special meeting held Monday night in order to begin the bidding for the sanitary sewer expansion project and once that is complete, the project should be under way. “I would think end of the summer for sure,” Richardson said.