State of the City address touts progress, future growth
Apr. 16—As Mayor John Josendale stood at the podium during the State of the City address, he wore his emotions on his sleeve when showing his appreciation for everyone working to further St. Joseph.
"I am emotional because I am St. Joe proud," the St. Joseph native said. "And as I looked around the room today, there are a lot of people out here that are making a difference."
For the 160 people in attendance at the latest State of the City address on Tuesday, a presentation of gains in 2023 offered many reasons for enthusiasm about the future of development in St. Joseph. Those in attendance represented areas of law enforcement, business, government, politics, education and more.
"One of my reasons for running for mayor was I'd like to see St. Joe what it was like when I was a kid, but in the future," Josendale said. "As I look at that and I see where we are today and where we're going, I am proud of where we're going."
Much of the video address focused on the city's ongoing strategic plan, which is built around seven objectives such as maintaining and enhancing city assets, creating new opportunities and investing in the community. The plan was designed as an outline for growth. Now, the city is poised to continue filling it in.
St. Joseph saw major development in many areas last year, like the completion of the runway project for the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, adding resources for addressing blight and improving access to public safety services. The St. Joseph Police Department — led by new Chief Paul Luster — saw a 14% decrease in violent and property crimes in 2023.
With a combination of funds through the Capital Improvements Program, American Rescue Plan Act and park sales tax, the city has made significant investments in numerous parks and amenities like Civic Arena and the River Bluff Trails Park.
Business leaders like Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Natalie Hawn touted the creation of 96 new jobs and more than $90 million in capital investments.
"One of the things I like to highlight is, we're sixth in the state for average wage. Our average wage is a little over $55,000; that competes with just suburbs in Kansas City and St. Louis," Hawn said. "We're well above Springfield, Columbia, Joplin ... We have good jobs here in St. Joseph and we continue to bring in more."
Despite the creation of the new Housing Task Force and more than $1 million going to the development of housing in 2023, continued discussions and investment in housing will be a priority to help local residents and grow St. Joseph's workforce.
"We have recognized that we have about 7,000 people in St. Joseph that are living under what they can afford house-wise," Hawn said. "So we have to make it a priority to look at housing, continue how to do infill housing as well as professional housing and housing for all sectors in our community."
As much progress as the city made in 2023, plans and projects moving forward have Josendale and others excited for what the community could see in the years to come, including a new animal shelter and sports complex, two projects the city is heavily committed to working on.
2024 is expected to be a milestone year for city projects, including the planned revitalization of Krug Park and the completion of the Downtown Children's Discovery Center and Missouri Western's Convergent Technology Alliance Center building.
"Some of the things that we're putting in place now will be here for the next 10, 15 years. So what you're trying to do is do what's best for the entire city," Josendale said. "It's fun to do, but it's a challenge to make sure you do it right."
