Olde Towne Beautification Would Use Signs, Shrubs, Mulch to Restore Visibility

Committees were formed, plans were hatched and ideas were launched Tuesday as a group of Olde Towne Fenton business owners met to develop ways to revitalize Fenton's original business district.

Located virtually in the shadows of the massive Gravois Bluffs shopping area, the Olde Towne group hopes to atttract more visitors to the, mostly smaller, businesses along Old Gravois Road. Much of the planning will center around the reopening of the Meramec River bridge between Sunset Hills and Fenton that will funnel traffic again into the Olde Towne area. The bridge is scheduled to open in late August or early September, according to the city

Signage will be an important consideration to developing an identity to the Olde Town area and group members discussed plans to erect a new sign near the store, as well as refurbishing an existing sign at Old Gravois Road and Highway 141 adjacent to .  A date was tentatively set for June 16 where association members would participate in a "beautification day," designed to plant new shrubs and flowers, pull weeds, spread mulch and generally spruce up the area.

The Olde Towne Fenton Business Association also is putting together a set of bylaws to formalize the group. There are about 120 businesses in the Olde Towne district. About a dozen business owners attended Tuesday's meeting.

The group plans to attend committee meetings held by the to show support for its Olde Towne efforts. Alderman Harold Bade, one of two aldermen who represent the Olde Towne area, attended the meeting to offer support and answer questions about whatever city involvement there might be in the New Olde Towne revitalization effort.