Holiday Greetings Grain Valley!

by Mayor Mike Todd, City of Grain Valley

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​     Can you believe that we will soon be ushering in the year 2020?  So much has happened in our community over the last twenty years.  Most of you are aware of the growth that we have experienced.  As of the 2000 census, there were just over 5,000 residents in Grain Valley.  The US Census Bureau reported in July 2018, a population of 14,277, so it will not surprise us if Grain Valley reaches a population near 15,000 by the reporting of the April 2020 Census.
     The growth in population has brought many changes.  The City is averaging 10 new home construction permits per month.  New businesses are continually coming to Grain Valley, two of which are nearing completion.  Taco Bell, north of I-70, will open its doors in the coming weeks, as will TempStop, just north of City Hall.  The TempStop will include a BluTaco and Champs Chicken.  QuikTrip should be breaking ground soon also.  All of these will be great options for families on the go. 
     The growth we have experienced has had City staff evaluating the conditions and space constraints presented by the current city facilities, including City Hall, the police department and the community center.  These facilities were completed in 2001, when the total population of the city was approximately 1/3 of it’s current size.  City staff has worked with architects and construction consultants to evaluate the current needs of City staff and amenities for our citizens. 
     Looking ahead and in an effort to preserve our City’s history, the City purchased property several years ago at the location of the former Sni-A-Bar farms.  The 2014 comprehensive plan set the long-term vision to create a community campus at this property.  City staff and the project’s partners have appeared at community events seeking public input regarding the project.  They also facilitated a community meeting, which was held in October with 200+ in attendance.   We encourage citizens to stay informed regarding the project by visiting www.envisiongrainvalley.com.
     Our Parks & Recreation Department has been busy throughout the year with programs such as little league baseball and playtime for toddlers, but have also been involved in larger impact projects, such as the Blue Branch Trail.  It is a continuation of the City’s Trails Master Plan that focuses on connecting neighborhoods to schools, schools to parks, and parks to the downtown corridor. The Blue Branch Trail extends from Buckner Tarsney Road, west to SW Eagles Parkway, running parallel to Blue Branch Creek.  The trail will be completed in the coming months, with plans to add a pedestrian bridge in 2020. 
     We are gearing up now for the Holiday Festival at Armstrong Park on Thursday, December 5th.  The event begins at 6:00 pm with the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas tree and lights throughout the Park, Main Street, the Community Center and City Hall.  We support the Grain Valley Assistance Council throughout the year, but this is a huge event for them as they rely on the community’s support to serve more than 100 families.  This year they will be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the evening.  Join us to enjoy this tradition as the community comes together to kick off the holiday season with free hot chocolate, cookies and photos with Santa.  Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at mayor@cityofgrainvalley.org or feel free to give me a call at 816-719-9436. 
     Happy holidays to you!