FLORISSANT, Mo. — In the next couple of months, about 30 acres in the back of Koch Park in Florissant will be turned into a brand-new subdivision called Koch Park Manors.
It's a development that will result in more green space, but not everyone is happy with it.
Florissant Mayor Timothy Lowery said the city hasn't seen a subdivision this big in almost 40 years. In October, the city traded nearly 32 acres of an undeveloped portion of Koch Park in exchange for 43 acres of parkland adjacent to Sunset Park.
But the land swap has residents divided. Thomas Stretch often walks in the open area of the park and wants to see it stay the same.
"I'd like to keep it as it is. I like the open space. It makes people feel better walking around. It makes me feel alive, so I'd like to keep it as a park," Stretch said.
While Jessica Berchtold believes this is exactly what Florissant has been missing.
"I think there's been more demand than expected. It really has been a need in the area, and we have such an inventory shortage. To be able to offer our clients bigger homes of what they're looking for is a true asset for us," Berchtold said.
Lowery said the city previously went through a comprehensive plan where residents voiced their concerns about outdated existing homes.
Now, McBride Homes is building 105 new single-family homes.
"There's not a lot of new construction in the area. For us to bring new, modern housing into the area is a huge draw and is really what the people have been asking for," said Erin Hardebeck, Director of Marketing at McBride Homes.
As a part of these plans, the city is building a new pool and aquatic center at the front of Koch Park. There will be a new walking trail that'll connect the park to Sunset Park and St. Ferdinand Park right into Old Town.
"Our goal is to work with Great Rivers Greenway to extend the trail all the way along the river and our new parkland that we just acquired there and into Sunset Park, which would also go to all of our larger areas like St. Ferdinand Park, Old Town," Lowery said. "So that trail system is going to be very exciting for the city."
Once Koch Park Manors is built, McBride Homes will build another big subdivision of about 170 new homes just a few minutes away on Mullanphy Road.
"We're hoping this is going to attract a lot of new families into the city of Florissant and it's very exciting. I know that some of our residents who currently have homes here are really excited about having the opportunity to move there also," said Mayor Lowery.
The homes would range in size from 1,200 to 2,600 square feet, with homes priced anywhere from $250,000 to over $400,000.
"I definitely want to keep as many open spaces as we can," Stretch said.
McBride Homes tells 5 On Your Side that multiple homes have been sold already. Homeowners will be able to move into their new homes early next year.