ARNOLD, Mo. — A standing-room-only crowd packed Thursday night's city council meeting in Arnold as homeowners spoke publicly for the first time about the controversial Arnold Parkway project.
Homeowners each had three minutes to weigh in on the multi-million dollar new road project that would buy out several homes and businesses to make room for Arnold Parkway.
Everyone who spoke told council members that the plan is a step in the wrong direction.
They showed up early and packed the parking lot at Arnold City Hall. Once inside, about 200 people lined the walls and filled every seat at the city council meeting.
"I believe all of the city of Arnold should be outraged, and it looks like they are," said one person.
Citizen after citizen voiced their opposition.
Another woman said she was told the project was going to be approved and leaders were going to push for eminent domain.
Those in attendance fired off concerns about the Arnold Retail Corridor Transportation Development District's plan to build a 2-mile, two-lane road that would connect Highway 141 and Richardson Road.
"We didn't have a chance to vote on it. I think it's underhanded. It's useless," said Alan Luffy, who's lived in Arnold for more than 20 years.
City officials said the $75 million project would connect the city's northern and southern commercial districts. They claim acquiring a large section of the popular Water Tower Place Shopping Center and 38 homes is necessary to achieve the plan.
However, fuming neighbors said they do not want to give up their homes and businesses. At one point during the meeting, there was a heated exchange between Mayor Ron Counts and a neighbor.
On Monday, the owners of the shopping center filed a lawsuit to stop the project, claiming the city "acted in secret for the past three years to develop the plan."
Sarah Lurkins and her group, Citizens Against the Construction of Arnold Parkway, circulated a petition to recall the mayor and other council members.
"Nothing will be good for the city of Arnold if you build a road that's dangerous, and forcing people out of their homes and businesses out of the plaza," Lurkins said.
More than a dozen people spoke during the meeting, and not one supported the project. Nearly 4,000 residents also signed another petition against the project.
No final decision has yet been made.