ARNOLD, Mo. — Plans for a proposed $75 million road project in the city of Arnold are not moving forward following litigation from business owners.
Arnold Parkway would have been a nearly two-mile road network to connect Richardson Road to Highway 141 and run parallel to I-55, linking the city’s northern and southern shopping districts.
To construct the north end of the road, the city would have needed to acquire approximately 41 homes and 10 businesses with some located in Water Tower Place, including Sugar Fire, Las Fuentes, Trek Bicycle and more.
Offers were made to purchase the properties by the city, which bought three homes.
The owners of Water Tower Place Shopping Center, who filed the lawsuit over the proposed plan, have accused the city of working secretly to acquire property and taking actions to hide the project from businesses, property owners and taxpayers.
The suit also alleges that the city had unlawfully interfered with Water Tower's leasing efforts. The suit states that in June, the city administrator called the owner of the Local House and encouraged him not to sign a lease to move into the former 54th Street location in the shopping plaza.
On Monday, it was announced that city officials and the Arnold Retail Corridor Transportation Development District are "no longer pursuing" the Arnold Parkway project.
The two entities will still complete the purchase of any properties still under contract if the property owners wish to complete the sale, and there will be no further efforts to acquire property, according to a statement.