‘It’s a missed opportunity’: Alderman disappointed new building on Ozark Square failed

OZARK, Mo. – The bill that would have allowed a new building on the Ozark Square failed last night by one vote.

While some people are proud of their city leaders, others say it was a missed opportunity.

“I think there was some resistance to change that turned just short of hysteria in rejecting it,” said Alderman Bruce Galloway, who supported the bill.

It would have allowed the architecture firm Torgerson Design Partners to build in the empty spot on the square after a building collapsed in 2022.

“The building fell. It’s a vacant lot,” Galloway said. “There’s a lot just down the street here on the square that’s been vacant for 31 years. It’s very hard to find anybody that’s interested in building in such a tight footprint.”

The architecture firm created a design based on a city ordinance saying the building had to fit the aesthetic of the historic square but could not deceive people into thinking it was historic.

The controversy sparked online with some approving of the design and others concerned about the modern look.

“It’s a missed opportunity for the square here,” Galloway said.

Galloway says the design did have all of the elements that were asked of the building.

“We are charged with making decisions based on the laws that we wrote,” Galloway said. “And under the laws that we wrote we really should have approved that proposal.”

Cailey Krisak works just off the square and wants to see something different occupy the spot.

“I feel like we need to get something in there,” Krisak said. “I think it would be better if we put something in there that maybe more of us as a community could kind of enjoy.”

“I’m confident that this issue will at some time be revisited and with calmer heads and a more seasoned and open approach,” Galloway said.

The architecture firm still owns the land so nothing can happen without their approval.

OzarksFirst did reach out to the firm but did not hear back.

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