Southwest Missouri News--Forsyth

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Mary Engler-Guccione, Joplin area

According to Ted Mokry, program manager for the Forsyth Beautification and Betterment Projects, his downtown organization will participate in the Missouri Community Assessment Program (MoCap). The Forsyth Board of Aldermen Oct. 27 approved Forsyth Beautification's participation.

Mokry said Forsyth Beautification is currently working on its downtown revitalization plans that include extended circular islands for sidewalks at the intersection of Main and David streets.

"Each (island) will be connected by paver walkways," he said. Other improvements will be the addition of park benches and a pedestrian street light system to replace the existing cobra lights.

"We've also been approved for a grant with Branch-Out Missouri, a tree-planting grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation, a couple of weeks ago," Mokry said.

He said the downtown organization has also been approved for 70 percent 1998-1999 Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits.