The Steelville Forward Group met on May 26 at Dairy Isle to discuss plans for adding a troll sculpture to the Spring Street Bridge which they plan to present to the Board of Aldermen on June 16.

Resident Tamra Cape said the group would like to see more updates to Hoppe Spring Park.

The bridge connected Dairy Isle and Hoppe Spring Park for vehicle traffic before it was closed by MoDOT due to deteriorating structural damage.

Resident Miles Yeary will be presenting the plans to add the troll sculpture called “Happy the Troll” along the bridge.

“It is a vision for what they want to do for that bridge,” said Cape.

Cape said Steelville Forward comes up with ideas at their meetings to improve the town that go before the city for approval. City officials on June 1 tabled the decision to turn the bridge into a pedestrian bridge.

“Miles (Yeary) had this idea of turning this bridge into a covered bridge,” said Cape.

Cape said Yeary would like to turn the bridge into a dinner spot.

“We’ll have to figure out what we can do to raise the money for the projects,” said Cape.

Cape suggested that the group talk to the city about donating the bridge to the Steelville Arts Council. The group discussed adding signs at Hoppe Spring Park because it was difficult for visitors to navigate parking. There are spots to park at Hoppe Spring, but tourists don’t know where they’re located. Cape will ask the city to provide signs for the park.

“Hoppe Spring Park is iconic to Steelville,” said Cape.

Cape said the park’s spring doesn’t hold as much water as it used to because of heavy gravel build up. The spring feeds directly into the Yadkin Creek which is the main creek that flows through downtown.

Yeary suggested turning the Jonas Museum into a small motel.

The Day Lark Jonas Museum was vandalized onJan. 5 and 13 windows were allegedly destroyed by 28-year-old Rick Ray of Steelville. Ray on April 15 was charged with second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage by the Crawford County Circuit Court.

“Our town really needs a motel,” said Cape. “We’re going to have to do a lot of work to get it fixed.”

The group collaborates with the city on projects at meetings and then presents ideas to the board of aldermen. Steelville Forward has committees for advertising, Yadkin Creek and beautification.

The advertising committee works on promoting the town by partnering with the city and sharing their group efforts on Facebook and the Steelville Tourism website.

The Yadkin Creek committee works on clean up efforts for the town.

The beautification committee works on beautification efforts in the town of Steelville.

Steelville Forward partners with the city, tourism and other local community groups to revitalize the town. The next Steelville Forward meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on June 29 at 389 West Highway 8 in Steelville.