John Biggs honored for his vision of East Street

Webb City officials recently realized it is high time that former mayor John Biggs be recognized for his vision to develop the East Street corridor.

Long before Atwoods, Sleep Inn, Flat Creek and Tee Time came around, Biggs had an uphill battle convincing other city leaders that the reclaimed outer bounds of the mining activity on the east side of town could become an economic growth area.

Building the roundabout on Highway 171, as the Missouri Department of Transportation required, instead of an intersection, was the first obstacle.

Current Mayor Lynn Ragsdale recalled teasing Biggs about a “roundabout to nowhere.”

He said that during a ceremony Tuesday honoring Biggs by dedicating a park bench that’s been installed at Tee Time.

Biggs was unable to attend, but he was represented by his wife, Jean, and some of their friends.

“He was more stubborn than the rest of us,” added Ragsdale.

Tom Reeder, former councilman and public works director, acknowledged the East Street development wouldn’t have happened without Biggs’ leadership.

City Administrator Carl Francis remarked that the momentum of developing East Street is not done.