Builders say housing is back!!

The National Association of Home Builders' index hit 52 in June, marking the first time it has been above 50 in seven years. A reading above 50 indicates that more builders say sales conditions are good rather than poor. The index has been posting gains for the last year, but those moves only indicated that builders thought the market was less bad than it had been.

"It's further confirmation of what we've felt for six months at least -- that the housing market is back and will continue to improve," said David Crowe, chief economist for the trade group.

June is typically a month when builders report slower activity, after the spring buying season peaks. But this year they're reporting better traffic levels and better sales conditions than they did in May.

The NAHB survey found that 41% of builders said current conditions are positive, almost double the percentage who said they were poor. A year ago, only 15% said conditions are good, while three times as many said it was a poor environment.

If you are looking for a lot to build or an existing home at the lake, please contact the Spouses Selling Houses team. Until next time!! Ebbie :)

Nichlos Road redesign takes next step

Osage Beach has taken the next step in upgrading a portion of what is expected to become a major intersection west of the Grand Glaize Bridge.

The board of aldermen Thursday night awarded an engineering services contract to HR Green to redesign Nichols Road from the Highway 54 expressway to near Osage Beach Parkway. The design will include a roundabout, landscaping and other features to create a boulevard-style roadway. A similar design was used for the reconstruction of Passover Road, including the roundabout.

The roundabout will be designed for a new entrance to the Lake Regional Hospital campus, and Lake Regional Health Systems will participate in the estimated $1.1 million project.

Cost of design services is estimated at $129,200. Engineering should be completed by the end of 2013 so construction can begin in 2014.

Property has been purchased and the area will be widened to accommodate the increased traffic and provide safe access to Lake Regional, the city's largest employer.

The project was first made public last February when it was announced that the city and LRHS would partner in the project. LRHS is expected to pay for the driveway from Nichols into its property near the Imaging Center. No breakdown of cost is available as yet.

Since the Expressway opened last year, Nichols Road from the highway to Osage Beach Parkway has seen an increase in traffic. Ambulances that serve the lake area now use the expressway, which has resulted in higher use of Nichols Road.

In addition, Camdenton School District's Osage Beach Elementary School will be relocated from Osage Beach Parkway to Nichols Road across from Sycamore Creek Golf Course clubhouse. Occupancy of the new school is anticipated for the 2014-15 school year.

Additional traffic from Osage Beach Parkway onto Nichols is anticipated because of the new school.

Lee C. Fine Airport

There were no comments during a public hearing on the city's request to extend the lease of Lee C. Fine Airport from the Department of Natural Resources for five more years.

As a result, the board authorized the mayor to request a five-year lease extension of the agreement to lease and operate the airport.

The board also authorized the mayor to pursue a grant agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to assist in funding the design and construction of fox hangars at Lee C. Fine. The city's portion of the engineering and construction will be $44,754.

At its June meeting, the board approved a contract in the amount of $688,272 for construction of a four pre-engineered box hangars at Lee C. Fine. The bid includes construction of a fourth hangar. Low bidder was Curtiss-Maynes-Schulte, Inc., of Eldon.