Tuesday, March 4, 2008 4:09 PM CST

UPDATED: Banners to herald St. Ann's 60th anniversary

By Buck Collier

It will be hard not to know that St. Ann is having a special birthday celebration this spring. Those driving through the town will be regularly reminded.

Three dozen blue-and-white banners will hang from utility poles to herald the city's 60th anniversary.

St. Ann became a city on April 13, 1948. It will mark the occasion this April 13 with an open house at City Hall, aimed at giving residents and visitors a look at the building's recent renovation work.Parks and Recreation Department chief Kurt Clauss said the banners will be installed along St. Charles Rock Road, Ashby Road, International Plaza, Cypress Road and at places like the community center.

Mayor Tim James said the plan calls for the banners to be put up as soon as the weather improves.

The city also is adding a new digital sign in front of City Hall. The sign will offer announcements of special events, meetings and other information. Messages on the sign will change regularly, officials said. The mayor said the new sign should be in place by April 1.

The open house will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 13. James said those touring the facility will have an opportunity to meet the various city officials and employees, who will be at their desks during the open house.

Also, visitors can get a look at the renovation work done to St. Ann's jail, a remodeling project that has allowed the city to contract with other local municipalities to hold their inmates and generate revenue for St. Ann.