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Mayor has plan for tourism center in old Millbottom area
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By Kris Hilgedick
khil@newstribune.com
Mayor John Landwehr laid out his vision for a new tourism center for Jefferson City, asking his fellow council members for help in realizing the project.
Three council members - Jane Smith, Richard Koon and Ron Medin - volunteered to serve on a ad-hoc committee to see if they could bring the idea to life.
“It's an intricate project and it would be wonderful it if occurred,” said Landwehr. “But there's no certainty in it.”
As conceived by Landwehr, the former AmerenUE site - located west of the Capitol in the former Millbottom - would be the site of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and perhaps the state's Division of Tourism.
Landwehr lamented Jefferson City doesn't have a place where passers-by can learn about the community's amenities. And he noted the state's tourism office is located on the fifth floor of the Truman Office Building - not exactly accessible.
“Even the Capitol doesn't have a place for strangers to park and find out what's available,” he said.
The mayor noted the city first acquired the land several years ago when city officials needed land to install a sewer pump station. The buildings at the site were an afterthought.
And now the mayor is thinking about them.
“I think the front section probably has only marginal fair market value,” he conceded.
He noted two problems with the property. First, buildings are located in the flood plain along Wear's Creek. Second, the site is still home to extensive utility infrastructure - massive pipes, tanks, etc.
“The infrastructure is staggering,” he said, estimating the land has little, if any worth. “That's the bad news.”
The good news, he added, is the land - if transferred to private ownership - could qualify for various state tax credit programs and new construction could be elevated above the flood zone.
Landwehr noted a former railroad trolley barn (the land adjoins the Union Pacific railroad) also has potential as a rehabilitated structure.
“Parks and Recreation might find it attractive as a public meeting place,” he said.
He believes the renovation of the front half of the property would increase the value of the back half. “It would be more useable, more valuable,” he described.
Landwehr's original concept included finding a permanent home for the CVB. But when he approached state officials to see if they wanted to participate, they wanted to know: “Would there be room for the entire Division of Tourism?”
An architect's floor plan revealed the old brick buildings likely would offer adequate room to offer adequate office cubicle space.
Another stumbling block, however, is state rental rates are very low. He said the state rarely rents office space for more than $10 to $11 per square foot - too low to renovate a structure with élan.
“This is not a slam dunk,” said Landwehr. “But it's worthy of further examination.”
Medin, who represents the Fifth Ward, saw the promise of the project, saying it “adds fuel to the fire” by showing that council members are dedicated to rebuilding the older sections of town.
In other business, the council:
€ Learned the city would be a “finish city” in the Tour of Missouri 2008, a statewide bicycle race. The news means more visitors will likely visit and stay in Jefferson City this fall to watch riders conclude a leg of their journey, Sarah Stroesser with the CVB said.
€ Heard a update on a recycling pilot program. The project was an attempt to discover how city residents would respond to curbside recycling.
€ Approved a $100,000 supplemental appropriation from the city's general fund. The money will pay for pre-development services for a hotel and conference center.
Three council members - Jane Smith, Richard Koon and Ron Medin - volunteered to serve on a ad-hoc committee to see if they could bring the idea to life.
“It's an intricate project and it would be wonderful it if occurred,” said Landwehr. “But there's no certainty in it.”
As conceived by Landwehr, the former AmerenUE site - located west of the Capitol in the former Millbottom - would be the site of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and perhaps the state's Division of Tourism.
Landwehr lamented Jefferson City doesn't have a place where passers-by can learn about the community's amenities. And he noted the state's tourism office is located on the fifth floor of the Truman Office Building - not exactly accessible.
“Even the Capitol doesn't have a place for strangers to park and find out what's available,” he said.
The mayor noted the city first acquired the land several years ago when city officials needed land to install a sewer pump station. The buildings at the site were an afterthought.
And now the mayor is thinking about them.
“I think the front section probably has only marginal fair market value,” he conceded.
He noted two problems with the property. First, buildings are located in the flood plain along Wear's Creek. Second, the site is still home to extensive utility infrastructure - massive pipes, tanks, etc.
“The infrastructure is staggering,” he said, estimating the land has little, if any worth. “That's the bad news.”
The good news, he added, is the land - if transferred to private ownership - could qualify for various state tax credit programs and new construction could be elevated above the flood zone.
Landwehr noted a former railroad trolley barn (the land adjoins the Union Pacific railroad) also has potential as a rehabilitated structure.
“Parks and Recreation might find it attractive as a public meeting place,” he said.
He believes the renovation of the front half of the property would increase the value of the back half. “It would be more useable, more valuable,” he described.
Landwehr's original concept included finding a permanent home for the CVB. But when he approached state officials to see if they wanted to participate, they wanted to know: “Would there be room for the entire Division of Tourism?”
An architect's floor plan revealed the old brick buildings likely would offer adequate room to offer adequate office cubicle space.
Another stumbling block, however, is state rental rates are very low. He said the state rarely rents office space for more than $10 to $11 per square foot - too low to renovate a structure with élan.
“This is not a slam dunk,” said Landwehr. “But it's worthy of further examination.”
Medin, who represents the Fifth Ward, saw the promise of the project, saying it “adds fuel to the fire” by showing that council members are dedicated to rebuilding the older sections of town.
In other business, the council:
€ Learned the city would be a “finish city” in the Tour of Missouri 2008, a statewide bicycle race. The news means more visitors will likely visit and stay in Jefferson City this fall to watch riders conclude a leg of their journey, Sarah Stroesser with the CVB said.
€ Heard a update on a recycling pilot program. The project was an attempt to discover how city residents would respond to curbside recycling.
€ Approved a $100,000 supplemental appropriation from the city's general fund. The money will pay for pre-development services for a hotel and conference center.
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boscoe wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:56 PM: