If passed, Transformation would attempt to maximize both access to and opportunities with the Missouri River along the Millbottom, which is the area along the river banks and primarily consists of an old power plant and several state parking lots. Through five projects, the Transformation initiative would look to develop a master plan for the area, improve and redevelop Wears Creek, look for new uses for vacant structures and develop strategies to work with or around the existing Union Pacific rail yard to encourage further riverfront development.
The Transformation plan contends that the Missouri River is one of the unique attractions of Jefferson City and looks to encourage development around and access to the area.
• Millbottom, adaptive reuse project
What would it do? It would redevelop the vacant former bus station in the Millbottom area into a transportation and information center, which could be used by Katy Trail users and Capitol area visitors to learn more about the area.
What would it cost? $199,000
• Millbottom, directional signage
What would it do? It would install signage to identify the Millbottom as a gateway or front door to Jefferson City. It also would recognize the historic significance of different areas and structures.
What would it cost? $100,000
• Millbottom, riverfront master plan
What would it do? It would create a plan to address river access issues, riverfront enhancement and habitat revitalization, as well as evaluate both visual and physical links to the river. It also would look to create strategies for engaging the public in Wears Creek and riverfront cleanups, and other activities where the public can get involved in the area. The plan would study possible further expansion of the Noren Access into a North Riverfront Park and create a separate plan for the watershed along the river.
What would it cost? $475,000
• Millbottom, Wears Creek beautification
What would it do? It would encourage the continued "stream clean" of Wears Creek to improve the appearance and appeal of the creek, perform selected removal and thinning of trees along the creek banks, establish areas with park benches and tables, and encourage natural plantings and bank stabilization throughout the creek corridor. It also would work with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to try to remove large concrete and other debris from Wears Creek. The project also would entail an attempt to reconfigure parking lot layouts in the Millbottom area to allow the same number of spaces in a smaller footprint, as well as a creek-side trail extension of the Greenway and a park-like area near the creek.
What would it cost? $150,000
• Union Pacific, yard relocation plan
What would it do? It would evaluate a railroad relocation plan aimed at working with Union Pacific on potentially relocating the current rail yard from the Millbottom area to either the Cole Junction Bottom area or the Algoa area.
What would it cost? $200,000
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