City looks for ways to repair MSP

Local leaders hoping for new terms with state

Mark Brandess with Brady's Paint and Glass cleans the windows after installing a glass enclosure to the entryway at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Improvements on the exterior of the facility were approved by the state Office of Administration and paid for through a Community Development Block Grant. (Caption revised May 16, 2012 to correct earlier error.) Photo by Julie Smith.

By Madeleine Leroux

Originally published May 13, 2012 at 5:56 a.m., updated May 16, 2012 at 10:59 p.m.

Editor's note: See the correction below.

Jefferson City officials are searching for ways to repair the historic units at the old Missouri State Penitentiary, but whether the state will allow them expanded access in return remains a question.

In the recent city town hall meetings, officials detailed a proposal to take $2 million from a previously scheduled project and put it toward repairs of the historic units.

Mayor Eric Struemph, in his presentation of the MSP project during the town hall meetings, said the cost to repair housing units one, three and four would be $3.8 million, though it would cost $8.9 million to preserve all of the MSP buildings. One possibility for funding would be to use $2 million currently set aside in the capital improvements sales tax funds for a road through the MSP property for repairs to the historic units instead, something a majority of attendees seemed in favor of doing.

Read additional details in our newspaper or e-Edition. Newspaper subscribers: Click on an e-Edition article and log in using your current account information at no extra charge. For e-edition help, e-mail circ@newstribune.com. Click here to purchase the full version of archived articles.

To see the CVB financial reports for MSP Tours from 2009-2012, and the existing agreement allowing CVB to conduct tours there, see www.newstribune.com/msp/

Correction, posted May 16, 2012: The original version of the photo caption accompanying this story was incorrect. It should have stated that improvements on the exterior of the Missouri State Penitentiary were approved by the state Office of Administration and paid for through a Community Development Block Grant.

More like this story

JCLifer 1 year ago

The city can't afford to fix and maintain its own property. Why does this Mayor want to spend city tax dollars to fix state-owned property?

What part of NO does the city hall/chamber not understand?

What part of PRIVATE INVESTORS does the city hall/chamber not understand?

centerguy56 1 year ago

Does No mean that a plan to use city saled tax f funds for these purposes if the city can secure a 10-15 year lease on the historic district so it can continue to operate the successful tours. if you look at the work of the MSP Action Team and their report they conclude that a for profit entity can not fund the capitol projects, the maintenance on the area (500k of more the last 5 years) and manage and run the tours for the fees being charged. So the solution: City commits to roads and exterior building repairs, state agrees to lease the Historic District use to the City/CVB and local tourism is substantially improved which leads to more spending of other peoples money in our community.......one of the legs of the Ecomomic Development Stool!!!.....lets just give it a try for a change!!!

JCLifer 1 year ago

Just like the Convention Center- let private investors build it and profit from it if it is such a great idea. We do not need to spend tax dollars on either one of these MONEY LOSER projects.

JCLifer 1 year ago

The Jefferson City economy is very weak. Good jobs are nearly non-existent. Families in this town are struggling just to feed their kids and keep the bank foeclisures away. Meanwhile the basic services of the city are underfunded. We need a mayor and a council to work to help the people, not just working to help the rich people on the Chamber.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Interesting post. what is your recipe for "more good jobs". Do you have some specifics on the basic services that are "underfunded". would you have a policy statement that would summarize what the mayor and council can do to help the people?

JCLifer 1 year ago

The mayor and council should work to increase the number of high-skill, high wage jobs in this town. They can work to attract employers of technology, biomedical, engineering, etc. firms. They can also work to raise the salaries of the existing jobs in this town, such as lobbying the State to improve its pay, relocate more skilled jobs here, stop contracting out the good paying jobs to out of town contractors, etc.

centerguy56 1 year ago

What is the WORK needed to do this? it is nice but its just a talking point!

JCLifer 1 year ago

Building trust, listening to the voters, acting on the voter's voters requests, refunding the ambulance tax, cutting waste in city government, enforcing building codes, getting very tough on drugs and crime, etc. Would all be good first steps. It isn't rocket science.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Ok so these are the solutions to increasing highwage jobs and attracting high tech employers? Really? Who are the Voters? I think you need to run for council or mayor?

JCLifer 1 year ago

You wanna contribute to my campaign?

centerguy56 1 year ago

Sure would. it would be worth the price of admission to see you work toward your "not rocket science" solutions! Maybe we could get the Mayor to turn it over to you for a month of even 6 and see what happens!

tonto_goldberg 1 year ago

Yes! Set up a PO box or something.

"Building trust, listening to the voters, acting on the voter's voters requests, refunding the ambulance tax, cutting waste in city government, enforcing building codes, getting very tough on drugs and crime, etc. Would all be good first steps. It isn't rocket science."

kentheco 1 year ago

The State of Missouri couldn't justify funding the necessary repairs, how can the City of Jefferson have the funding? Why not turn it over to private industry and let them maintain it and the city make money off of the tourism it's supposed to draw. The city could then use that money to help the Police Department fight the current rise in violent crime that is occurring in the city. Moreover, whoever takes over would spend their (not taxpayer) money and create jobs funded by the visitors and not the city coffers.

Gotigers 1 year ago

I guess I am in the minority on this board but this is the part of the Transformation tax that I would have voted for. That prison could be a huge tourist attraction for our town and benefit all the spin off business (restuarants, shopping, hotel) when people come to see this. We need to make the repair because the water is destroying the prison very quickly.

centerguy56 1 year ago

There is a lot of Misinformaton on this issue and other issues from the town hall. From what i can tell the broad concensus of those who have looked at the MSP project have indicated in printed reports that the main two projects that are needed at MSP are 1) Exterior renovations of Housing units 1,3, and 4. the estimate for the roofs, windows, masonry repair and tuckpointing and doors is 3.8m. 2) the road network for Lafayette to the extension of chestnut which as an estimated cost of 4m. the Housing Unit project would make the Tours much more viable and the roads would allow parcels identified in the Master plan to be accessed and therefor developable! they both need to be done ASAP to help create "critical Mass" in the development. The city needs to use the 2m identified in ST F for the joint road project with the county. then the city should appropriate as much of the $2.7m identified in sales tax F as transformation, ecomomic development and msp for that purpose and should do as much on the three building and possible. it is possible with this committment and an agreement from OA for a long term lease they may also contribute to the shortfall.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Ditto!!!

JCLifer 1 year ago

YThe dumpy old prison wouldn't be a tenth the tourist draw or revenue generator than a casino would be. This thing is a total lost cause for making money. It is a bottomless pit of repairs and updates for eating our tax dollars for a few dollarys.of.admissions. This thing is a mony loser.e

centerguy56 1 year ago

Ok so you want to tear it down and make a parking lot??

JCLifer 1 year ago

Is parking needed?

centerguy56 1 year ago

not if you tear everything down!! good idea, instead of adding more parking to downtown we could just tear the two rows of buildings down and pave them!

rodinman 1 year ago

I am against spending city money on state property, especially during the economic situation. I have one question in regards to this particular situation and that is why is there a need to preserve three housing units? It seems that a considerable amount of money sould be saved if only one housing unit was saved and tourists could still see what the old prison cells were like.

centerguy56 1 year ago

the purpose is to preserve the essence of the tours. these three buildings represent the broad range of corrections architecture used during the MSP history and the range of activities that are of the most interest to the tourists. these along with the gas chamber are the essence of the tour. i would assume you havent taken a tour? if not i would suggest you do soon so you can understand what the need is all about!

JCsleeper 1 year ago

What's it gonna cost to fix it? How much city tax revenue is it gonna bring to city coffers? Does the city get ownership? If it was worth saving, why didn't the state keep it? Next question.

centerguy56 1 year ago

re first question...read the earlier post..........the tax revenue and economic impact of the visitors will be considerable...the CVB has the data on the impact of the 17k people that toured in 2011..the city will get a long term lease!!!......thats all the city should want the exclusive use for doing the tours...the state HAS kept it.....but are doing nothing with it....it is way more important to us than the state......now your turn!

JCLifer 1 year ago

What is the ROI?

centerguy56 1 year ago

Does every govt expenditure have to have a ROI? NO, Because it can't be precisely calculated. EG, What is the ROI on the overlay program?, or the snow removal program?, or the animal shelter, etc. it will cost a certain amount of money to make these three buildings a great tourist attraction. This could lead to a big increase in visitors to JC. The question is, is this worth it? I say ABSOLUTELY!

JCLifer 1 year ago

Crazy pipe dreams of greedy people happy to spend other people's money.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Thats your answer? just more Talking points!

JCLifer 1 year ago

They mayor said he was going to run this town like a business. Everything has a ROI that can be calculated. The problem is that the data is not always known, and it is hard to put a fair value on intangibles. However, we need to ask why we should spend $3,800,000.00 of very scare taxpayer money on this old dump, and then we also need to know what the business plan is for purchasing/leasing it, ongoing repairs and maintenance, operational costs, advertising, ADA access upgrades, liability insurance, etc. Also, we need a detailed projection of where the incoming revenue wil be going- which business owners are going to b enefit from the tourists (how many tourists), etc. None of this has been disclosed to the taxpayers who are being asked to pay for this boondoggle. I suspect the reason why none of this has been discussed and disclosed is because the entire project is a huge money LOSER. The only "reason" the paper is saying that the Chamber might break even this year is because they have no rent or mortgage expense, no repairs or maintenance expense, the place has not been made safe or ADA accessible, the work is being done by volunteers, etc. They are also counting on the state just rolling over and giving the prison to the Chamber or the City, and they are counting on the State to make all the repairs and improvements.

The details are being well-hidden on the MSP project, and I do not like that one bit.

mleroux 1 year ago

For a complete look at the financials associated with running the MSP from the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, go to newstribune.com/msp.

Madeleine Leroux/ News Tribune reporter

centerguy56 1 year ago

As i understand the Tours the "Chamber" has NOTHING to do with them....it is the Convention and Visitors Bureau! Am i wrong? See ML's post on the financials.

JCLifer 1 year ago

Chamber = City = CVB = Good old boys rich families.

centerguy56 1 year ago

OK i might have expected that........just get your info right!

spelchek 1 year ago

Return On Investment

RobHunterJohnson 1 year ago

Where is the casino? Rob

centerguy56 1 year ago

whats the point in continuing to talk about a casino we will never have? We voted on it and it is in the Charter that we can't have one in the City. And we have also voted on a Statewide basis to limit them to those we now have. End of Story.

RobHunterJohnson 1 year ago

Change it back, we voted it in, they voted it out. It could still be their convention centers answer. Rob

centerguy56 1 year ago

Change the Statewide Vote? Are you serious?

RobHunterJohnson 1 year ago

Why not, we voted it in they voted it out. Rob

centerguy56 1 year ago

OK Rob! I wish common sense would sometimes take over on this forum! what are you talking about? who is " They" that voted it out? and who is "WE" who voted it in? Gaming in MO is a zero sum game now and for the next 20 years. And our very Conservative town/county will never let it happen! move on to something more likely than winning the MO Lottery!

JCLifer 1 year ago

I wish the state would just knock down the old MSP site and level the buildings and the walls. That would be the quickest way that the city could get over its obsession and coveting of property that doesn't even belong to it. The entire site is an eyesore, and it has done nothing but cause bad feelings and torn this community apart. Instead of honoring a place of punishment and suffering for hundreds of thousands of people, tear it down and move on.

The property is the State's. i would think they would want to keep it to someday build some more office space so they can consolidate things and get rid of a bunch of leases for slumlord office space scattered all over town.

Take some pictures and document the architecture before it crumbles further, and then TEAR IT DOWN.

JMO 1 year ago

I've heard old guards say that it'll never come down, because they don't want anyone excavating the grounds to put up new buildings....they might find some unfortunate things. Before I get laughed at as a conspiracy nut, I'm not saying that's true...but it's a common belief among the former long-term employees.

JCLifer 1 year ago

I do think they will find an environmental EPA mess on their hands. Clean up of years of improperly-handled toxic wastes can get very expensive.

centerguy56 1 year ago

did you realize ALL the environmental work has been done???......State/OA has the full report. why dont you check it out before you blow about stuff you dont know about!

JCLifer 1 year ago

Then what is the hold up? Why aren't they clearing the place and cleaning it up?

centerguy56 1 year ago

they are!!!!

asb 1 year ago

Actually a lot of environmental work has been done, but not all. Each demolition uncovers ground that hasn't seen the light of day since original construction and while it's usually rubble or trash pits, other delights await, I guarantee it. The DNR and Health buildings each found their own treasures.

asb 1 year ago

Lifer that is my gut reaction also, be done with the MSP structures, and while there may be a way to keep just enough to keep the tours a draw and such, I suspect the scale of the place is part of its success. I scoffed at the idea that Prison Brews could succeed on a prison theme, and maybe the beer, food and music really are the main reasons, but there it sits, a goldmine. The MSP architecture is important, but too expensive to maintain, and now only holds ghosts, rust, mold and memories too horrible to share. The wall is self defining and some of it could be preserved cheaply. If it were completely removed I don't think the rest would stand or make money. So, I guess I'm with your grumpy self on this one, tear it down and use the space to strengthen JC's administrative and entertainment functions.

JCLifer 1 year ago

Not grumpy- just trying to be real. Sure, a few business owners might profit from the "tourists", but I don't see this thing being a big money-maker, especially after paying for the ongoing maintenance, improvements, changes to make it ADA accessible, liability insurance, etc.

If the city leaders want this area to grow, they need to work toward getting higher wage jobs. Not only do they need to work to attract some higher wage skille job employers like Columbia has done, but they also need to work to raise the wages of the existing jobs in this town. When people have more disposable income, they will spend more money.

I just don't see an old prison complex for tourists being a high wage or effective way to improve the quality of life around here.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Lifer: hey any magic bullets about how to attract "higher wage job employers like Columbia"? and any idea on how to "raise the wages of the existing jobs in this town"? maybe you could click your heals three times and snap your fingers!!! I have read those 2 "talking points" in your posts ad nauseum! Start digging into these issues a little bit. Did you attend the Town Hall meetings? I assume you didn't because you seem to lack the basic understanding of this issue. You seem to be a smart person but you do what many do on this forum, put out tired old talking points instead of digging into the issues and making learned comments.

JCLifer 1 year ago

Yeah, it is not rocket science. Fix the infrastructure. Have good efficient transportation within and through town. Remove draconian policies, ordinances, etc. unfriendly to entrepreuneurs. Get a state of the art school system and increase rigor and relevance of the curriculum to guarantee high student achievement for all students. Get tough on crime, drungs,and gangs. Enforce building codes. Have excellent public transportation, Make this town an attractive town for new businesses and industries to locate here.

There is no magic Convention Center, Walking Trail, Sandbar development, Mud Tunnel under the tracks, Prison Tourism, Wear's Creek Riverwalk, etc. that is going to magically improve the local economy. It all boils down to doing the hard work to clean up and focus on the basics- stuff no one wants to talk about or handle.

You don't seem to have any ideas other than tax the citizens to death and build a convention center and city-owned hotel. Tax the citizens to death to rebuild the state-owned prison buildings to benefit just a few people. You don't see to have any answers, except some very lame projects to benefit a few rich people who are members of the chamber.

Souperstar 1 year ago

Gotta agree with Lifer. Don't go into business if it isn't profitable. I'm not the nostalgic type, especially with the money I earn NOW going toward something that will not benefit the taxpayers in the future. If there is no plan to make it profitable, there may as well be no plan...

And what is with people and the word "tourism" as they think it should apply to Jefferson City? Very aggravating. The nearest (fully functional) airport is hours away, we aren't getting many tourists and no one will come from far away for conventions.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Lots of good talking points! Does Columbia have all of this in Paragraph 1? where would you suggest the city look to find such a place?

JCLifer 1 year ago

What does Columbia have to do with this? Why are you talking about Columbia?

centerguy56 1 year ago

I thought we were talking about your list of "rocket science" remedies to grow our economy? Right? i was just wondering how many of these apply to the one of the largest growing populations in MO?

JCLifer 1 year ago

Springfield or St. Joseph would be much better models to look at. Not sure we want to be much like Columbia.

centerguy56 1 year ago

Are you aware of their growth or lack of growth over the last 10 years and whether your recipe has worked or been tried in those two places?

JCLifer 1 year ago

Yes, both towns have vibrant economies with much growth. St,.Joseph has a very nice mall that is quite busy. Just down the road a mile is a brand new outdoor shopping plaza that is also very nice and very busy.

Both towns have exceptionally good quality of life, plenty of amenities, and good-paying jobs, with great educational opportunities available at low cost for both academic, as well as state-of-the-art advanced technical skills. What's more, people are NICE and friendly to each other, and to outsiders. The cliques and secret associations are not apparent. Both towns are also very business-friendly, where a large number of private entrepreuners compete successfully with the wealth of chains and franchises.

rodinman 1 year ago

CityGuy, one very recent case comes to mind. The tattoo parlors in the downtown area. Go back and read about the hurdles the city council put in front of them, including having them close at 8pm (I hope I remember that correctly). Business hours should be left to the discretion of the business owner.

centerguy56 1 year ago

So you want to tear down one of the unique things we have! My gosh there are so many stupid comments on this site it just kills me.

JCLifer 1 year ago

And you want to save a bunch of dumpy old buildings that have outlived their usefulness, and tax the blazes out of the few working people to pay for your old buildings.

Yes, there are many stupid comments on this forum. There is no hope for this city with the kind of thinking that is controlling everything these days. All we have are greedy rich people trying to tax everyone else to death to pay for their hobbies. This town has no business trying to save a campus full of ancient large buildings that are crumbling. There is no future in it. There is no profit in it. It is just hogwash to divert money and attention from the real problems in this town. You are not part of the solution. you are the problem.

thatguyagain 1 year ago

The original proposition of spending millions of dollars on MSP did not sit well with me. Then I took a tour and wow did my point of view change. If you have ever travelled and absorbed the history of any place you've been you can appreciate how important MSP can be to preserving the past of Jefferson City while simultaneously bostering the future economic development. I'm not presuming nobody on this forum has taken the tour but I'm sure there are other non-posters who read these forums and that's my target audience. Before anyone decides the site is not worth saving based on patently negative news tribune forum posters, please take a tour while the buildings still stand and decide for yourself.

JCLifer 1 year ago

I have toured the place twice. It i kind of neat to see what is behind the walls, but I didn't see much of anything worth saving.

The old prison may be wonderful and interesting to some people. That is fine. If it is all that and a bucket of chicken, let PRIVATE INVESTORS purchase it and pay for restoration, upkeep, ADA compliance, and they can keep all the profits from tours, T-shirts, and coffee mug souveniers. I suspect that everyone knows that this place is not economically viable as a tourist attraction unless an unlimited source of TAX DOLLARS can be accessed to keep it going.

I do not think our city tax dollars need to be spent promoting and operating risky tourist stuff. This should be left for PRIVATE INVESTORS to invest and reap the rewards for their risk. City tax dollars need to be used for basic essential services.

RobHunterJohnson 1 year ago

Our very conservative town voted it in in 92, and they the right, for conversation voted it out. This was their best chance at a convention center, maybe we could use gambling state wide at Branson, Lake of the Ozarks, and Jefferson City. never been in a gaming parler in Missouri or anywhere else but smart enough to realize what we are missing. Rob

JCsleeper 1 year ago

Eysore. Doze it.

Please review our Policies and Procedures before registering or commenting

Or login with:

OpenID