Collaboration involving government may be the way of the future.
The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission is exploring collaboration to transform the public desire for a multipurpose building into reality.
As taxpayers tighten their purse strings, resulting in rejection of new or increased taxation, government entities will need to become more creative in financing new and ongoing projects and initiatives.
Collaborations and sponsorships are among the options.
Although the parks agency enjoys a dedicated sales tax funding stream, the $5 million it has identified for a multipurpose building remains well short of the anticipated $8 million price tag.
Through assistance from the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, the city agency is courting a not-for-profit group, Special Olympics Missouri, as a possible partner. Another possible collaboration would locate the building on a site owned by a separate political subdivision, the Jefferson City Public Schools.
And, in a possible public-private partnership, a private developer, not yet identified, is expected to offer a proposal in the future.
Collaborations have yielded mixed results.
Tiers of government - Jefferson City, Cole County and Missouri - have worked together successfully on road projects, most notably Missouri 179 and the soon-to-begin Lafayette Street interchange with the U.S. 50/63 Expressway.
Perhaps the most notable public-private effort was Jefferson City's failed attempt to select a private developer to build and operate a conference center.
A wrinkle in many collaborative efforts centers on the question of authority - who's in charge?
With regard to the conference center initiative, the city's proposed contribution and input centered on construction, not ongoing operations.
Concerning the proposed parks' multipurpose building, however, a prospective partner likely will want to share oversight of scheduling, activities, use, etc.
Parks commissioners are aware that they must iron out the concern. Commissioner Brad Bates said the agency must determine programming needs before it can evaluate whether a partnership would work.
He is exactly right. City residents are seeking a multipurpose building so they will have a venue for indoor sports and activities.
Construction of a facility that fails to serve public needs solves nothing.
The Parks and Recreation Commission must determine minimal requirements and expectations. Prospective partners deserve a clear picture of what criteria they must meet or exceed, as well as what limits and constraints to expect.