Jefferson City residents will once again have the opportunity to explore historic buildings - some renovated, others in need or restoration - during the May 18 Hidden Spaces, Secret Places tour.
The event is in its fourth year, and will feature several properties never seen before on the tour. Downtown Association president Stephanie Bell said the tours, a cooperative effort of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jefferson City and the Old Town Redevelopment Company, have had a huge interest in the past.
Like previous years, the event will include a trolley transporting participants among the spaces. Several buildings featured are downtown, others are on the east side near the old state penitentiary, and others are located on the south side of town. Among the buildings included on the tentative map are the old Merchant's Bank Building, Wilson's Yoga Studio, Rasmussen Home, Shryrack Hirst Building and several others.
The U.S. Post Office, which houses the old federal courthouse, will also be featured. Bell said to her knowledge, the downtown space is in its original state, and will be rented out this summer. "This is people's last chance to go in and see the old courthouse as it was," Bell said.
Although the tour has proved very popular, a set of workshops is also being held to coincide with the event, giving it even more depth.
"I think a lot of people are seriously considering redevelopment," Bell said. This year those interested can get a little more information as to how to begin that process. Four workshops will be held to equip people with resources, contacts and ideas should they be looking to invest in an old space and bring it back to life.
In conjunction with the Hidden Spaces, Secret Places tour, sticky notes were placed on the window of 118 E. High St., in downtown Jefferson City. Those passing by are asked to jot down what types of businesses they would like to see in downtown. The notes were placed Friday evening and already have suggestions including an arcade, a yoga studio, and a Mexican restaurant.
"They went over really well last year," Bell said of the notes. Some of last year's suggestions have even come to fruition, including the independent movie theater that recently opened.
"We always like to see people's wishes and hopes for downtown. We hope there are people out there that can make those things happen," Bell said.
The May 18 tour costs $5 per person and runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hidden Spaces Secret Places
Redevelopment Workshops
When: Sunday, May 18, 2014
Where: Capitol City Cinema, 126 E. High (1:00 & 2:00 Sessions) and Capitol City CORK, 124 E. High (3:00 & 4:00 Sessions)
1:00 p.m.
Call Before You Start: An Introduction to the City Permitting Process
City of Jefferson: Available Incentives
Panelists: Janice McMillan, Director of Planning & Protective Services, City of Jefferson
Jayme Abbott, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, City of Jefferson
2:00 p.m.
Use of Solar Energy in Downtown Redevelopment
Panelists: Mike Odneal, Vice President, Missouri Solar Applications, LLC
Ken Luebbering, Grace Episcopal Church
3:00 p.m.
An Introduction to State Historic Tax Credits
Panelist: Nathan Potter, Manager of Development Finances, Dept. of Economic Development
4:00 p.m.
Q&A with Experienced Builders, Developers, & Friends of Downtown
Panelists: Jim Wisch, President, Wavco Construction
Vaughn Prost, Owner & President, Prost Builders, Inc.
Shannon Wade, Owner, Real Property Improvements
Workshops will last approximately twenty to thirty minutes each, with time for questions following each session.