Wellness Center blasting to begin

Blasting to remove rock on the east side of Lafayette Street, for the construction of the new Lincoln University-Jefferson City Parks Wellness and Multipurpose Recreation Center, will begin Thursday, reducing parking along Lafayette Street near Jefferson City High School.

Jason Turner, a Jefferson City Fire Department division chief, said the blasting permit runs for several weeks, but the actual work is expected to take about two weeks - depending on the weather.

The contractor, Twehous Excavating, will stop traffic when the blasting occurs.

Turner said the blasting will occur occasionally during daylight hours.

The wellness/multipurpose center is a joint project of the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and Lincoln University.

While LU will oversee the construction project, the building will be jointly owned. The center will be located on the south end of Lincoln's main campus, along Lafayette Street opposite the Jefferson City High School complex.

Sircal Contracting Inc. of Jefferson City was awarded the bid in December to build the Wellness Center.

The building project is slated for completion by Jan. 30, 2017.