UPDATE: PorchFest has been canceled due to the threat of inclement weather, so the HCJ Foundation fundraiser kickoff is also canceled. Organizers of the fundraiser say the campaign will still be officially underway as of Oct. 8, and they will be sending out letters and appeals and asking people to get involved through other means.
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EARLIER COVERAGE:
While artists are set to perform and paint on porches along East Capitol Avenue this afternoon, the Historic City of Jefferson Foundation hopes to use the anticipated crowds to raise awareness of its new historic preservation fundraising efforts for the area.
Music and food trucks will fill East Capitol Avenue today as the second PorchFest takes place 1-4 p.m. in the 500-700 blocks. During PorchFest, the HCJ Foundation - which is closely affiliated with the Historic City of Jefferson organization - will kick off its first large fundraising project to encourage restoration in the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Zone.
As the Jefferson City Housing Authority moves forward with condemning homes in the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Zone, the nonprofit hopes to raise $55,000 for a Capitol Avenue Restoration Fund to help with rehabilitation efforts.
If a buyer does not step forward to purchase and restore one of the properties condemned and put up for sale by the Jefferson City Housing Authority, HCJ Foundation Vice President Steve Veile said, the foundation will use those funds to purchase and temporarily hold the property until a buyer steps forward.
"I think there will be a number of properties that will come available, and one of our greatest concerns is one of these historic properties would become available and nobody would step forward to want to buy it and rehab it," said Veile, who is serving as the Capitol Avenue Restoration Fund manager. "So the initial purpose of the Capitol Avenue Restoration Fund is to put some money together to come to the rescue should that happen. We'd hate to see a property demolished just because, at least temporarily, there's no one available."
If buyers are readily found for potential future condemnations in the area, the HCJ Foundation will use the funds to help individuals and entities secure and restore properties.
To give people a vision of what these potential restoration projects could look like, PorchFest visitors can take a free tour of the first floor of Communique Inc., 512 E. Capitol Ave., which was built in 1873 and restored in 1983. While touring the building, individuals, groups and businesses can make cash donations or pledges to the restoration fund.
Those who want to "make a more substantial contribution" can take pledge cards, with consideration of a down payment at PorchFest and annual pledges to the fund over three to five years, Veile said.
The HCJ Foundation plans to send letters to financial institutions, corporations and organizations that might want to donate to the cause. The foundation also might host future fundraisers.
"We believe there are a lot of people in the community who would be interested in helping out," Veile said. "They see a serious need here. Not everybody has the ability or interest in buying a building and rehabbing it, but a lot of folks in town would like to do something to bring this area back to the way it was in the late 1800s."
Those who wish to contribute or get involved in the restoration process can contact Veile at 573-635-3265 or [email protected].
The Housing Authority opened 608 E. State St. for potential redevelopers to inspect Wednesday. The property is the first in the urban renewal zone to become available for redevelopment, according to a Housing Authority news release.
The Housing Authority, acting as the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, is accepting proposals to redevelop the property until 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Proposals may be submitted at 1040 Myrtle Ave. in Jefferson City.
As of Thursday, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority had not received any proposals for redevelopment, Housing Authority Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch said. Seven people viewed the inside of 608 E. State. St. during the inspection Wednesday, she added.
The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority will review proposals Nov. 20 during a closed session.
The full request for proposal can be found at jchamo.org/resident_information/index.php.
The developer must begin renovations within four months of the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority selecting the developer. Construction must be completed within 18 months, and the building must be occupied within three months after construction completion.
The Housing Authority purchased the property, which previously was owned by the Ousley Group LLC, according to MidMoGIS.
The Housing Authority is in the process of condemning 101, 103 and 105 Jackson St. after filing a civil suit in August 2017.
Barbara Buescher owns 101 and 105 Jackson St. and was given 90 days in September to make improvements to the properties. If she does not, the Housing Authority will take possession of the buildings.
Buescher's attorney, Thomas Snider, could not be reached for comment.
Stephen and Cheryl Bratten previously owned 103 Jackson St. but voluntarily gave the property to the Housing Authority earlier this year.
In a second eminent domain civil suit filed in August, the Housing Authority seeks to acquire 500, 501, 507, 511 and 513 E. Capitol Ave., along with 504 E. State St. and 115 Jackson St. - all owned by Buescher.
Between the condemnation civil suits and the infrastructure improvements Jefferson City and Cole County made last year - repairing sidewalks, planting new trees, adding bicycle lanes and laying brick pedestrian paths - Veile said he hopes the community can gradually restore the area.
"We've got to come rescue these buildings," he said. "We've got to get them back in shape. Anybody can see what this could be and what it will be, but it's going to take the city, Housing Authority, groups like ours to bring all of the resources we can to bring this historic area of Jefferson City back to life."
In 2016, the Jefferson City Council approved the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Zone - bordered by East State, Lafayette, East High and Adams street - after a study deemed the area blighted due to deteriorating conditions of some properties.