After it didn't receive any redevelopment proposals for the Parsons House, the Jefferson City Housing Authority is once again asking for proposals.
The Housing Authority, acting as the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, began seeking proposals for 105 Jackson St. in January after obtaining the property through an eminent domain civil lawsuit against the former property owner, Barbara Buescher.
The Housing Authority held a well-attended open house of the property in mid-January, attracting more than 70 interested people. More than two years ago, community members listed it as the top priority property in the East Capitol Avenue Urban renewal Area.
Despite the interest, no redevelopment proposals were submitted by the March 1 deadline, Housing Authority Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch said.
"We were very disappointed because it was the most popular one in the opinion poll and had more than 75 people attend the open house, but I think the people who were looking for historical things on the inside were disappointed," Quetsch said.
Owned by Gen. Gustavus and Patience Parsons, the Parsons House was constructed in the 1830s. Gustavus Parsons served as a private secretary to President Thomas Jefferson. Their son, Monroe Mosby Parsons, was a well-known Confederate general who served as U.S. district attorney, in the Missouri House of Representatives and in the Missouri Senate before the Civil War.
After the home was renovated in the 1970s, Quetsch said, many historical aspects were removed or covered up. For example, there aren't any signs of the home operating as a hospital during the Civil War or of the original log cabin.
The Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority will accept redevelopers' proposals until the authority accepts one, according to a Thursday news release.
The authority will review the proposals at its monthly meeting beginning May 21.
The Housing Authority will hold another open house for potential redevelopers at 11:30 a.m. April 9 or upon request. Redevelopers requesting tours of 105 Jackson St. can contact the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority at [email protected] or 573-635-6163 extension 216.
The Housing Authority contacted the Missouri Historical Preservation Association to garner more interest in the home, Quetsch said. It is also looking to publicize 105 Jackson St. on websites that advertise older homes.
The requirements for the proposal can be found at jchamo.org/resident_information/index.php.
Quetsch said the Housing Authority doesn't yet have a plan for what to do if it doesn't receive a redevelopment proposal for the Parsons House.
"So many people said they wanted to save it, so hopefully someone will step forward and save it," Quetsch said.
The Parsons House was listed on historic preservation nonprofit Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation's Places in Peril list in 2016. The home is located in the East Capitol Avenue Historic District, which was added to the places in peril list in 2018.
In August 2017, the Housing Authority filed a civil suit against Buescher for 101 and 105 Jackson St. and Stephen Cheryl Bratten for 103 Jackson St. Cole County Judge Dan Green signed orders allowing the Housing Authority to take possession of both Jackson Street properties in December 2018. The Brattens voluntarily gave 103 Jackson St. to the Housing Authority in early 2018.
The Housing Authority has selected a redeveloper for 103 Jackson St. - known as the Standish House - but Quetsch said she could not reveal who the developer is until both parties sign a contract in mid-April.
Last November, the Housing Authority sold 608 E. State St. to Dustin Long, of Long Last Remodeling, who was the sole person to submit a proposal.
Quetsch said she could not reveal how many proposals the Housing Authority received for 103 Jackson St.
In a separate civil suit filed in August 2018, Cole County Presiding Judge Patricia Joyce ruled the Housing Authority has the right to take possession of seven Buescher properties once the Housing Authority pays the appraised value of the properties. Those properties are 500, 501, 507, 511 and 513 E. Capitol Ave., along with 504 E. State St. and 115 Jackson St.
In 2016, the Jefferson City Council approved the urban renewal zone - bordered by East State, Lafayette, East High, including some parcels on the south side of East High Street, and Adams streets. A study found the area was blighted due to deteriorating conditions of several properties.