Jefferson City Housing Authority continues to seek proposals for Parsons House

The Parsons House sits at 105 Jackson St.
The Parsons House sits at 105 Jackson St.

The Housing Authority is struggling to find a redeveloper for one of the oldest homes in Jefferson City.

The Jefferson City Housing Authority began seeking proposals for the Parsons House at 105 Jackson St. in January and even held a well-attended open house of the property later that month, but it did not receive any proposals by the March 1 deadline.

The Housing Authority, acting as the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, sought redevelopment proposals again in late March but had not received any proposals as of Tuesday, Housing Authority Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch told the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.

A few developers were interested in the property, Quetsch added, but they later told the Housing Authority that 105 Jackson St. "wasn't the right property" for them.

The Housing Authority will continue to request bids, Quetsch told the News Tribune.

The requirements for the proposal can be found at jchamo.org/resident_information/index.php.

The Historic City of Jefferson organization plans to help the Housing Authority advertise properties in the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Zone, starting with the Parsons House, HCJ Vice President Jane Beetem said. Advertising online may attract redevelopers outside of Jefferson City and Missouri, she added.

"We keep hearing bits and pieces as word gets out that this is happening beyond Missouri borders," Beetem told commissioners. "The excitement is there, but it's just not the right project and time."

The Housing Authority filed a civil lawsuit against Barbara Buescher for 101 and 105 Jackson St., and Stephen and Cheryl Bratten for 103 Jackson St. in August 2017. The Housing Authority took possession of both Jackson Street properties earlier this year, and the Brattens voluntarily gave 103 Jackson St. to the Housing Authority in early 2018.

The Housing Authority may soon have more properties up for redevelopment. Last month, it paid $203,000 for seven properties in the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Zone.

In August 2018, the Housing Authority filed a civil suit against Buescher asking to take possession of 500, 501, 507, 511 and 513 E. Capitol Ave., along with 504 E. State St. and 115 Jackson St.

The court appointed commissioners to appraise the properties.

The property at 500 E. Capitol Ave. was appraised for $52,000.

The property at 501 E. Capitol Ave. was appraised for $32,000.

The property at 507 E. Capitol Ave. was appraised for $20,000.

The property at 511 E. Capitol Ave. was appraised for $18,000.

The property at 513 E. Capitol Ave. was appraised for $20,000.

The property at 504 E. State St. was appraised for $12,000.

The property at 115 Jackson St. was appraised for $49,500.

The Housing Authority also paid $7,500 to the commissioners.

"We have ownership now, but we don't have possession," Quetsch said, adding the Housing Authority won't take possession of the properties until Cole County Presiding Judge Patricia Joyce rules it can. A hearing is set for June 3.

Joyce ruled last winter the Housing Authority has the right to take possession of the seven properties if the Housing Authority pays the appraised value of the properties.

The Housing Authority found redevelopers for 101 and 103 Jackson St., as well as 608 E. State St.

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, and Adams streets - in 2016. A study found the area was blighted due to deteriorating conditions of several properties.