If passed, Transformation would begin nine projects in the Old Town and Downtown areas, aimed at improving streets and pedestrian walkways, as well as housing, parking and development.
From the potential creation of an entertainment district in Old Town to a new Downtown parking garage, these projects are being promoted as ways to encourage residents to shop, eat and live in these areas of Jefferson City. The summaries and costs of each proposed project within Old Town and Downtown follows.
• Old Town streetscape improvements
What would it do? It would provide funds for property acquisition and redevelopment within the Old Town area to help stimulate redevelopment and make properties available to the general public. It would operate as a not-for-profit redevelopment corporation.
What would it cost? $2 million
• Capitol Avenue streetscape improvements
What would it do? It would provide funds for streetscape improvements, such as sidewalks, lighting and benches, for the 400, 500 and 600 blocks of Capitol Avenue. The improvements are being encouraged to provide a pedestrian friendly avenue connecting the downtown to the old Missouri State Penitentiary and stimulate business and residential growth along the corridor.
What would it cost? $1.3 million
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• Old Town property acquisition fun
What would it do? It would develop a loan program with more generous terms than are otherwise available from lending institutions to encourage rehabilitation of single family housing in the area. The loans would be combined with existing city programs to provide down payment assistance and tax abatement for eligible properties. The fund would be handled by the Old Town Redevelopment Company, with $2.5 million in private investment from local banks. The company would acquire properties to sell to those who would improve and rehab the homes.
What would it cost? $200,000
• Central East End streetscape improvements
What would it do? It would put in new underground utilities, new sidewalks to encourage uniformity as well as walking and biking throughout the neighborhood, historic lighting to promote feeling safe and secure in the area and support for street side cafe options. It would also brand neighborhood signage with specific colors: black for Downtown, red for Old Munichburg, green for the East Side, as well as other distinctive signage.
What would it cost? $1.5 million
• Central East End Entertainment, parking property acquisition and development
What would it do? It would seek to create a designated area in the Central East End of Old Town for the development of entertainment venues that would have its own set of distinct rules and regulations. Within the established district, it would relax parking codes and promote shared parking arrangements for existing lots. It also would seek the acquisition and development of small "pocket parking lots," as well as allow multiple uses for existing lots with the addition of a pavilion roof to provide a venue for outdoor markets, music and entertainment. It would look to provide a new noise ordinance within the district to "strike a middle ground between the needs of entertainment venues and their residential neighbors."
What would it cost? $1 million
• Downtown parking garage and pass through
What would it do? It would construct a new parking structure in the Hawthorne Bank lot behind the 100 block of High Street. The structure would be five stories and 440 spaces with a grade access to High Street. It also would create a pass through on the south side of the 100 block of High Street with public restrooms.
What would it cost? $6.95 million
• Downtown water infrastructure improvements
What would it do? It would fund a supplemental water main under Commercial Way to provide an adequate water supply to sprinkler condos, lofts and apartments on the north side of High Street.
What would it cost? $175,000
• Downtown streetscape and sidewalk improvements
What would it do? It would provide for a 90/10 cost share arrangement to improve the sidewalks on High Street, from Adams Street to Lafayette Street, as well as the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of High Street, including new lighting.
What would it cost? $1.2 million
• Old Town trolley acquisition
What would it do? It would develop and implement a circulating trolley system to connect various destinations and operate as a viable local transport system for Downtown and the nearby east and south sides. It would be supplemented by a charter system to make the public trolley viable and solvent, and be a mostly private enterprise to provide for more flexibility in management. It would supplement existing city transportation by providing service during evenings, weekends and holidays.
What would it cost? $150,000
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Correction made on Feb. 5, 2012: "Old Town streetscape improvements" was originally mislabeled in the text above when this article was first posted. The title has since been corrected.