One historic downtown home may see new life.
The local nonprofit Transformational Housing submitted a proposal to the Jefferson City Housing Authority for 101 Jackson St.
The Housing Authority acquired the property through eminent domain in 2019. The goal was to find a new owner who would restore the home and put it to use.
The property is one of nine the Housing Authority acquired through eminent domain in the area around Capitol Avenue as part of an effort to address blight in the area. It is the only one so far that doesn't have a new owner.
Transformational Housing is a faith-based organization that formed after the 2019 tornado, with a focus on addressing housing needs within the community -- specifically low-income housing.
The organization is nearly done renovating a multi-family home on Cherry Street and hopes to have tenants within the next two or three months.
Work is done largely through volunteers and with donations to the organization.
The organization is already looking at a property on East McCarty Street to renovate next. However, if it gets both properties, then it would work on two at the same time, the Housing Authority board was told Tuesday.
Mark Kiekhaefer, a board member and the pastor of Living Hope Church, said the plan is to have 40-50 apartment units set up during the next 10 years. If the Housing Authority board approves Transformational Housing's proposal, then 101 Jackson St. would become part of the vision.
One item on the to-do list for 101 Jackson St. is to lay new sewer line, Kiekhaefer said, which poses a potential problem. The sewer line would cross two vacant Housing Authority properties to reach the existing sewer system.
He suggested the Housing Authority could include 504 E. State St. and part of 514 E. State St. in a potential purchase of 101 Jackson St. The sewer line would cross 504 E. State St. and connect to the existing system on 514 E. State St.
If the Housing Authority didn't want to sell 504 and 514 E. State streets, he said, an easement for the sewer would need to be granted as part of a purchase agreement for 101 Jackson St.
The Housing Authority board tabled a decision on the proposal Tuesday.