The Jefferson City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday, giving the city permission to solicit potential redevelopers to restore nearly 32 acres of the old Missouri State Penitentiary.
The request for qualification document will be issued March 27. The deadline to submit questions would be May 3; responses to the questions due from the city by May 10. Responses to the RFQ are due May 17.
"This will really do a lot to move our community forward on this project," Ward 5 Councilman Mark Schreiber said.
Through the RFQ, the city can seek developers capable of building a project on the site before it solicits proposals for the site uses. Jefferson City Counselor Ryan Moehlman previously said this process will allow the city to select a developer that has enough capital and experience to do a project on the 31.28-acre site.
The 31.28 acres lies between the historic site and Chestnut Street, including some right-of-way areas and the old shoe factory on the property. The redevelopment site does not include the historic buildings used for the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau's prison tours. The historic buildings remain in the state's possession.
The RFQ contains information about the project and the developer qualifications the MSPCP desires.
City staff has spoken with 15-20 developers who have been involved in projects similar to what is being envisioned at MSP, Moehlman said last week, adding he expected the RFQ to garner more interest.
Developers interested can submit their bids with details of their envisioned project and the city will review them. After selecting possible developers, the MSPCP will hold interviews with each one and select a few pre-qualified developers for the project. MSPCP will then send detailed request for proposals to those pre-qualified developers. After pre-qualified developers bid on the project, the MSPCP will select a developer for the project.
Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin said she was excited the city is now seeking qualified developers.
"It's something that shows that progress is happening and that this project is going to happen," she said, adding it was a collaboration between state, county, local and economic development leaders.
Missouri conveyed the nearly 32-acre site to the city last summer. The city must select a developer within two years of the conveyance and start construction within four years, according to an agreement between the city and state.
Primary proposed uses for the site include hotels, entertainment venues, office buildings, museums and convention centers, according to the agreement between the city and state. Developers also could construct secondary uses like full-service and fast-casual restaurants, bars, coffee shops and retail establishments, as long as these features do not exceed 10,000 square feet each. Parking structures, green spaces and pedestrian plazas also could be built on the site.
Traditional fast-food restaurants, retail or restaurant establishments with drive-thru facilities, an enclosed shopping mall, and other residential uses other than condominium units and loft-style apartments will not be allowed.
All structures and improvements must be of similar style to the existing MSP historic structures, according to the agreement.
Hastings Road short-term rental
In other business, the council approved 8-2 property owners Judy and Danny Bryant's request for a special exception permit to operate a short-term rental at 2059 Hastings Road. The Bryants purchased the home last year and have a finished basement they want to rent out.
Judy Bryant said they have wanted to operate a short-term rental for several years and would be at their home when they rent the basement out. She added they will put up a privacy fence, install a security system, have a no-alcohol policy and implement quiet hours to ease neighbors' worries.
Several property owners spoke against the request, with many saying they were worried about increased crime, lower property values, decreased parking, privacy issues and children's safety.
Hastings Road resident Greg Wene said he was not against short-term rentals but did not believe it was compatible for the neighborhood.
"Our neighborhood is a single-family and we would like to keep it like that," he said. "We're not against Airbnb. They belong in some places but not in our neighborhood."
Judy Bryant told the council they will do background checks on the people they rent to.
"Some think all we're going to rent to is sex offenders and felons," she said. "The world has changed and you have to be careful of where you live and travel. This is our home and we're not going to add to that worry."
Other residents who spoke in favor of the application said they thought the short-term rental could attract tourism to the Capital City.
Ward 4 Councilman Carlos Graham and Ward 1 Councilman Rick Prather voted against the proposal.
The council also unanimously approved a special exception permit for 3261 S. Ten Mile Drive, owned by Michael and Marrianne Ryno. The Rynos plan to operate a short-term rental and would rent one room or the whole house.
The Jefferson City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of both requests last month.
Under the city's ordinance, a renter could only stay in a short-term rental for less than one month. A property owner also could rent out a lodging room where someone rents a single room or basement for less than a month. Short-term lodging room rentals cannot have multiple rentals in the same residence.