Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission OKs sidewalk project

The Jefferson City Cemetery Resources Board received word Friday the Woodland-Old City Cemetery had been accepted into the National Register of Historic Places.
The Jefferson City Cemetery Resources Board received word Friday the Woodland-Old City Cemetery had been accepted into the National Register of Historic Places.

No historic property would be affected by a proposed sidewalk improvement project near the Old City Cemetery, the Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission decided Tuesday regarding the project near a Jefferson City JeffTran transfer station on Chestnut Street.

The city is recommending sidewalk improvements and installation in the 700 block of East Miller Street and the 400 block of Chestnut Street, Jefferson City Neighborhood Services Manager Jayme Abbott said.

Work would add improvements along the route to and from the transfer station - including installing a sidewalk on the west side in the 400 block of Chestnut Street and six ADA ramps. The city plans to use some Community Development Block Grant funds as well as other finances to complete the project, Abbott said.

The current retaining wall at the Old City Cemetery, 1000 E. McCarty St., would not be affected, the commission agreed. An additional retaining wall would be installed due to limestone crumbling and falling on the sidewalk.

The project will also help with a limited sight distance issue which increases the number of pedestrians walking in the street, Abbott said.

"The purpose of the project is really for help and safety issues for those who may be using the transfer facility," she said.

In August, commissioners expressed concern about the use of CDBG funds on city rights-of-way. About 90 percent of the infrastructure improvements will occur in an income eligible census tract, which is OK for CDBG, Abbott said.

"Yes, I know that some of it is on city right-of-way, but overall, it's for the good of the public," Abbott said.

Commissioner Steven Hoffman said he was in favor of the sidewalk improvements.

"I think its a good project," Hoffman said. "You have a lot of kids playing on the basketball courts. They just redid the overpass over there; it looks beautiful. There's a lot of traffic going from the church across Chestnut Street. It's very needed."

In other business, four buildings were declared dangerous due to damage from the May 22 tornado - 1218 Jackson St. and 600, 621 and 623 E. Capitol Ave.

So far, 13 properties have been designated or determined to be dangerous since June 1 as a direct result of the tornado, Abbott said.