Jefferson City's mayor and City Council are seeking input on two proposals to redevelop 32 acres on the site of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary.
The city is also making public two project proposals from the developers - Farmer Companies and a group made up of Chesterfield Hotels, Arcturis, Peckham Architecture and Central Missouri Professional Services.
The developers originally presented their proposals to the public in December, and since then, the council has been discussing the decision.
In March, the council approved a resolution establishing a 45-day period for both developers to provide more information on their proposals, including renderings and a summary of basic financing details, which would be "100 percent available to the public."
The city on Thursday published the new "best and final" proposals for both groups for the land, which was conveyed to the city from the state in 2018.
Chesterfield/Arcturis
The Chesterfield/Arcturis group proposal divides the land into eight "redevelopment project areas." Some of these would come in later phases or could be developed by other groups.
RPA 1 - the section behind the historic prison buildings near the Missouri River - would include a 150-room Tapestry by Hilton Hotel, conference center and parking garage.
RPA 2-A, next to RPA 1, would include a city-owned, two-sheet ice arena and parking garage, while RPA 2-B, just south of 2-A, would be developed by another developer into a mixed-use and retail space with an expo center expansion in phase two.
RPA's 3-A and 3-B - on the far east side of the property and also partially along the river - would be developed by others, with proposed uses being a museum, mixed use/commercial and a train station.
RPA's 4-A and 4-B - located around the existing MSP buildings and up to East Capitol Avenue - would also be developed by others. Proposed uses include residential town homes and an office building. In 4-C, the group is proposing a place-making and amphitheater space; however, RPA 4-C is not currently owned by the city.
Farmer Companies
The Farmer Companies Team proposal includes two options, with a convention center located near their new hotel on Missouri Boulevard and the development of an outdoor space at MSP.
Option A would see the MSP site developed into the Veterans Memorial Athletic Complex - five to 10 artificial turf athletic fields. The final number of fields is dependent on the availability of state-owned ground at the corner of East Capitol Avenue and Lafayette Street and the size of the fields chosen.
All of the fields would be lit; and a snack bar, picnic pavilion, walking trails, playgrounds and restrooms would be added.
The group is also proposing a built-to-suit restaurant with river views near the railroad on the north side of the property. Two parking lots would be added totaling 183 spaces.
Option A includes a 25,000-square-foot convention center next to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel the company is currently building. The center would have a prep kitchen, access for large vehicles, large exhibit access and movable walls for smaller meetings.
The convention center would include 125 parking spaces, with more nearby at the hotel.
Option B would be a larger, two-story, 50,000-square-foot convention center by the hotel. The first floor would be an expo hall for larger events, and the second floor would be a versatile convention center with the ability to accommodate smaller groups, as well as the prep kitchen.
The convention center would provide 250 parking spaces.
The MSP site would be developed into Veterans Memorial Park with a picnic pavilion and restrooms, two playgrounds, walking trails and exercise stations, as well as the built-to-suit restaurant. This option includes 116 parking spaces.
The Farmer group proposes a timeline of nine months before construction and a year for construction on both options.
Public input
Mayor Carrie Tergin and the City Council are seeking input on these proposals. Both can be found on the city's website. Residents are asked to complete a survey regarding the proposals and can submit comments by email to [email protected].
The survey will be available until May 25.
There may be a chance in the future to directly address the council, but due to current physical distancing guidelines, the council encourages the public to submit these written comments if possible.
The agreement between the city and state gives the council until July to select a developer for the property.