3 sites approved for demolition, redevelopment

Jefferson City High School is seen in the background from this address on Union Street, which is where the district plans to build athletic facilities.
Jefferson City High School is seen in the background from this address on Union Street, which is where the district plans to build athletic facilities.

Three properties on Tuesday were approved for demolition by the Historic Preservation Commission.

The approved properties include one owned by the Jefferson City School District, another by The Missouri Soybean Association and one by a local family. They still need to be approved by the Jefferson City Council.

The first, in the 400 block of Union Street, is part of an area of property the Jefferson City School District plans to use for a recreational field area.

The residence on the property was constructed in 1910, according to commission documents, and was damaged by the 2019 tornado that impacted the area.

The Jefferson City comprehensive plan labels the area for redevelopment as institutional land, which the school district's project would qualify as.

The commission held a public hearing on the demolition of the building and did not receive any comments.

The second property, owned by The Missouri Soybean Association, is located in the 700 block of South Country Club Drive.

According to commission documents, the association recently built on the property next door.

It plans to demolish all six buildings on the property, many of which are suffering from neglect, and put up an educational area. The main home on the property is still standing and has been vacant for two months.

Gary Wheeler, executive director of The Missouri Soybean Association, encouraged commissioners to come out and see the property as well as discuss the intended use.

The third property, in the 100 block of Fulkerson Street, is owned by a GNJPJC Family Trust. It was built in 1926.

According to commission documents, it has been vacant for at least five years and was most recently used as a residential rental.

The request focused on the possibility of replacing it with an accessible home for elderly family members.

Patricia Churchill, trustee on the family trust, said the building's foundation is cracked and the basement has suffered water damage.

All three demolitions were approved unanimously.