Jefferson City Council to vote on Shikles Center project

FILE: Dan Lester, executive director of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, stands in what will be the chapel in Shikles Center, formerly the La Salette Seminary. Work is underway to transform the Shikles Center in Jefferson City into an outreach and food distribution center
FILE: Dan Lester, executive director of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, stands in what will be the chapel in Shikles Center, formerly the La Salette Seminary. Work is underway to transform the Shikles Center in Jefferson City into an outreach and food distribution center

The Jefferson City Council is set to vote Monday on a development agreement with Catholic Charities and consider a grant for development of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary site.

Pending bills

The council is set to decide whether to enter an agreement with Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri in relation to property at 1200 Linden Drive.

Catholic Charities, which owns the old Shikles Center, is planning development work on the property, and the city would like for the development to include raising and replacing an existing sanitary sewer line on the property, according to the bill.

In return, the city would reimburse Catholic Charities for the work, not exceeding $20,000.

Catholic Charities organizers hope to complete the project by late summer. The building will hold a food pantry, community spaces, classroom spaces, offices and health exam rooms.

City staff gave a negative recommendation to the Public Works and Planning Committee in regard to the agreement, and the committee recommended the request.

The meeting agenda does not include any new bills to be introduced at the meeting.

Other business

On the consent agenda - meaning the council may approve it without a vote - is acceptance of a $1.5 million grant through the U.S. Economic Development Administration and would focus on work redeveloping part of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary site.

The grant would cover sanitary sewer infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, lighting, landscaping and stormwater, according to council documents.

If the grant is not approved within 30 days, the EDA will consider it null and void.

How to participate

The Jefferson City Council will meet virtually Monday due to COVID-19 and social-distancing recommendations. Community members can view the meeting live via the city's Facebook page.

Those who wish to participate can call into the meeting at 404-397-1516 or via WebEx with meeting number 187 934 3701 and password 1234.

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