Jefferson City Council approves renovations to Veteran's Plaza

An overcast sky looms over the Veteran's Plaza in front of the Jefferson City Police Department on July 20, 2020.
An overcast sky looms over the Veteran's Plaza in front of the Jefferson City Police Department on July 20, 2020.

The Jefferson City Council on Monday approved a contract to expand the Veteran's Plaza in front of the Jefferson City Police Department to display more engraved bricks.

The plaza was constructed in 2006, and it displays bricks which residents were able to purchase and have engraved with the names of veterans. However, the display has since filled, with no more room to display more bricks.

The contract for $136,800 with SIRCAL Contracting, will allow the plaza to expand with three new display cases as well as modify existing cases to display more bricks. In total, the upgrades should allow for the display of 1,000 more bricks, said Britt Smith, operations division director.

Funding for the project comes from the sale of the bricks by the Veterans Committee - which has been held by the city in the JC Veterans Plaza Trust Fund - and a donation from the Jefferson City Veterans Council.

Veterans Council President Don Hentges attended Monday's meeting to symbolically present the council with the check for their donation to the project - Smith said the actual check had already been sent to the bank.

"On behalf of all the veterans in the area, and the members of the Veterans Council, we're very pleased that this is going to enhance the memorial and enlarge it, and it's our honor to contribute to get this project started," Hentges said.

Bricks can still be purchased from the Veterans Committee for $125.

Also on Monday, the council approved a bill to authorize an agreement with Burns & McDonald Engineering Co., Inc. for a biosolids management study at the Jefferson City Regional Water Facility.

Public Works Department Director Matt Morasch said the biosolids equipment at the plant is about 20 years old and in need of replacement.

The agreement is not to exceed $57,000, and funding will come from the wastewater capital fund.

In other business, the council introduced a bill to dissolve the High Street Tax Increment Financing Plan.

Originally passed in Dec. 2, 2002, the TIF was created for redevelopment of 900 and 902 E. High St. With the redevelopment plan of the properties now complete and redevelopment project costs paid, the TIF now needs to be dissolved.

Council will vote on this bill at their next meeting Aug. 17.