Jefferson City Council introduces bill to authorize $575,000 to buy News Tribune building

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council introduced a bill that would appropriate funds for the purchase of property located at 210 Monroe Street, which will be the home of a new development project.

According to the council agenda, the city is preparing to allocate $575,000 for the property, which is the address of the Jefferson City News Tribune. On Oct. 31, Jefferson City officials announced their plans to build a conference center to replace the parking garage at 200 Madison Street.

The money would come out of the city parking fund. There was no vote on the bill, but the council said during the meeting that they are expected to close the deal on time. However, those funds will not be needed until Nov. 30.

The bill could be approved as early as the next City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 20.

The city has begun soliciting Statements of Qualifications from development teams interested in spearheading the project.  

According to the city’s website, the project will include a conference center with an integrated full-service, branded, upscale hotel and shared structured parking facility serving the conference center, hotel, and short-term, and daily parking for the general public. Submissions are due on Dec. 15. 

Officials hope to find a developer by February and to gather all the architects and the drawings in a year.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Jefferson City News Tribune, they gave no comment.

Also during Monday night’s meeting, the city voted to establish pay raises for the 2024 fiscal year. The vote raised salaries 2%.