Jefferson City Council discusses 1% sales tax, forming conference center transportation development district
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Jefferson City Council on Monday night opted to move forward with its petition to form the Downtown Jefferson City Conference Center Transportation Development District.
The council sought to authorize a lawsuit to be filed in the Cole County Circuit Court to form the Downtown Jefferson City Conference Center Transportation Development District. Information from the meeting packet says a 1% sales tax in the district would be utilized for transportation improvements for the downtown conference center.
The council approved the measure 7-3, with dissenting votes coming from Ward 2 Councilman Aaron Mealy, Ward 3 Councilman Derek Thomas and Ward 5 Councilwoman Mackenzie Job.
Previous reporting says a design report outlined the 189,420-square-foot facility, which would be built between Madison and Monroe streets, with the main entrance on East Capitol Avenue.
The project includes a 200-room hotel, bar, conference room, grand ballroom, restaurant, coffee shop, and 526 parking spaces. City officials said the design aims to attract more visitors downtown and boost local business activity.
A judge has to approve the decision. The city is listed as both a plaintiff and a defendant in the petition, and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is also listed as a defendant.
The city expects roughly $170,000 to be generated from the sales tax each year, according to the petition. The downtown conference center transportation district will have five board members, with two members having three-year-terms, two having two-year terms and one with a one-year term, according to court documents.
