Jefferson City mayor endorses Capital Mall location for conference center

Jefferson City Mayor Eric Struemph officially endorses the mall location for the new conference center in the capital city.

The endorsement came after Tuesday’s public forum where residents voiced their opinion on whether the conference center should be built downtown or near the mall. The City Council is expected to take a vote next Monday on the two locations.

About 10 people voiced their opinions to Jefferson City leaders where they think the conference center should be. The main arguing points for building near the mall is tax dollars will stay local and parking’s already set up. But for the others, they say the city should be sticking with what brings people to the city.

“We all think about the same thing which is the Capitol, we utilize that that’s one of the main resources we utilize that’s a 97-year-old beautiful building and it brings people in,” Jefferson City resident Jay Hahn said.

City leaders told ABC 17 News they’re still on pace to vote at its next council meeting Monday.

“Who might we go forward with and try to nail down with some details, I think we’re still on track there. I haven’t heard anything different from staff and or the council at this point in time,” Struemph said.

There will be one more public input session before the council is expected to vote. That session will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.