Riverfront project expected to be on Jefferson City Parks and Rec master plan

Jefferson City Parks and Recreation is pitching in to help with the long-awaited riverfront project near the state Capitol.

The $3 million project would build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge around the area behind the Capitol building to a 30-acre plot on the Missouri River known as Adrian’s Island.

However, funds are still needed to cover about a third of the project, according to project engineer Bob Gilbert with Barlett & West.

The Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce has been working to build the bridge since the project was identified in its 2010 strategic Economic and Community Development plan.

Union Pacific recently approved preliminary plans for the bridge to go over the railroad tracks adjacent to the river, according to Gilbert.

Now, Gilbert said officials are working with the state to get approval of an easement and access on the state-owned land near the Capitol.

Parks and Recreation Director Todd Spalding said he plans on making the riverfront project one of the main topics for the department’s 2017 master plan.

ABC 17 News talked to Spalding Wednesday about what he envisions for the development.

“It’s pretty wide open,” Spalding said. “We’ve talked about potentially just some trails, just some more very native type park where it’s kind of serene and you can just maybe walk around. Perhaps some kind of a shelter where you could walk out there with a family or a school group and just do a picnic.”

The start of construction on the project is dependent on how quickly the remaining funds are raised, according to Gilbert.