Jefferson City Boys and Girls Club says it plans to move
The Jefferson City Boys and Girls Club said it plans to move.
The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Layette Street interchange project will cut off some access to the building and make it difficult for normal daily function.
The department has offered to buy the building and a deal is set to be made any day now.
Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Stephanie Johnson said they have been aware that the construction could become an issue for some months now and are planning on moving soon.
“This will be our last summer in this building. We will be looking to relocate,” said Johnson.
Despite the move, Johnson said the Boys and Girls Club is here to stay in the city. She said her staff will remain just as committed to serving their over 600 area kids from a different facility.
“We help them with their homework. We provide them with a hot, nutritious dinner every night-good character and development programs. We try to keep them out of trouble,” said Johnson.
Johnson said the club is reviewing MoDOT’s offer for a buyout and they are expecting to come to a deal soon.
“We are in negotiations with the Missouri Department of Transportation for a buyout of our building, and we are looking forward to some great opportunities for a new Boys and Girls Club facility down the road,” said Johnson.
MoDOT engineer Mike Dusenberg has been working on this project for years and said there is no way around blocking the club’s access.
“Elm street were it’s currently located at Lafayette Street is too close to our new interchange. From a safety standpoint and from a traffic standpoint, Elm Street can’t stay open were it’s at right now,” said Dusenberg.
Dusenberg said the department is doing everything it can to help make the transition as smooth as possible for the Boys and Girls Club.
“Obviously, they would like to stay in the vacancy of where they’re at currently. They’ve actually had some discussions with Lincoln University. They’ve been in discussions with them about partnering on some sort of relocation option,” said Dusenberg.
MoDOT plans to break ground on the project later this year.
