Jefferson City blight study finds public health and safety threat, economic liability

A historic area near downtown Jefferson City was declared a threat to public health and safety and an economic liability.

ABC 17 News reported on the blight study of the East Capitol Avenue area.

Tuesday, PVAG Planners, the firm that completed the study, shared its findings with the housing authority or Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

PGAV Planners declared the area “blighted” after looking at building and street conditions, sanitary issues and safety issues.

The blight study covered an area of 116 properties near downtown Jefferson City, an area city officials say has been deteriorating for years.

The study showed all but 14 of the 116 properties had either declined or had not increased in value from 2007-2015, a nearly $778,000 loss in assessed value.

“Those had a very significant decline and in fact the conditions of those parcels have pulled down the assessed valuation of that entire study area,” Janice McMillan, the Department of Planning and Protective Services director, said.

According to the study’s report, it was an economic liability not only deterring future development, but also affecting the incoming stream of property taxes.

Since 2008, people have reported 142 crimes in the area including arson, burglary, robbery, rape and more. You can view a map of the reported crimes by typehere.

The study said the area was also a social liability and a threat to public safety and health due to crime and other unsafe conditions like fire and building code violations and potential hazardous substances.

The next step in the process will be to get into the buildings and evaluate each one to find out what can be preserved and what can no longer be saved, according to McMillan.

PGAV Planners will present its findings next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the city council work session. The public is invited to attend.