Missouri State Penitentiary bill passes state Legislature

A bill that will allow Jefferson City to redevelop a portion of the Missouri State Penitentiary is now heading to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 486 was approved by the state Senate and passed the state House on Monday. The measure would transfer about 32 acres of state land to the city.

The Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission started meeting at least 15 years ago to come up with a master plan for turning the prison site into a popular tourist attraction. The plan included features such as a convention center, hotels and a walkway to a marina on the Missouri River.

“There was a great plan for prison redevelopment,” Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin said. “But the plan, the master plan they call it, was never really put into fruition. And we felt that we can get that moving.”

With the bill moving on to the governor, Tergin said work may finally begin on redevelopment on a portion of the land. And she does not plan on wasting any time.

“Our next step will be having some meetings with the City Council to talk about the master plan,” Tergin said.

ABC 17 News reported that the City Council awarded a contract for nearly $56,000 to Central Missouri Professional Services Inc., to start design work on a MSP Parkway this past October. Tergin said construction of the parkway would be the next major step in the process.

“This is perfect timing because the engineering is almost completed,” Tergin said. “That is the next natural step, is to start looking at building. And we really need to build that road in order to have access to the site for further development.”

Construction of the parkway would be a joint project between Jefferson City and Cole County and would be paid for by sales tax funds.

Private funds would largely fund the rest of the development, according to Tergin.