Jefferson City Council approves TIF plan for St. Mary’s Hospital

The Jefferson City Council is taking the next step in redevelopment plans for the former St. Mary’s Hospital.

Nine city council members voted in favor of approving the redevelopment project of St. Mary’s Hospital tax increment financing district, or TIF, plan. One City Council member had to recuse himself due to his involvement with Lincoln University.

The council still has to look at two options for the project, the “Lincoln Project” and the “Commercial Project.”

The “Lincoln Project” would include a satellite campus for Lincoln University, office space, retail stores and restaurants. It would cost $44.6 million with partial demolition, renovation and new construction. The project relies heavily on state grant funding, which developers say they need to still work with lawmakers on getting.

The second proposal, the “Commercial Project,” is similar to the other proposal but wouldn’t have offices for Lincoln University and instead would have more commercial space. The plan would cost $30.9 million.

While the City Council was in favor of the plan Monday night, there were some concerns early on with using a TIF.

“In a perfect world, you would like to see a project like this do well on its own and not needing the extra assistance from city government,” Ron Fitzwater said.

Developers hope to start construction in 2018 and complete the project by 2020.