Jefferson City Council postpones vote on crumbling building demolition

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council moved to delay a discussion and vote on a demolition contract for a crumbling downtown building.

200 E. High Street has been sitting empty since the partial collapse of its western wall in June 2018. The council was set to decide on a $300,000 demolition contract at its meeting Monday night, but that vote was postponed.

Third ward councilman Ken Hussey moved the item to the informal calendar citing "continuing conversations between city staff and property owners."

The demolition contract would have allowed the city to destroy the building, as well as the compromised neighboring building at 202 E. High Street.

The two buildings share a wall. Both property owners have agreed to a deal with the city. As of Monday night, the terms of that deal remained closed.

City leaders have called the buildings an eyesore downtown and one resident who spoke tonight said it's an embarrassment.

"I have a small convention coming in September," resident Mike Kallel said. "God, I hope they're not still there. That would be embarrassing."

Mayor Carrie Tergin told ABC 17 News after the meeting that she does not predict much more delay on the issue and that she expects the City Council to take up the demolition contract again at its meeting on Jan. 21.

City statute allows any item to sit on the informal calendar for up to three City Council meetings.