Truman Hotel called ‘eyesore’ by former city officials at Jefferson City Council meeting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Former Jefferson City Council members are pushing for action on the dilapidated Truman Hotel that overlooks Highway 54.

The former council members at Monday's meeting described the decaying Truman Hotel -- located at 1510 Jefferson St. -- as a "disgrace" and an "eyesore" that is unappealing to potential tourists and residents.

Dr. Thomas Brant and Cliff Olsen gave the council a letter calling for them to address the condition of the rundown building.

"It's horrendous. It's rotting, there's boarded windows," said Brant, who served as a councilmen during the late 70s. "And it's right there on highway 54 which goes north and south through town, so its a horrible image for a capital city or any city."

Since its opening in 1964, the hotel has gone under various management. It was a Ramada Inn until 2006, then hotel runners cut ties with the franchise and the building was renamed the Truman Hotel before its closure in 2015.

In 2013, the Housing Authority sold the building and land to Puri Group of Enterprises to play a role in the Truman Hotel Urban Renewal Plan.

Phase 1 included the demolition of the out-of-date buildings and a new business hotel with an indoor pool and restaurant. Phase 2 includes another development plan to tear down the remaining buildings and create another new area for lodging purposes, but it's taking longer than expected.

Dr. Raman Puri, President and CEO of Puri Group Enterprise, said the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the project due to the lack of revenue in the hotel industry.

"COVID is the reason the Truman hotel is still standing because the business in Jefferson City was greatly impacted and still is impacted, ” Puri said.

Puri also emphasized that perspective is key.

"Obviously people have their opinions but it takes money to take down the existing building,” he said. 

In February 2019, PGE opened the Holiday Inn, just a parking lot away from the Truman Hotel.

The 10-year redevelopment plan is only three-and-a-half years away from deadline.

Section 3.05 of the agreement states the redeveloper shall maintain "attractive appearances and and in a state of good repair."

Since 2012, the property of the Truman Hotel received seven code violations, but is not considered dangerous by Jefferson City code.

It is unclear when Phase 2 of the project will begin, but Puri says it will once the market has stabilized.