Jefferson City Council approves plans for new conference center

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council approved plans for the budget and construction of the new Jefferson City Conference Center during a special meeting Monday.

The conference center will be located in the "heart of Jefferson City," according to Mayor Ron Fitzwater, on the corner of Madison Street and East Capitol Avenue.

Fitzwater said the council now has about 90 days to approve the needed documents.

Fitzwater said construction should pivot from tearing down the parking garage to building the $145.9 million conference center in October.

“We're looking at the beginning of October to the middle of October for construction to start heading in the other direction instead of tearing down on that property, seeing something come out of the ground, and get ready for the facility," Fitzwater said.

Fitzwater said the city will post updates throughout construction.

"It's an exciting project. I think the community is really getting excited now that they're starting to see some very positive movement," Fitzwater said.

The city received a key piece of funding for the project when Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a budget last month that included $15 million for the conference center.

“We thank Governor Kehoe and the legislature and certainly our local legislative delegation for helping us to provide that funding," Fitzwater said.

There is no exact date set for when this project will be completed, but Fitzwater said it is estimated to take 24 to 27 months and hopes the completion is done by the beginning of 2029 in time for the next legislative session.