More of a historic funeral home in Jefferson City can be saved

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council approved a resolution at Monday's meeting allowing the Missouri Association of Counties to preserve another portion of the historic Buescher Memorial Home.

The front part of the former funeral was known to be in good condition to renovate and preserve, but MAC Executive Director Steve Hobbs said he thought the additional building on the back side -- which was added to the original building -- would need to be torn down and rebuilt.

"When the architect first said, 'I think we can save that back building.' I said, 'No, no, no, no, we're not going to,'" Hobbs said.

Saving the back building will actually give MAC more space to work with for its headquarters, office space and training center.

"This is historically better for the community because that building has been there for 50 years," Hobbs said.

Renovations and work on the former funeral home begin in January, Hobbs said. The $5 million project is expected to take 18-24 months to complete and open sometime in 2028.