It's been nearly 15 years since Jefferson City completed the downtown streetscape project, and city staff is now looking to fund repairs in the area.
At the Public Works and Planning Committee meeting Thursday, Public Works Director Matt Morasch said the downtown sidewalks need repair, as well as much of the original streetscaping work, and he would be putting together a funding plan to get the work done before summer 2017.
In 2002, Jefferson City completed a roughly $1.5 million streetscape project on four blocks of the city's downtown - the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of East High Street and the 200 block of Madison Street.
"It's 14 years old, it's needing some maintenance," Morasch said.
Morasch said the city would estimate the cost of the project to be about $250,000, but that includes $50,000 for an engineering consultant to perform an electrical investigation in the downtown area to see how the city could best bring electrical connections for downtown events.
Jefferson City's downtown area is host to many large events, such as Thursday Night Live and Salute to America, and as these events grow, event planners have said the demand for electricity also grows.
Morasch said staff would have to come back to the committee with any recommendation for electrical upgrades after the consultant's work is complete.
In a memo to the committee, Morasch said $100,000 would be needed for sidewalk repair and another $100,000 for street repair and decorative crosswalk replacement. Morasch said he would put together a funding plan and come back to the committee for formal approval.
Fifth Ward Councilman Larry Henry said he supports the project and the only real issue is where the funding would come from.
"I definitely think it's a worthwhile project," Henry said.
Morasch said the city would look for partners on the project, including Cole County, and noted the funds could come from the city's fund balance or remaining funds in the city's half-cent capital improvements sales tax.
Third Ward Councilman Ken Hussey said the project could be considered economic development, as the downtown is the city's main business district and it's important to keep it safe, secure and looking beautiful.
"To me, this is economic development," Hussey said.
Second Ward Councilwoman Laura Ward agreed, adding the downtown events and activities help draw thousands of people every year.
City Administrator Steve Crowell suggested it may be best to have a broader discussion about all planned projects and prioritize the projects and funding sources.