Schematic design presented for Jefferson City conference-center hotel; parking, room count and next steps debated

Designers and developers presented schematic designs Thursday evening for a proposed hotel and conference center on Capitol Avenue in Jefferson City, outlining the building’s size, program and schedule while council members focused questions on parking, room count and next procedural steps.

The project team described a hotel-and-conference-center development of about 190,000 gross square feet, centered on a 200‑room full‑service hotel, roughly 34,500 square feet of meeting space including a target 1,000‑person ballroom, and a multi‑level parking structure. "We won't go below 200," said Brian Murch of DLR Group, referring to the planned room count.

Why it matters: city officials and the development team said the facility is intended to bring statewide association business and other events to downtown Jefferson City, increase spending at local restaurants and shops, and activate the Capitol Avenue block between Madison and Monroe. The teams also described a timeline that anticipates further design work in 2025, construction starting in 2026, and a roughly 24‑month construction period once financing and approvals are final.

Design and program details The schematic plan locates a conference‑center entrance at the corner of Capitol and Monroe, a mid‑block hotel entrance, a signature restaurant facing the street, and a rooftop bar and pool with views toward the Capitol. The design team described a guest tower set at eight stories, a garage that will provide parking on a top deck and a hotel program that includes a governor’s suite and multiple…