Council takes up master development agreement for proposed hotel, conference center and parking garage; work session planned

City staff presented a proposed master development agreement with a private developer for a proposed hotel, conference center and parking facility; council did not vote on the development agreement but scheduled a work session to examine project details.

City staff said the developer and city have agreed on development and design fees totaling roughly $8,000,312 (amount presented in the staff summary) to be expended prior to any bond sale to fund construction. Of that total, $1,500,000 had already been authorized and spent on schematic design work. Staff emphasized that the numbers under discussion were prior to any financing steps and that more detailed terms would be reviewed at the forthcoming work session.

Mayor Fitzwater and staff noted representatives of the Jefferson City Redevelopment and Public‑Private Partnership (JC RAP) — including Sampson and Holshner — were present to answer detailed questions. City staff said the council would hold a work session to “get into the nitty‑gritty” before any council decision on the master development agreement or bond financing.

Why it matters: the agreement frames how the city and developer will share early design and development costs and is a precursor to any bond sale and construction contract. Councilmembers and staff stressed a need for additional review, and a work session was scheduled to allow full council discussion and public review before a formal vote.

No formal action was taken on the master development agreement at the meeting; staff will return with more detailed materials at the scheduled work session.