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City reallocates $2.2M tourism grant to River Market, Chestnut and Box Creek trail work and amenities
Summary
City staff presented and council approved a scope amendment to shift $2.2 million in Local Tourism Asset Development funds to River Market, Chestnut Street Greenway, Box Creek and related riverfront trail connections to preserve the eligible ARPA funding within program deadlines.
The Jefferson City Council authorized a project scope amendment to transfer $2.2 million in Local Tourism Asset Development grant funds — originally awarded for a hotel/conference project — to a set of shovel‑ready riverfront and trail projects including River Market trail connections, Chestnut Street Greenway improvements and Box Creek work.
Cindy (last name not provided), neighborhood services, explained that the original planned use of $2.2 million for a conference center no longer matched that project's timeline and that the Missouri Department of Economic Development would allow a scope amendment because the grant funds are ARPA‑sourced and must be spent within a limited window. She said the amendment would support Greenway Trail connections from Chestnut to the River Market and to Lafayette Street, improve Chestnut Street, and help complete Box Creek work.
‘‘With this $2.2 million infusion, not only can we plug the gaps of our already existing projects, with Greenway Trail along Chestnut Street in Box Creek, but we can also connect Greenway Trail up to the Lafayette Street cul de sac,’’ she said, describing how the work aligns with the city’s active transportation plan.
Staff presented a budget summary showing total project revenues of about $10.9 million and identified expenditures of about $9.7 million across River Market, Chestnut Street extension, Chestnut Greenway, Box Creek and River Market trail/amenities. The city will use the grant funds to close gaps in those projects and to preserve the federal/state ARPA‑eligible funding rather than risk forfeiture due to timeline mismatch.
Council approved the amendment on a voice vote. Staff said the Chestnut Street work was expected to go to bid in the coming weeks and that the River Market trail extension and Box Creek improvements would proceed with the amended funding mix.
The amendment shifts grant match arrangements so that existing city funds and other previously identified revenue sources serve as match for the TAP and other grants, and staff said they aimed to maximize the amount of funds that could be returned to city coffers after project contingencies were resolved.
