MSP Redevelopment Virtual Tour

The Mayor wants to take you to Prison! Anyone?? Well I took the City Council there on Monday night, June 12, 2017 during a Work Session. Join us on a "virtual tour" of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) as we explore the possibilities and potential for redevelopment of this amazing property. The City seeks to develop a portion of the site, in cooperation with the State of Missouri, and other partners including the County, Chamber and CVB. Let's take a look!

Map of MSP, area of proposed transfer to the city is outlined in red,

bordered by the historic prison tour area.

Follow the new Lafayette Interchange to the historic Missouri State 

Penitentiary (MSP)

Housing Unit 1 is on the right, this is where Prison Tours originate. 

Spectacular view of the Missouri River from the end of Lafayette Street.



Chestnut Street, the future MSP Parkway shown on the Master Plan, 

is the eastern border of the area of the City's conveyance request.

Currently a parking lot, this is part of the area of proposed conveyance

to the City. The historic tour area is on the left.

The restricted area leads to the historic prison area.

Housing Unit 4 shown as you approach the historic prison area.

MSP Upper Yard, the area where "Inside the Walls" concert is held.

Housing Unit 3

The east end of the Upper Yard, the stage area for "Concert Inside the

Walls."

Upper Yard

Housing Unit 4, also known as A-Hall. 

Leaving the Upper Yard, turning around and leaving the same way we

came in.



Housing Unit 2 is the red building, Housing Unit 3 shown on the left,

Housing Unit 1 on the right.

The impressive architecture of Housing Unit 3 borders the Upper Yard.

Leaving the historic prison area, this is the western border of the area of

proposed conveyance.

Current parking lot, proposed conveyance area.

Looking north at the area of proposed conveyance, bordered by Capitol

Avenue on the south, the river on the north, the historic  prison area

on the west, and Chestnut Street on the east.

Lewis & Clark DNR Building, notice the wall remaining from the women's

prison, dated 1932.

View from DNR, looking towards the prison to the west, you can see in

the distance if you look at the light pole.

Lewis & Clark DNR Building, on the eastern edge of the MSP property,

near Riverside Park.

View from the DNR Building, looking west towards the historic prison

buildings. Note the Potato House in the foreground on the right.

State Health Lab, note how the architecture mirrors the look of the prison

buildings.

Chestnut Street, restricted area, heading towards the Missouri River.

Chestnut is the eastern edge of  the proposed area of conveyance.

Followed Chestnut Street until it ends at the railroad/Missouri River.

The northern edge of the area of proposed conveyance, the Missouri River

visible in between the train cars.

Turning around at the railroad/river you have a clear view of the Prison

Shoe Factory at the northern edge of the prison, overlooking the Missouri

River, and the only building included in the area of proposed conveyance 

for redevelopment.



Back on Chestnut Street, towards Capitol Avenue.  The historic wall is

on the eastern edge of the proposed area of conveyance.

The office of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, which houses the

Prison Museum.

Lafayette Street at Capitol Avenue, the HW 50/Lafayette Interchange is

visible on the right.

Memorial Day 2017, With Thanks and Appreciation

When I was elected Mayor in 2015, one of the first events I welcomed was the Memorial Day Service at National Cemetery.  For the third year it has been my honor to bring a welcome, and I have used the same words every time:

Memorial Day

As the Mayor of Jefferson City I have the honor of welcoming you to this special Memorial Day service at the National Cemetery.  I learned at an early age from my grandfather George, who came to this great country from Greece as a young boy, that America is the BEST country on earth. 

Words alone cannot say enough to thank those in the military who have stood up for and fought for our freedoms.  By being here today, your presence shows that appreciation.

Let’s keep the spirit of Memorial Day every day of the year.  Thank a veteran, and those in active military duty, every day.  Exercise your right to vote, every time.  They fought hard for these freedoms.  Don’t take it for granted. 

Remember the families of those who serve, in your prayers and in your actions.

When I see our beautiful American flag, I remember my grandfather, how he kissed the ground because he loved this country so much.  And I remember those who gave him the freedom to kiss that ground!

Let’s all teach the next generation to have that respect:  For this place, for all who are buried here.

I would like to thank the City’s Cemetery Resources Board for all they do to continue to protect and respect this place of rest and peace.

Thank you all for being here today, and especially to all who have served our great country and to their families.

Memorial Day Service

National Cemetery, Jefferson City, Missouri

A solemn moment at the podium, thanks for capturing it Homer Holmes.

Proud of the Jefferson City Fire Department and thankful for all our public safety and first responders!

I appreciate Jim Logan and his dedication to the Memorial Day service at National Cemetery every year!

Jefferson City Police Department

Our beautiful flag! On top of Central Bank in Downtown Jefferson City

MSU Chorale with Director Cameron LaBarr, Inauguration 2017

The Missouri State University Chorale performed an original song for over 40 million people around the world during #Inauguration2017.  “Now We Belong” by poet Michael Dennis Browne and composer John Wykoff, performed January 20, 2017 at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC.

“The opportunity,” Browne said, “is to say something as vividly and wholeheartedly as possible on an occasion which draws the scrutiny of the entire world.”

“Now We Belong” 

Here are the voices of every creature,
Here are the calls of every heart;
Here is the place of strangers’ welcome,
We who once walked in strangers’ shoes.
Once we were strangers,
We were welcomed,
Now we belong and believe in this land.

Here are the rivers of many echoes,
Here are the leaves of every tree;
Within us live the long horizons,
Winds that stir the sacred stones.
Once we were strangers,
We were welcomed,
Now we belong and believe in this land.

Keep faith, keep watch,
Take heart, take courage,
Guard mind, guard spirit.
Feed love, feed longing.

Here are the cities where we have gathered,
Here are the barns where hope is stored;
We are the gleams of every being,
Filled with the dreams that build the day.
Once we were strangers,
We were welcomed,
Now we belong and believe in this land.

Keep faith,
Guard mind,
Take heart,
Guard spirit,
Take courage,
Keep watch.
Feed longing,
Feed love.

MSU Chorale members, #FeedLove!

#ProudMayor #ProudBear!

Coming soon...The Mayor visits China!

Coming soon...The Mayor visits China!  It's great to be back home in the USA and especially JCMO!  Working on my China blog to share this amazing trip!

 

 

 

Here's a Quarter

Jefferson City rocks the 4th!

As Mayor I want to be sure to invite all of you and your friends and family to this year's Salute to America events!  What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Independence Day holiday weekend!  The City of Jefferson is one of many community sponsors for this fun family event.  Be sure to check out the Salute to America website for all information! There are lots of activities in the downtown area, and free concerts at the Capitol on July 3 & 4:  Ozark Mountain Daredevils on July 3 and Groovethang on July 4.  Join us for the parade celebrating Lincoln University's 150^th year on Sunday, July 3 at 6 PM. And, of course, the highlight of the event, the Red, White and Boom Fireworks show at the Capitol at dusk on Monday night, July 4!

There is also a first-ever special event that is two days before, on Saturday, July 2, and what kind of Mayor would I be if I didn't make sure you all were aware and knew how to get tickets to it?

Country music artist TRAVIS TRITT is going to be in concert, and tickets sales are limited because it is a smaller venue than he is used to performing in—the old Missouri State Penitentiary!!! That means you would be pretty up close and personal during the concert. So please let folks know how to get tickets.

Click for Tickets

Here’s the link to the web page where you can get your tickets, or click on the photo of the MSP walls. I hope you'll want to go to prison with Travis Tritt—and me—on July 2! Join us for this historic event! 

You can also see my recent interview on ABC 17, where I "serenaded" host Joey Parker with some Travis Tritt lyrics!  

Oh, yes—here's a quarter.

Mayor Uncovers the Truth About Why "News Tribune" Has Been So Good This Year

Little did I know when I was asked to choose the best decorated department at the News Tribune that I would discover why they have been so good this year...so now rather than being the reported I get to be the reporter!

It was a difficult task as there were so many great decorations, but some were definitely better than others!  (That being said I hope News Tribune will continue to report the news about me nicely and accurately!!)

I started with the Front Office/Classified Dept, I forgot to get a photo but they certainly had excellent use of newspaper, folding it up into trees, rolling it into snowmen.  All decorations were made of newspaper.  Just think of all the city/county news that is rolled up into snowmen now!

Now for the Newsroom.  Theme was "whatever we had on our desks."  That explains the coffee mugs (some not clean,) the gnome and the coupon for a free margarita!

Now for "The Suite."  Their theme was "Sweet and Simple."  VERY simple.....!

This must be what happens when they put the Editor, Richard in charge of the decorating! I would NEVER say that he should stick to writing his editorials rather than holiday office decor, I would never do that because who knows what might come up in a future editoral column!  Yes VERY NICE job decorating, and just think how easy it will be to put away after the holidays!  Brilliant!

Now upstairs to Advertising...well WELCOME to me!  Look at this lovely welcome mat! 

And look at that, the mayor and her mother making baklava!  And Hallmark ads, I think we have a WINNER!!!!

HI FROSTY!  WOW a Newspaper Snowman!  And again, the Mother of the Mayor and her famous Baklava recipe!

Can I ask you a question Frosty?  I'll be taking notes and this interview will be recorded!

Look at these good News Tribune boys and girls!  What is their secret!  LOOK IT'S SUGAR-BUTTON, THE NEWS TRIBUNE ELF ON THE SHELF!  (AKA Janet Ousley!)  Sugar-Button is reading the issue of Her Magazine featuring the mayor and her mother's famous baklava recipe!  No wonder they are all so good here!  All snug in their newspaper-covered desks, surrounded by Carrie's Hallmark advertisements on the wall!  But I can assure you I judged this contest fairly as I always do!!!

WINNERS!!!  WAIT...Is Sugar-Button giving the Mayor rabbit ears????

Now to Circulation, I have to say the decoupage newspaper ornaments are beautiful!

Even the bows made of newspaper!

Love the snowman door!

Well after some snacks I conferred with Commissioner Bushman to review and we made our selection with Advertising being the unanimous choice, another example of city/county partnership!  Thanks for allowing me to be a "Mayor Judge" today!  I enjoyed everyone's festive enthusiasm at News Tribune!!