Tourism

·  Create a marketing plan to include the Kirkpatrick Building (the State Archives), Rotary Park, new visitors' center, St. Peters Church, the Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Supreme Court, Jefferson Landing, Lewis and Clark and other capitol memorials, the Benton Murals, Cole County Historical Society Museum, a restored Capitol Avenue, the railroad depot, the redeveloped and preserved MSP with adjacent riverfront development, Soldier's Memorial and the Missouri Highway Patrol Museum.

·  Create a Harry S Truman whistle-stop museum from the railroad depot.

·   Market the area as a Missouri Heritage Venue---including the Churchill Memorial and the Truman home and Library.

·   Facilitate the creation of enhanced meeting and exposition space in or near this Capitol Historic District.

·    The value of the redevelopment of the MSP site and the area around it, including the riverfront, cannot be overemphasized. It has tremendous potential and must be a priority in our economic development program. Please read my position paper dedicated to MSP redevelopment.

Neighborhoods, Historic Preservation, and  Economic Development
 After years of study, travel, discussions, and reflection, I have come to realize that the historic preservation movement is about much more than saving old buildings.
 I have witnessed the economic impact of preservation in numerous cities throughout the nation, including several in Missouri. There have been recent successes here in Jefferson City like O'Donoghue's, Ecco, Prison Brew, the one hundred block of Dunklin Street, and Warwick Village to name some of them.
 It is also about reversing the downward spiral in older neighborhoods. Put another way, it is about counteracting urban decay. The Old Town board of directors and coporate structure are a major part of Jefferson City's effort to restore and support the "core" of our city. It deserves everyone's support and encouragement.
 Forthright and honest communications can do wonders as can a willingness to listen and be open-minded. These lessons I have learned the hard way and very slowly. But, I have learned them nonetheless.

Eric Struemph
 "We all know what a great place Jefferson City is, thanks to the JCCVB, the word is getting out!  Because Jefferson City is the state capital, we have built in tourism opportunities as people visit the Capitol Building and have business with legislators and other state officials.  We must make the most of these opportunities and show those in town on business reasons to come back for conferences and leisure activities.
 A couple of the most obvious potential "draws" available to us are the Missouri State Penitentiary and a conference center.  Jefferson City will be working closely with federal, state and county entities in the coming years to ensure we make the most of the MSP site.  It is a historical gem and we have a rare opportunity to preserve history while developing for our future.  I take this responsibility very seriously and look forward to watching what has been a dream for many in our community come to fruition.
 Jefferson City voters will decide if a lodging tax is an avenue to a new convention center for Jefferson City.  Whether they pass the tax or not, we must pursue developing a conference center.  Jefferson City has been discussing a conference center for about 80 years.  The time for action is now!  Jefferson City is home to dozens of trade associations, major corporations, state government, health care and educational communities, and numerous other entities that would love to host state and regional activities in Jefferson City.  Our central location, our eager workforce and our hospitality make Jefferson City ideal for conferences.  We must band together, take action and build the facility."