Redevelopment Planned for Site of Jefferson City Prison

Jefferson City, MO – State and local officials have unveiled redevelopment plans for the old Missouri State Prison in Jefferson City.

Plans for the 140-acre site include government buildings, privately-owned residential and retail space, and preserving much of the historical prison facility. Kelvin Simmons heads Governor Nixon's Office of Administration:

"We'll continue to try to do the environmental, do the clean-up, get the infrastructure in place, and then the next thing is try to entice private developers."

A new federal courthouse is already under construction west of the old prison, and is set to open in 2011. Before closing in 2004, the old Missouri State Penitentiary was the oldest operating prison west of the Mississippi River.