A project that has been a few years in the making is seeing a revival in Jefferson. 

In 2019, the Jefferson City Council approved close to $245,000 of general obligation bonds that were reimbursed with tax increment financing as part of an overall shared use path project, including an eight-foot wide sidewalk on West Central Avenue from Highway 4, which stopped at the Greene County High School property. Greene County School District Superintendent Brett Abbotts says he recently met with Jefferson City Administrator Scott Peterson, Greene County Engineer Wade Weiss and Region XII Council of Governments about how this project could be completed, with the sidewalk extending out to the high school.

Abbotts points out that there is a grant opportunity through Region XII that is being applied for, which jumpstarted the conversation again.

“Really kind of excitement behind that of knowing that there are some federal funds that we can take advantage of that will help pay for a very, very large chunk of this. And even since kind of announcing that at the school board (meeting), having some others come forward and asking in which ways they could support and help out with that as well, has been pretty cool as well.”

Abbotts is supportive of the project, emphasizing one of the main reasons to see this project come to fruition.

“I think it’s making sure that we stress the importance of that it is a safe pathway to school, it’s off the road, with young and inexperienced drivers that are coming down Grimmell (Road), before and after school for kids that do use that as a mode of transportation, where they may have to walk, it does provide them a safe, clean, clear access to be able to get to school.”   

Abbotts adds that the total estimated cost of the project is about $335,0000 and the grant application is due in January. He says if the grant is awarded, the school district would only pay 15-20 percent of the cost.