An effort by city officials to add Downtown Sedalia to a redevelopment plan accounting for nearly a fifth of the city was tabled by the city council Monday, Dec. 16.

The council voted to table the proposed addition to the Midtown Residential Area, following comments made during a public hearing that were critical of the proposal. Mayor Andrew Dawson tells KMMO News that the city needs to provide a better understanding about the purpose of the redevelopment plan.

The plan was established in 2020 by the Sedalia Redevelopment Corporation, established under Chapter 353 of Missouri state statutes. Dawson says the plan provides economic incentives for property owners to remove blight and promote further investment in their neighborhoods.

When established, the redevelopment area covered nearly 5000 parcels generally north of 16th Street and east of Park Avenue, but excluded about 40 blocks in downtown Sedalia. Dawson says the city believes parts of downtown could also benefit from being part of the plan.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council approved a number of public works projects including a $1,484,918 water and sewer main extension to the new Prairie Hollow subdivision, and extended the completion date for aeration improvements at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant to Jan. 20. The council also adopted an ordinance proclaiming the city’s commitment to to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2032 through its Safe Streets for Sedalia Action Plan, and accepted a donation from Owens Corning for $1500 for repairs to the fire department’s fire extinguisher demonstrator.