Members of the Jefferson City Community Center board and Second Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) submitted the following request April 17, 2023, to the city's Transportation and Traffic Commission:

The Jefferson City Community Center and Second Christian Church request that street parking be restored along both sides of Dunklin Street between Marshall and Cherry streets.

At the June meeting, the Transportation and Traffic Commission approved adding four parking spaces, two on each side just east of Marshall Street.

The commission further directed city staff to research options to restore more parking, particularly on the south side of both blocks. The results will be reviewed at the commission's August meeting, where they may take a vote.

For background, when the city reconfigured the intersection of Lafayette and Dunklin streets, it removed about 20 parking spaces along the street in the 600 and 700 blocks of Dunklin Street.

By signing this petition, you agree that street parking in these two blocks will improve the quality of life for Jefferson City residents.

Regaining parking along Dunklin Street in front of the Jefferson City Community Center and Second Christian Church is about more than the number of cars that pass through the intersection of Lafayette and Dunklin streets.

These two buildings are all that remains of a once-vibrant commercial district at the heart of Jefferson City’s Black neighborhoods during segregation. The removal of parking spaces has obstructed the ability for these two businesses to serve its community.

This past fall, the City of Jefferson approved The Foot as its first Historic Legacy District. 

While that action acknowledged the historic significance of what has been lost, the request before the Transportation and Traffic Commission could benefit the future of what remains.

(You are encouraged to attend the commission's meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday 8/3 at city hall.)