JEFFERSON CITY — Budget writers in the Missouri House agreed Thursday to spend more than $30 million to help redevelop downtown areas in two cities.

As part of the House Republican spending plan for brick-and-mortar projects, the capital city would receive $20 million to build a convention center, parking lot and hotel near the Capitol building.

And, for a second year, lawmakers are again looking to spend $11 million to redevelop an aging commercial district in Cape Girardeau.

Both projects are controversial.

Jefferson City officials were grilled by lawmakers last week over their plan for a $130 million downtown convention center aimed at boosting tourism to the city when the Legislature is not in session.

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City Administrator Brian Crane asked members of the House Budget Committee for $20 million to help pay for a new parking garage across the street from the Governor’s Mansion, which would serve a new 200-room hotel and a 40,000-square-foot convention center.

Rep. Louis Riggs, R-Hannibal, questioned whether that was a good use of state tax dollars.

“I come from a town that could really use a conference center itself, but we’re not going to ask you for $20 million,” Riggs said.

Rep. Scott Cupps, R-Shell Knob, appeared incredulous about the funding request.

“Man, this is a lofty ask,” Cupps said.

Rep. Bill Owen, R-Springfield, said the state could instead open agency facilities in other parts of the state if Jefferson City cannot handle the pressures of hosting state government.

On Thursday, however, the project moved through the budget process without debate as the committee put final touches on the state’s $52 billion spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Money for the parking garage was pulled out of a separate project designed to redevelop the shuttered Missouri State Penitentiary, a crumbling complex of cell blocks located several blocks east of the Capitol building.

“There is clearly not support in this committee for making the prison into a $100 million attraction,” said House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca. “The parking garage will benefit state government.”

Rep. John Voss, R-Cape Girardeau, said work on the development in his hometown could launch soon after the budget goes into effect in July.

“That portion of my district has some of the highest poverty rates in the state of Missouri,” Voss said. “It’s just an area that is in desperate need of revenue.”

The project, which will happen in partnership with Southeast Missouri State University, was nixed last year after red flags were raised about election year politics playing a role in the project.

Efforts to improve the area known as the Haarig Commercial Historic District have been heavily funded by oil company owner Scott Blank.

The district is located six blocks southwest of the city’s downtown commercial center along the Mississippi River and is composed of 14 buildings constructed between 1875 and 1935, historical records show.

Plans call for SEMO to expand its music and arts programs in the buildings. Officials also are counting on new restaurants and retail establishments coming to the city of 40,000 residents.

The ranking Democrat on the budget committee said she was pleased with the outcome of the House spending plan.

“Today was a good day. This has been the most collaborative and productive budget year that I’ve been a part of,” said Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield.

A final vote in the full House is expected next week. Projects could be added or subtracted with the blueprint goes to the Senate.

The legislation is House Bills 18-20.

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