The vacant AT&T tower at 909 Chestnut Street is seen Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in downtown 51黑料.
JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 A plan to subsidize the conversion of empty office buildings in downtown 51黑料 into residential dwellings fell short of the finish line as Missouri lawmakers adjourned for the year Thursday.
Despite bipartisan support aimed at pumping new life into the city鈥檚 urban core, the $50 million tax credit proposal sponsored by Sen. Steve Roberts, D-51黑料, did not advance far enough to be considered before the Republican-controlled House and Senate left town.
Under the plan, developers would be able to recoup a portion of the cost of converting office buildings into other uses, including residential and retail.
In particular, the proposal was seen as key to helping finance a remake of the 44-story AT&T tower, which has been vacant since the company left in 2017. The 21-story Railway Exchange building has been mostly empty since 2013, when Macy鈥檚 left the space. Combined, the buildings have 2.6 million square feet available.
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Roberts said the outcome was disappointing. And, given ongoing tensions between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, he is unsure the push will be renewed next year.
Sen. Steven Roberts, D-51黑料, at a press conference on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Jefferson City. Behind him are Kansas City Democratic Sens. Patty Lewis, left, and Barbara Washington.聽
鈥淭he question is when is it appropriate for the state to step in? We have these buildings that continuing to deteriorate and be a blight on the community,鈥 Roberts said. 鈥淭his provided a path to getting that done.鈥
鈥淣ot much, if anything, is going to get done next year,鈥 Roberts said.
Rep. Travis Wilson, a St. Charles County Republican, had been carrying a similar bill in the House that also did not advance. He did not predict what might happen next on the issue.
鈥淭he reality is that I care deeply about Missouri businesses. I also care about making sure Missouri has an attractive business climate. So, I鈥檓 going to do what I can to work toward that every day that I鈥檓 here in the Missouri Legislature,鈥 Wilson said Thursday.
The AT&T tower currently is owned by Boston-based real estate investment firm Goldman Group, which wants to redevelop the building to include more than 600 apartments and 80,000 square feet of retail space.
鈥淚t could have been a great gem for the area,鈥 Roberts said.
Charles Goldman, the firm鈥檚 managing partner, has opened the building to lawmakers to tour in hopes of winning support for tax credits that would help offset construction costs and lower rents that come with residential development.
He could not be reached for comment about the future of the $350 million project Thursday.
鈥淲e are not going back,鈥 yells Jen Krus, center, during a protest supporting abortion rights and paid sick leave on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
The measure was held hostage in the House after Speaker Jon Patterson said he wanted to see lawmakers eliminate paid sick leave provisions approved by voters in November.
The speaker and other Republicans argued that the state should be attempting to attract businesses at the same time companies will have to comply with more expensive sick leave laws.
The sick leave benefits were killed in the Senate Wednesday, but Roberts鈥 bill was not in a position to be taken up by the House on Thursday.
Roberts said one reason the legislation was held up in the House because of opposition to tax credits. But, he said the House also approved an $840 million plan to help finance new stadiums for the Kansas City Royals and the Chiefs.
鈥淭he hypocrisy of that is very frustrating,鈥 Roberts said.
The building tax credit plan is Senate Bill ill 6
EMPTY TOWER: After another potential buyer decides not to purchase downtown’s AT&T tower, David Nicklaus and Jim Gallagher discuss what might happen to the vacant property. It’s likely to remain empty for a long time, they conclude. Video by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com
Photos: Missouri House wraps up the final day of 2025 legislative session
Representatives throw papers into the air in the traditional paper toss marking the final moments of the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the House floor at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Representative Ken Waller, R-Herculaneum, wears a patriotic suit jacket on the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Waller says he wears the American flag themed sport coat to session every three weeks or so since buying it for July 4, 2024.
Representative Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville, sits with his daughter Rose, 9, during the waning minutes on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the House chamber at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
School children, including one clutching a bald eagle toy, watch the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the House chamber in Jefferson City.
Assistant Minority Floor Leader Representative Marlon Anderson, D-51黑料, leads a moment of silence for 51黑料 Police officer David Lee who died in the line of duty, on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the House floor in Jefferson City.
鈥淲e are not going back,鈥 yells Jen Krus, center, during a protest supporting abortion rights and paid sick leave on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Representative Wick Thomas, D-Kansas City, hugs Executive Director of PROMO Katy Erker-Lynch at a protest supporting聽voter-backed initiatives legalizing abortion and guaranteeing paid sick on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
House Speaker Jonathan Patterson, left, applauds as Gov. Mike Kehoe waves to representatives on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the House chamber at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Stephanie Boykin, D-Florissant, gives a shout out聽51黑料-area schools including STEAM Academy Middle School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District that were recognized as聽Missouri Gold Star schools聽on the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the House floor in Jefferson City.
Representative Ray Reed, D-51黑料, left, listens to a debate during the final day of the legislative session Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the House floor in Jefferson City.
Rep. Bennie Cook, R-Houston, grabs the microphone and shouts a warm welcome to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who made an appearance on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the House chamber at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Colleagues congratulate Representative Bruce Sassmann, R-Bland, on the passage of his invasive plants bill on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the House chamber at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
