The Independence Square has been the City’s commercial center since the City was founded and the first Jackson County Courthouse was constructed ca. 1827.  Today, the streets of the area continue to occupy the town’s original grid system of rectangular blocks oriented on the cardinal directions and centered on a courthouse square. 

The groundwork for this redevelopment has been set through recommendations resulting from past development, implementation, and area plans, as well as other documents:

• Independence for All Strategic Plan (2017)
• Imagine Independence: Comprehensive Plan (2018)
• Downtown Redevelopment Coordinating Committee Report (2018)
• Truman Connected Plan (2020)
• Downtown Streetscape Action Plan (2020)

The City has advanced design services for Truman Connected Phase 1 and Square Streetscape Project.  It is anticipated construction on these projects would begin in 2024.  

A two-step approach would be utilized in the selection process:

Phase I: Issue Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit information to evaluate and determine which responders are the most highly qualified to successfully deliver the project.  The City will then develop a short list of respondents to advance to the second phase. 

Phase II: Issue Request for Proposals (RFP) to the short listed responders. The RFP would include an enhanced scope and evaluation criteria (e.g., financing alternatives, schedule, etc.). The City will award a contract based on the overall best value, project team, redevelopment plan (including public participation), and liklihood of success.