Funding for Lewis and Clark monument still tenuous

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Meriwether Lewis and William Clark made good use of Missouri's natural transportation system when they paddled up the Missouri River two centuries ago.

But a plan by Missouri transportation officials to spend $800,000 in federal funds for a monument honoring the explorers could face a bumpy road.

At least one transportation commissioner says it would be a public relations nightmare for the state.

The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission was to consider the issue at a meeting Thursday, but at the last minute officials from the Federal Highway Administration office in Jefferson City put the project on hold for about a week while the application for funding is reviewed.

"We haven't rejected anything at this point," said Ed Cordero, assistant division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration in Missouri.

This year, Missouri received about $14 million in federal transportation enhancement funds. About two-thirds of the federal funding received under the program since 1993 has gone for bicycle and pedestrian trails, highway beautification and historic restoration projects. None of the money can go toward paving roads.

Bill McKenna, a former state lawmaker and member of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, said funding the monument would be an unwise move.

Negative perception

"I personally don't think it's a good idea because the money can be used for bicycle trails and pathways and other things that can enhance the highway system," McKenna said Thursday. "This is all about perception, and people have a negative perception of us. This isn't money that helps fill potholes, but sometimes perception becomes reality."

The department has been marked by controversy since faulty financial projections resulted in the scrapping of a 15-year highway plan in the 1990s. And in August 2002, Missouri voters overwhelmingly defeated a tax proposal that would have raised more than $500 million annually for transportation.

Henry Hungerbeeler, the department director, told the commission that he believes the monument meets federal criteria for how the money can be used. He noted that Lewis and Clark traveled through Missouri and used the Missouri River as a main source of transportation.

"I think it has a very clear transportation connection," Hungerbeeler said of the monument. "It is clearly eligible" for funding.

The transportation funds would provide the bulk of the money for the estimated $991,000 monument, which would be built on a grassy lot between the Capitol and Governor's Mansion just across the street from the Transportation Department building. The location for the monument was approved last year by the state Board of Public Buildings.

Monumental task

Sally Sprague, a member of Jefferson City's Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Task Force that is spearheading the monument effort, said Thursday that she was not disappointed by the decision to delay final MoDOT funding for the project.

"We've been working on this for two-and-a-half years, (so waiting longer) is not going to make much difference," said Sprague, who believes the monument is an important part of preserving Missouri's heritage.

The monument includes five bronze statutes of Lewis and Clark; Clark's slave York; George Drouillard, an interpreter and hunter; and Lewis' dog, Seaman. The display also will include a reflecting pool and a walkway leading to the Capitol.

Jefferson City is planning a Lewis and Clark celebration for June 4, 2004 -- exactly 200 years after the expedition stopped in the area.

Several monuments and memorial are currently located on the Capitol grounds, including one depicting the signing of the Louisiana Purchase.

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On the Net

Transportation Department: www.modot.state.mo.us