University To Raze Broadway Buildings.
Gee, I Didn't See That One Coming.

I don't understand you morons who always come on here and bash the University everytime they want to build and expand or make the campus look nicer!!!

It seems as though everyone likes progress... unless it's coming from the university.

Take a drive even just around the state. Look at SLU, University of Missouri-Columbia, Southwest (excuse me) "Missouri State", and other similar sized universities in Missouri. They all do the same stuff, they all have campus beautification projects, they all have fountains, they all have elaborate entrances to campus, etc.

Gotta keep up with the Jones' folks, climb out from under your rocks. Besides, the state gives an alotted amount of money to the University that can only be used for things such as campus beautification, so why NOT use it???

but who can stay mad at SEMO for spending more money on shiny fountains.....it's not like they're cutting entire departments out of their curriculum because of a lack of funds.....oh, wait...my bad.

Well, it’s about time someone “grew a pair” and stand up to the University. Really – c’mon!!! I wonder how long the University has owned that property at 834 B’way, and has just left it to become derelict over the years, just so it looks blighted to the average Joe and thus prime for demo...? Guess what – the b&w photo of the old service station was taken from the top of a historic building across the street (katty-corner), one that had roots to the community’s German roots – but that building is now gone, too!!! The Howard’s building is by no means decrepit or ready to fall down, and it could be easily rehabbed. What is to gain when that building is gone? I’ll tell you – just about 15 parking spaces!!! Well, whoop-tee-doo! “They paved paradise, and put in a parking lot”…

What “improvements” the University has done to date along Broadway are disgusting!!! These older buildings should be maintained along the street so that we do not totally loose the character of Broadway – or, put another building there – anything but another parking lot!!!

Why is there no Broadway Development District? I bet it’s that the University just bulldozes their way past anyone in the community with a voice. Thank you for raising this concern Mr. Brad. It is time for the University to become a better neighbor to the City of Cape Girardeau and the larger area community.

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty certain that the Missouri General Assembly does not allocate any money to any University specifically earmarked for campus beautification. Perhaps, SEMO is getting money from the feds. That’s possible. The University Budgetary Pants have many, many pockets, so it is virtually impossible to pin-point where money is originating from.

I am not opposed to the University expanding their domain or making the campus look more attractive. However, there are different ways of approaching what is perceived, as “progress” and I don’t always agree with the bulldozer approach that the University tends to use.

One problem I believe is that the University has cultivated a reputation over the years of acquiring and then demolishing many properties that surround it.

That has attracted a number of “investors” who have bought up buildings adjacent to the campus and run them into the ground. What do they care? They can milk those buildings for all they’re worth until the University Foundation either buys them out or issues them a hefty tax credit. But in the meantime it makes those properties and by association the adjacent campus look dilapidated. It’s hamster-wheel mentality.

That’s my two cents for now. Gotta get back under my nice, warm rock.

Thanks for reading.

Well said, JacksonJazzMan!

And Joe Redhawk, we don't have to keep up with the Jones! It would actually make SEMO unique if it didn't. Fiscal responsiblity would be a great thing to start!

So where do you think the statute of Dobbie is going?

I didn't realize that place had been sold! It was Coburn's Auto Service, and I'd been there a few times in the last few years for inspections. He and my grandpa were friends back in the day, and my dad has some childhood stories of that place. I thought I had no attachment to these buildings until I saw the pictures- proven wrong.

Also, while SEMO keeps cutting programs (for example, my husband's a few years back, after he had taken many now-useless classes), they need more parking and beautification? I understand other universities are doing it, but other universities are probably not cutting education to fund another parking lot. Not to mention, they'll charge for that parking, some ridiculous amount for a parking pass a mile away, while there are closer areas to park for free. How many buildings do they own that they haven't done anything with yet? SEMO keeps me in a constant state of confusion with the way their (our education) money flies.

Brad, before you turn Houck Stadium into a parking lot, remember SEMO has a top notch, and usually winning womens soccer program that uses that field. Unlike the football program, the soccer program deserves a good field to play on and if the university ever figures out the football program isn't working they can throw some of that money at a mens soccer program.

I stand corrected on the Houck Stadium comment. I was myopically thinking football only used it, but that is of course not the case.

Thanks for reading.

A few points here...

1. they need to put back up the Indian Chief on top of the entryway to Houck

2. as a SEMO student I particpated in a survey today via the SEMO student website. The survey was asking if the school should use funds to put in one of those stupid old-timey clock towers in the middle of Normal street between Academic Hall and Kent library. I gave my two cents worth and said no.

3. the gum tree needs to be replanted and re-gummed

I remember reading the auction bill. To paraphrase, it said due to the building being sold they had been forced out of business and sold everything to the highest bidder.

As far as Houck getting the Indian Chief back, does that statue even exist any more? And if so, I wonder where it is? Unless a Redhawk was sitting on the Chief's shoulder, I don't see that happening.

Thanks for reading.

I was a lot more comfortable with SEMO being the indians than Jackson. Andrew Jackson HATED American Indians. He declared a state of emergency (because congress voted him down) to evacuate the American Indians because they found gold on the land. It's like Hayti changing their mascot to...i dunno...Strom Thurmond?

Yep - we need more old-timey clock towers, fountains and light poles...THAT is progress, in the minds of those that sit on committees and provost boards...Did anyone wake up today and realize that we now live in the 21st century...and that the refinements of 19th century do not really fit with our contemporary communities..?? Oh yeah, it IS the University we are discussing which is not known for its forwrad-thinking...BTW, what's so wrong about the fountain in front of Kent Library? I always thought it was oversized, but it looks good to me.

Regarding where the Indian Chief is now... I don't really know for sure. The last time I remember seeing or hearing anything about it was a newspaper article that showed a photo of the Indian Chief laying down on top of the dump pile SEMO used to have over by the Show Me Center (I think that was the location). I was astonished that they couldn't have given him a PROPER Indian burial. It may have been a Capaha Arrow newspaper photo many moons ago.

The former SEMO Indian statue may still be in that dump pile (amazing...) - It was a ravine where the old Dairy barns once were, very near where current greenhouses are, both conveniently close proximity to the President's home...If I remember correctly.