PUBLIC TO HAVE INPUT ON FUTURE STREET PROJECTS

Come August, Cape Girardeau voters may be asked to extend the city's half-cent transportation sales tax. Since 1995, revenue from the tax has funneled into a Transportation Trust Fund for street improvements and construction projects throughout the city. The tax expires this year.

The Transportation Trust Fund is aptly named. The city has earned citizens' trust in carrying out the projects promised five years ago.

In considering a tax extension, the city is launching a series of community forums much like it did the first time around to designate the projects included in the plan.

The first of these public meetings is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at First Church of the Nazarene, 2601 Independence. Future meetings are set for April 11 at City Hall, April 12 at Osage Community Centre; April 13 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1820 Perryville Road; April 19 at the Salvation Army; and April 20 at Red Star Baptist Church, 1301 N. Main. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

These meetings, conveniently scattered throughout town, are the public's opportunity to speak up about which projects should be included.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has suggested about $20 million of projects to be funded by the estimated $20.6 million the sale tax would generate over the next five years. Some of the recommended projects:

* Widening Independence from Kingshighway to Pacific Street.

* General improvements to Independence from Sprigg Street to Water Street.

* Widening Siemers Drive from William Street to Bloomfield Road.

* Construction of Silver Springs Road from Southern Expressway to Kingshighway and from Shawnee Parkway to Southern Expressway.

* Construction of Bloomfield Road from Siemers Drive to Stonebridge, including a new bridge at Ramsey Creek.

* Widening and improving Broadway from Perry Avenue to Houck Place.

* Widening Mount Auburn Road from William Street to Bloomfield Road.

The city council must decide by May whether to place the measure on the August ballot. In considering this election, the city is going about it the right way -- with plenty of time and opportunity for public input and debate.