PRESERVING HISTORY

A proposal by Cape Girardeau's city manager, Michael Miller, has injected new hope into the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation's plan to turn old St. Vincent's Seminary into a cultural center and museum.

Under the plan, the city will apply for $440,000 in federal funds through the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department to buy 16 acres of the old seminary property on the banks of the Mississippi River. The city would have to come up with $110,000 as a match for the grant money. If approved, the city would get a new park, with unobstructed river access, at its east entrance, plus right of way for an extension of Lorimier Street to connect with the new bridge route. Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation, which has battled lackluster financial support since it was formed, would get a needed infusion of cash that would allow it to get out from under its land-purchase debt to buy the historic property.

Those involved with the project call the proposal a win-win solution, but the well-intended plan has its share of potential hitches.

For one thing, approval of the grant -- the marrow of the plan -- seems a long shot. The $440,000 represents virtually all the money available for such projects in Southeast Missouri. A state highway official said it isn't likely a single project would get all the money, particularly money that's earmarked for transportation enhancement projects.

And where will the city's share of $110,000 come from? The city manager said he doesn't want to take the money out of the budget. Although he says he's trying to secure an outside funding source, he won't say what that source is until the money's in hand.

Some officials suggested using motel and restaurant tax money. Such a plan is certain to generate debate among various interests vying for the limited tax revenue.

Also, the city council has yet to approve the plan. Some council members, including Mayor Al Spradling III, are reluctant to involve the city in the seminary project without assurances that the foundation can afford to convert the seminary buildings into a cultural center and operate it. This seems a wise approach. The city can ill afford to be saddled with the buildings if the foundation is unable to raise enough money.

By all means, the city ought to apply for the grant if it will help Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation realize its dream and if the local matching funds can be found without jeopardizing other important projects. A city park on the riverfront at the point where a new Mississippi River bridge will connect Illinois with Cape Girardeau would be great.

At least the current plan has focused attention on the real issues surrounding the old seminary project. And maybe this time there will be sufficient answers to the many questions that have arisen to generate wider support.