Cape Girardeau's Downtown Strategic Plan has included new residential spaces

Cape Girardeau, especially downtown Cape, is nothing if not quaint. The murals, the buildings, even the street lamps ooze river-town charm.

For some, it's the shopping. For others, it's the night life. Some people just appreciate the bike-to-work convenience and simplicity of downtown living.

Whatever the reason, Cape Girardeau has seen some upgrades lately that are making it easier for residents to call downtown home.

As part of Missouri's DREAM initiative, Cape Girardeau's 2009 Downtown Strategic Plan included 10 proposals to help revitalize the area. Between plans to develop the Fountain Street arts district and establish new signage was a plan to increase residential development in the Old Town Cape district.

It called for developers and property managers to work toward converting existing buildings and second-floor rooms into living spaces that could then be advertised to empty-nesters, young professionals and the Southeast Missouri State University community.

One example of the DREAM program's success is the restoration of the Vasterling Suites. Cara Clements is part of the team that manages the historically renovated residential space behind Philanthropy, a women's boutique on Broadway.

"Downtown has definitely come alive," she says. "We've been very fortunate to see the interest of professionals and even some later-stage students."

The luxury loft apartments have been open for about a year, and Clements sees the revitalization movement as a success.

"We're very excited about what Cape Girardeau has done to enhance the downtown area," she says. "Look at how many wonderful storefronts have opened up down there. ... Within a few blocks you could be walking to the university or walking to the casino or your favorite mom and pop shops."

The GM building on Main Street is another historically renovated residential space downtown. The first floor houses two office spaces, and through the big copper doors in the center is a staircase to eight roomy loft apartments.

Dave Soto, owner of Soto Property Solutions in Cape Girardeau, manages the building and says he can understand the appeal of living downtown.

"There's restaurants and bars and parking," he says. "And you have the river right there. Those are the attractions."

And as expected, Soto says the clientele are mostly professionals, some of them university professors.

Development of the space between Broadway and the casino is in the works as well. Kenny Pincksten of Prestige Development says he's working on a project that would be about 80 percent residential and the rest commercial.

It will be new, but Pincksten says not to worry: He's keeping the downtown Cape Girardeau aesthetic.

"It's going to look like it belongs there," he says.