Cardiovascular Consultants unveils plans for former K's Merchandise property

Office manager Lois Soellner admits that navigating inside the 12,100-square-foot building at 25 Doctors Park can pose a challenge for physicians and other employees of Cardiovascular Consultants.

Built in the 1980s, the facility in northwest Cape Girardeau was originally intended for four physicians but has seen a steady increase of patients, employees and physicians throughout the years, increasing the need for additional space. Its nine physicians share offices and exam rooms. About 100 patients are treated each day, although that number increases to about 220 on "Pacemaker Fridays."

But in 17 months, employees will breathe a bit easier when the medical business relocates to a new 27,000-square-foot building that will be constructed on the former K's Merchandise lot on the corner of Broadview Street and Bloomfield Road. The building housing K's Merchandise had been vacant since the company closed its doors early last year, and was recently razed along with the parking lot.

The move will more than double the medical business' square footage and provide 20 exam rooms. Soellner said the employees' top amenity choice was more natural light, which will be provided by the building's many windows.

Because of the uncertain weather and cold temperatures that winter can bring, construction on the is set to begin in March, with a scheduled completion date of February 2010. Since the business plans to occupy only a portion of the property, they eventually will sell unused land to other companies.

"It's exciting whenever a business chooses to build on a property that has been unused for a while," Soellner said. "We've wanted to do this for five years but it's taken time to get all the details worked out. We're so cramped right now, so it will be great to have some breathing room."

Soellner said the reason for the delay in relocating the medical business was a combination of timing and finding the right location, contractor and architect.

At first, the business felt it needed to build on a property near Interstate 55 for easy access for their patients, the majority who are not from Cape Girardeau. However, the 25 properties they explored proved to be too expensive.

That's when they discovered the property that K's Merchandise once called home.

"In today's economy you're trying to get the best deal for your money," Soellner said. "Our new location will be perfect, as it's heavily traveled but still quiet."

In July, Cardiovascular Consultants finalized its purchase of the 98,121-square-foot building, the largest structure in the region for sale at the time on the commercial market.

The structure was originally built as a Central Hardware store, which opened in March 1989. In May 1993 the chain announced it was closing a dozen of its 39 stores, including the Cape Girardeau location.

K's Merchandise executives held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 14, 1996, to celebrate the store's grand opening. The store sold such goods as jewelry, household appliances, cookware, lawn and garden furniture and electronics.

But that success was short-lived.

The company experienced problems competing in many categories and with many players — national big-box operators, specialty stores and online shopping. On Oct. 5, 2006, company executives announced they were closing all 17 of their stores, citing financial problems. The company's final month of business was in January 2007, leaving the building empty.

John Mehner, president and chief executive officer of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, is ecstatic that Cardiovascular Consultants has made a commitment to build on the former K's Merchandise property.

"They are part of a market sector that is so important to the regional economy — the medical field," he said. "And anytime 'dark' space is put back into use, it is a good thing."

Mitch Robinson, executive director of Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, said Cardiovascular Consultants is doing what should happen in any area with many old, outdated and non-performing properties.

"The doctors made a business decision to demo the building and construct exactly what they wanted rather than make an existing building fit their needs," Robinson said. "I see this as a very positive move for the other undeveloped property in that area and for the existing vacant space. When this project is completed by Cardiovascular Consultants it will be a model for the entire community."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137