DEVELOPMENT: Sikeston revitalizes downtown area

SIKESTON, Mo. — Like many other small communities, shopping areas in Sikeston had moved to the fringes and the downtown area was looking deserted.

"Downtown used to be the heart of our community," said Linda Lowes, government affairs director for the city of Sikeston. "It was a bustling, vivacious area of our city. The residents did not want to lose the heart of the community."

About three years ago, Lowes said, the former Downtown Merchants Association got together with a group interested in historical preservation and began talking about combining an interest in preserving historical buildings and developing Sikeston's economy. From that was born the Historical Midtown Development Group, an organization made up of a cross section of the community who work in conjunction with the city and state government. They have been working to restore a 12-block area of the Bootheel community not just to improve the business community, but to include the arts, historical development, and cultural interests as well.

"We're noticing a lot of success, a lot of movement," Lowes said.

Work has begun and is continuing with some assistance from state Neighborhood Assistance Grant money, a Missouri Department of Transportation enhancement grant, and designation as a Dream Team City. The bandstand at Malone Park has been restored and the city has been taking up asphalt to expose the brick streets underneath and give the area an historic look.

"We're looking at sidewalks, parking, benches, trash receptacles and period lighting in our downtown area," said Jonathan Maloyed, president of the Historical Midtown Development Group.

Most of what the HMDG has focused on lately, Maloyed said, are things that can't be seen: learning about design, studying how to use the community's resources, learning how to build a plan.

"We're looking at how we can sell downtown Sikeston, the kind of businesses we have and how do we lure additional businesses to downtown," Maloyed said.

Some new businesses have moved in downtown, Lowes said, and others are considering it.

"There is a lot of movement and planning all the time, but I find that many of our merchants want it to happen immediately," Lowes said. "Patience is one of our problems. We know it may be decades before we get to that point."

Maloyed said he prefers to think of the project as a work in progress, one that evolves but really doesn't have a stopping point.

The beauty of the revitalization effort is that everyone in the community can participate if they desire, Lowes said. Everybody in the city also benefits. The city hosted an ice cream social at the newly-renovated bandstand. A farmers' market is held at the American Legion park every Saturday. The HMDG has included members of the Sikeston Little Theater Group, and is also encouraging the renovation and restoration of some of the historical old homes in the area.

"We want to actively revitalize the historical as well as retail and economic development, and if we create some jobs along the way, even better," Lowes said.

"We want to make it more economically viable and bring in viable businesses whether they be small businesses or crafts, and put people to work for a good living wage. So many good things are going to come of it."