Downtown group to advertise near new Cape bridge

Billboard leased for three years

Business Today

The Cape Girardeau Downtown Merchants Association has signed a three-year lease with Jansco Outdoor Advertising for exclusive rights to the billboard on Asher Street that will be seen by about 15,000 people who will drive on the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge each day.

The 12-by-24-foot sign is located on the north side of the new Highway 74, just west of the Fountain Street exit. It will be the only billboard at the Missouri base of the bridge and the only billboard between the bridge and West End Boulevard.

One side of the billboard will be for use of the association, primarily alerting drivers to the fact that Cape Girardeau's scenic downtown - and its shops, restaurants and other businesses - is just a few blocks away.

The other side of the billboard will be used for downtown businesses, with plans to change the sign every six months. The association also has first option on renewing the contract with Jansco when the lease expires in 2006. The association is paying about $850 a month to lease the sign.