Major projects under way in downtown Cape

Business Today

Some new businesses are trying to get in on the ground floor of what many believe is the spring of a new epoch in Cape's downtown district. The four main projects -- the Marquette Hotel renovation into state office spaces; the development of the St. Vincent Seminary grounds into a performing arts campus, museum and visitors center; the construction of a new, $55 million federal court house; and the near-completion of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge -- have laid the groundwork for progress.

But while much of the focus has been on the major projects, several new businesses are moving in and old ones adding on.

"There's really a whole lot going on down here," said Chuck McGinty of the Downtown Merchants Association. "The four really big projects all play an important role in downtown and the vision of downtown. You just have to stand on Main Street and look at the bridge and it's a physical example of the future. There will be so much development, it will be a wise investment to start a business downtown."

Among the happenings, according to McGinty:

* Renaissance, a gift shop at the corner of Main and Broadway, is expanding.

* There are plans to extend Riverfront Park northward and add benches.

* The widening of William Street has begun at St. Vincent's Cathedral.

* Grace Café has moved to the corner of Pacific and Broadway, and a new Corner Café has moved into Grace's old spot.

* John and Jerri Wyman have taken over the old synagogue and plan on starting a children's library.

* Work on the Red House continues. The Red House is a replica of the home built by the city's founding father, Louis Lorimier. It will be part of a national Lewis and Clark bicentennial celebration in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 23.

* Private discussion is ongoing about some condominiums being built near the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

* The number and quality of apartments in downtown have been increasing.

Some businesses have left, too, but many say the tide is changing toward the better for downtown, an area that was almost forgotten as the city expanded west.

Tom Higgins, who owns an accounting and tax service in downtown Cape Girardeau is an officer with Old Town Cape, an organization aimed at revitalizing downtown.

"I don't know if I could prioritize all the projects," he said. "As far as infrastructure, I think the bridge and river campus will have the most impact because of the access we'll get with the Fountain Street Corridor."

The Fountain Street Corridor is another major project occurring downtown in conjunction with the bridge and the River Campus. City leaders have pushed for the new road, which will connect the bridge and the business district, to be completed by the time the bridge is finished by next fall.

But Higgins said the Marquette renovation and federal building will draw more people to the area.

"I think all four projects will have the biggest impact since they built the wall," he said.