Q&A with Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape

Redevelopment of downtown Cape Girardeau is a hot topic these days. One organization seeking to foster revitalization in the 130-block historic district is Old Town Cape. Leading the group is its executive director, Marla Mills, who assumed her role on Sept. 18, 2006.

Business reporter Brian Blackwell sat down with Mills before last week's ice storm for her view of Old Town Cape and how she sees the organization contributing to the growth of downtown Cape Girardeau.

Q: What prepared you for your role today?

A: A lot of this job is a mix of what I've done in the past. It's important that I've learned a lot about Missouri before coming here to Old Town Cape. Having 17 years of experience in nonprofit organizations helped me understand what I needed to succeed here. This job is a lot about volunteers and it's a volunteer-driven organization. My background working with volunteers gave me a good start that I otherwise may not have had if I hadn't work so closely with them beforehand.

Q: Perhaps one of Old Town Cape's most elaborate projects is the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri, or DREAM, Initiative. DREAM is helping produce a strategic plan for three of the city's downtown sections. Using volunteers and paid staff, DREAM projects have included focus groups, downtown community survey, land use and infrastructure study, visitor survey and assessments of tourism and marketing. The initiative awards money to smaller cities across Missouri for surveys and planning help. The program also puts those cities on a priority list for economic development grants and tax credits. What aspects of the DREAM Initiative are you most proud of since you came aboard?

A: The light we're looking for at the end of the tunnel is the downtown strategic plan. But it won't mean anything if we can't get funding for what's proposed. The strategic plan coordinates all the work that has been done so far, which are the results of focus groups, land-use studies, visitor surveys and market analyses.

It has and will continue to move the city forward. Part of that money we haven't seen in the projects just yet. Keep in mind that doesn't happen overnight. Because of the initiative we'll be able to complete those projects in two to three years. Finally the changes are starting to be noticed by the public.

We're extremely fortunate to be one of the first 10 cities included in this program. The DREAM Initiative has brought recognition for our community to others in the state and that may not have [have happened] had it not been for the initiative. It has raised awareness inside and outside our community. I can't say enough about the good it's done for Cape Girardeau.

Q: Former Gov. Matt Blunt was vital in handing out grants for the DREAM Initiative. But current Gov. Jay Nixon has proposed taking that money and giving it to small businesses. What does that say about the initiative's future?

A: The initiative has raised the awareness of our community on a state-wide level. Most of the money we've received may never have happened had it not been for the DREAM Initiative. For us the state signed an agreement that they'd see these services through and we expect they'll honor that commitment. The question is, will the extra funding for future programs continue? I feel confident we've gotten more than we've ever imagined. I believe the governor's initiative goes hand-in-hand with the DREAM Initiative. Our state is built on small businesses and small businesses are vital to a downtown's success. That's what the DREAM Initiative is all about. There comes a point where you only can have so many small communities where the DREAM Initiative will work.

Q: How beneficial has the strategic plan been for Cape Girardeau?

A: There's been a lot of hype about the DREAM Initiative. It has given a tremendous boom to our work here at Old Town Cape and allowed us to understand what we want to do to move our community forward. We will have a direction to head toward for the next five to 10 years. We'll have some great ideas for the future to build off.

Q: What are the most significant challenges facing Old Town Cape?

A: I never have enough time to accomplish all that needs to be done. Our biggest challenges are also our biggest opportunities. Most DREAM communities have a small section of town but we have a 130-block area. Our size may be large but that also allows us to accomplish a lot.

Q: What do you see as the future of Old Town Cape?

A: We are the only organization that represents the downtown business community. With what we're getting from the DREAM initiative and how it ties in to what's being done in the community gives us resources for a bright future. Change may come at a slow pace, but the end result will be worthwhile.