AREA CONSTRUCTION HITS FEVERISH PITCH

Commercial and new-home construction, expansions and remodeling of property in Cape Girardeau and the area are at a feverish pitch.

Among the most visible projects are three commercial construction projects on the west side of Interstate 55. The framework is taking shape at the site of a new, $3.2 million Lowes Home Center and a new five-story hotel, being constructed by Drury Development Corp., near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Route K.

Also outlining the skyline is a structure by Drury Southwest Inc., located near the Fruitland Exchange off Interstate 55 .

Lowes, headquartered at North Wilkesboro, N.C., will open this year in Cape West Business Park alongside I-55 south of Route K. The company will operate a 115,000-square-foot retail center featuring lines of lawn and garden equipment; building materials; electrical, plumbing and electronics supplies; appliances and more.

The firm, which operates more than 300 stores in 20 states, is a Fortune 500 company and one of the nation's top 50 retailers.

The biggest commercial project is the new five-story, 118-room Drury Inn, which is being built north of the Cape Budget Inn at the corner of Siemers and Campster Drives. The new motel will face Interstate 55 and will include four meeting rooms, a five-story atrium, glass elevator and indoor pool.

During the first three quarters of 1993, Cape Girardeau has issued more than 500 building permits 74 of them for new homes calling for total construction of just over $24 million.

"Construction has been steady," said Rick Murray, city building inspector. "Homebuilders, developers and commercial builders are keeping us busy at the permit office. We're pleased with the way things are going."

The two biggest construction projects in the city's west end Drury Inn and Lowes have helped shove commercial projects past the $11.8 million mark for the year (this does not include the Drury Southwest building at the Fruitland exchange).

Another big project will be the construction of a new Salvation Army headquarters and multi-purpose building to be located on South Sprigg St. An $839,800 permit was issued for the new structure in August. Other notable permits included the $350,000 permit for expansion at West Park Village in the 2500 block of William; a $196,000 physician's office in the Mount Auburn area; a $190,000 car wash facility on Mount Auburn Road; and a $295,000 renovation project at West Park Mall.

New homes have added a big chunk to the construction scene.

"We have issued 74 permits through September, for a total of $7,694,030," said Murray. "That's an average of just over $106,000." The lists included two homes with costs exceeding a quarter-million dollars.

A surprise on the permit lists are multi-family residences.

"We have issued a total of 11 permits for residences housing two or more families," said Murray. Nine of the permits were for duplexes, but two were for apartment-type buildings.

One of the multi-family structures is a town-house layout which includes 10 units, being built at a cost of about $400,000.

"We're still looking at couple of large projects," said Murray. "We'll probably be issuing the permit for Sam's Club before the end of the year. And the permit for Red Lobster will probably be issued in December or January."

Besides new homes and commercial projects, other permits additions to commercial buildings and residences, carports, swimming pools, public buildings and signs have been issued during the first nine months of the year, totaling $4.1 million, all added to total $24.2 million figure.

The city would be hard-pressed to surpass the banner construction year of 1992, when permits were issued for more than $47 million in construction, almost doubling the $25.8 million of 1991.

But 1993 could become the second highest construction year during the past decade.

The 1992 construction total was pushed to record proportions with the $7 million permit for the Health Services Corporation of America on Mount Auburn Road and a $13 million contract for improvements and expansion at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"Those two projects accounted for almost half of the 1992 totals," said Murray.

Permit lists include single-family residences, apartment buildings, commercial buildings and additions to residences and commercial structures. They also include swimming pools, decks, garages, carports and signs.

"Most categories were up in 1992," said Murray. "This is an indication that the community is growing. We issued 89 one-family home permits. That's a category that could be topped by 1993 totals. We've been averaging about eight home permits a month."

At that rate, the home totals could near the 100 mark before year's end. During the past quarter, 32 home permits were issued.

Following is a look at building activity in Cape Girardeau for the first nine months of 1993, the record year of 1992, and the rest of the 1990s.

1993 (First nine months): 74 new houses at a cost of $7,694,030 (average $106,000); nine duplexes and two apartment buildings, $1,406,000; additions to residences and business buildings, signs, public buildings, $4.1 million. Total: $24.2 million.

1992 - (record year): 89 new houses at a cost of $10,600,000 (average $120,000); nine apartment or duplex units, $879,000; additions to residences and business buildings, $7,300,000; commercial buildings, $29,217,699. Total: $47,996,699.

1991 - 70 new houses at a cost of $8,080,000 (average $112,000); no apartment units; additions to residences and business buildings, $2,112,892; commercial buildings, $16,705,450. Total: $25,818,350.

1990 82 new houses at a cost of $6,176,051 (average $75,300); 84 apartment units, $1,662,000; additions to residences, $345,131; commercial building and additions, $17,333,237. Total: $25,517,419.