`AUBURN PARK PLACE' PLANS REVEALED

Drury Southwest will fill a vacant corner near the intersection of Route K and Mount Auburn Road.

Robert Drury, president of Drury Southwest, has announced plans for a new high profile commercial retail complex at the southeast corner of the intersection.

"Groundwork on the project started last week," Drury said. Infrastructure for the first building is already under way."

Plans for "Auburn Park Place" were revealed last week. They call for more than 200,000 square feet of space, including:

-- A 5,000-square-foot, 220-seat restaurant, scheduled to open in 1995.

-- 60,000 square feet of commercial rental space in a strip shopping center setting.

-- Up to 60,000 square feet in a multi-level (six- to seven-story) office building.

-- About 80,000 square feet in a four-level parking garage.

-- Rental space for an additional two restaurants.

The master plan calls for as many as eight buildings, surrounding the parking garage.

"Plans for the first phase of the project are continuing," said Larry Westrich, director of leasing for Drury Southwest. "A lease for the first restaurant has been signed, and we're looking to a mid-1995 opening."

The name of the restaurant will be announced later.

"We're also talking to a number of retail businesses, which have already expressed an interest in locating in the new development," Westrich added. "These businesses will complement the other businesses already located in nearby West Park Mall and the surrounding area."

"This will be a real showcase project," said Randy Holdman, of Drury Southwest. "It will be the first thing people see when they exit the interstate and head into Cape Girardeau."

Drury Southwest, headquartered in Cape Girardeau, operates a number of local businesses, and also businesses in Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas and Michigan, including 11 hotels, which are owned by Drury Southwest and operated as part of the Drury Hotel Chain.