Cape city council approves LaSalle Avenue easements

The Cape Girardeau City Council met Monday evening to discuss items for the development of roads and businesses in the city. The acquisition of easements for the construction of LaSalle Avenue at the new interchange of Interstate 55 and East Main Street was one of the first items on the agenda.

While the Jackson side of the interchange at I-55 is complete, the Cape Girardeau side is behind Jackson in construction. The council voted to proceed with the acquisition of easements for development.

Mayor Jay Knudtson said not to be alarmed by the apparent lack of construction taking place on the Cape Girardeau side.

Jackson has been pursuing the project at the interchange for 10 to 12 years, according to the mayor, and has made it one of the town's top priorities. Cape Girardeau decided only four years ago to pursue the project and has worked rapidly to complete it, he said.

"We feel very good about how quickly we've moved," Knudtson said.

Property has been acquired for LaSalle Avenue to be four lanes, but the initial construction will be for only a two-lane road in certain parts, as required by Transportation Trust Fund III.

Knudtson expressed hope that the road will need to be developed into four lanes in the future and that the interchange would represent the northern limits of the city.

No schedule for construction has been determined yet, but the city manager's office projects bids for contractors will come before the city council by the end of June. Construction is expected to be completed in 2009.

In other action, a new liquor license for Pink Galleon Billiards & Games caused some concern for Councilwoman Marcia Ritter. The new attraction will be situated in the same building as a preschool.

"Generally, you like to restrict things that aren't really compatible," she said.

Knudtson expressed confidence that there would be no mingling between the two groups because of their different hours.

The liquor license for Pink Galleon Billiard & Games was approved unanimously.

The meeting agenda also involved discussion of an ordinance for the acquisition of property for a new trail from the Cape LaCroix Trail to the Campus Conservation Center at Cape County Park North.

The trail would run parallel to Route W and intersect Lexington Avenue near Kingshighway. In 12 to 18 months, the Campus Conservation Center will be connected to the river by the trail.

Knudtson expressed little concern about the possibility of the trail leading to an increase in crime. There has been some graffiti on the existing trails in the city, he said, but most of the perpetrators have been identified and "the benefits far outweigh the negativity. ... It defines the quality of life that our citizens have come to expect."

Two ordinances for the construction of businesses within residential districts were also on the agenda Monday evening.

The first permit was for the installation of a 6-feet-by-2-feet wall sign at 1021 Bloomfield St. where Patrick and Tamara Buck plan to operate a convenience store and deli. No complaints have been voiced against the construction of the wall sign, according to the mayor.

Jerry Cooley, an owner of a property in the neighborhood, spoke against the ordinance at a meeting April 9 with a concern for off-street parking facilities. The conditions for the authorization of the permit are for the parking facilities to be screened and for any additional lighting to be aimed away from the existing houses.

The city council unanimously approved a sign on a post for a retail business at 401 S. West End Blvd. to be run by Kristyn Bryant.