Cape council rezones land for upscale apartment complex for college students

The Cape Girardeau City Council rezoned a 17-acre tract at the southeast corner of Lexington Avenue and North Sprigg Street on Monday night, clearing the way for development of an upscale apartment complex that will cater mainly to college students.

Domus Development of Dallas is known for constructing stylish apartment complexes for college students that include amenities such as a club house and saltwater swimming pool.

The proposed project on the woody, vacant tract includes the possible development of an office building or a retail operation, such as a convenience store, city planner Ryan Shrimplin said.

Plans call for building up to 276 apartment units encompassing about 600 beds on 15.35 acres, which amounts to a density of 18 units per acre, Shrimplin wrote in an agenda report to the city council.

"It is going to be a sizable development," he said before the meeting.

Shrimplin said Domas specializes in constructing "upscale, almost-resort-type developments." Eric Jakimier, president of the development firm, appeared at a public hearing on the rezoning request.

Before the meeting, Jakimier said he is proposing to build one-, two- and four-bedroom units, with each unit having a common living area and kitchen. Each private bedroom would have its bathroom, he said.

The future retail/commercial part of the development has not been determined, Jakimier said.

Jakimier, an architect, said he tailors each housing project to reflect the community where it is. He estimated the Cape Girardeau project will cost about $29 million.

Since establishing his company in 2010, Jakimier said he has developed six student housing projects that are built or under construction. Each design has been unique, he said.

"So far, we have never duplicated anything," he said.

Jakimier said he is considering designing the Cape Girardeau development around a steamboat theme.

The city's planning and zoning commission had recommended approval of the project.

At Monday's meeting, council members rezoned the 15 acres from R-1, or single-family residential, to R-4, or medium density, multifamily residential. In addition, another 1.6 acres on the corner of the intersection was rezoned as an NC, or neighborhood commercial district.

Cape Girardeau's neighborhood commercial district is designed to provide small, retail/commercial services and offices that primarily serve people residing in adjacent residential areas.

"Additional requirements for light, air, building design, open space and landscaping are required to alleviate any adverse impact on surrounding neighborhoods," according to the city zoning ordinance.

Ward 6 Councilman Wayne Bowen said the developer still has to bring specific plans to the city staff to be reviewed before any construction begins.

Jakimier said he plans to open the apartment complex in August 2018.

Shrimplin aid the proposed site is less than a quarter-mile north of Southeast Missouri State University.

Shrimplin said the Domus project would add another apartment complex to that area of town.

City staff concluded the market for such housing was not saturated, and there is high demand for multifamily housing, he said.

Shrimplin said the developer researched the need for additional, privately run, off-campus student housing and met with university leaders to determine the feasibility of such a project.

In other action, the council agreed to hire Advanced Turf Solutions doing business as J & D Turf of Fishers, Indiana, to renovate three fields at Shawnee Park.

The work involves drainage, irrigation, soil and turf improvements.

The project is expected to take about three weeks, weather permitting.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.