Cape council takes first step to new police station

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved an ordinance Monday accepting transfer documents for a facility that could be the future home of the police department, but members cautioned the process has only just begun.

Council also approved resolutions convening a commission for a proposed tax increment finance district downtown.

The city negotiated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at no cost to assume ownership of a building at 2530 Maria Louise Lane, near the edge of Arena Park. Cape Girardeau already owns the property.

The facility originally served as a Navy Reserve center, then was transferred to the Army in 2007, and it vacated the building last year.

The property consists of 4.85 acres and two structures, a 22,526-square-foot administration/training building and a 96-square-foot storage building. Once the ordinance receives final council approval, the next few months will be dedicated to drawing up plans for the new station. City officials will weigh the costs of renovation or rebuilding.

An $11 million budget is available for the project. FGM Architects of Illinois has been contracted to evaluate needs and options for the police department's future home.

Councilman Mark Lanzotti said the building presented a "neat opportunity" for the city.

But he said it was important the public realize the action taken Monday night by the council is just a first step of many in a series of "evaluations and processes before any decisions are made."

Mayor Harry Rediger has expressed great enthusiasm for the project, but agreed the city would be taking its time as it proceeds.

"It is a great opportunity for the city, acquiring this building at zero cost," he said. "And as [Lanzotti] said, there will be a lot more planning and so forth to come."

Other business

The council also granted approval to a resolution convening a TIF commission.

Its responsibilities include hosting public hearings and making recommendations to the city concerning the adoption of redevelopment plans and projects.

The commission was created in 2002 to consider a proposed TIF district -- ultimately withdrawn by developers -- near Dalhousie Golf Club on Bloomfield Road, and has seen little action since. Included in the commission are six city appointments, two county appointments, two appointments from the Cape Girardeau School District and an appointment representing the other taxing entities in the area.

With the approval to convene, the city manager will notify all applicable taxing districts of the move and request the districts make appointments to the commission. The TIF district is bounded by Mason Street and Highway 74 on the north and south and spans east to west from Sprigg Street to the Mississippi River.

The district comprises 305 acres, according to city documents.

Council members also were unanimous in supporting a resolution authorizing the city manager to make recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation for Cape Air to continue providing air carrier service at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Cape Air has provided commercial flights from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis since 2009, and the airline was the airport advisory board's first choice to provide commercial flights at the airport for the next two years.

With the council's approval, the Department of Transportation also will receive a request in the contract to add two flights to each weekend day.

That would bring the total weekly number of round-trip flights between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis to 28.

The airline offers 24 weekly round-trip flights, including four daily on weekdays and two daily on weekends. The federal agency would need to approve the additional trips.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2530 Maria Louise Lane, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

40 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

860 Limbaugh Drive, Scott City, Mo.