CAPE GIRARDEAU OUTGROWS ZIP CODES; THIRD BEING ADDED

Cape Girardeau is becoming a multizip-code city.

"Because of the growth of the city and immediate area, we're running out of the four-digit add-on for our current zip code," said Michael Keefe, manager of the Cape Girardeau Post Office. "Effective July 1, we'll be adding another zip code, 63703."

Independence Street will be the dividing line between 63703 and the current 63701 zip code.

"Starting at the Mississippi River, the new zip code area will be along Independence to Mount Auburn Road, south on Mount Auburn to Route K, then west to Highway 25," said Keefe. "People living on both sides of Independence will be in the new zip code area."

The new numbers will give the city three zip codes -- existing codes 63701 north of Independence and 63702 for post office boxes, and the new 63703 for south of Independence.

Adding a zip code is a long process, said Keefe.

"It takes up to two years for everyone to change their zip codes," he said. "But the changover won't adversely affect mail delivery; our zip code sorting machines are adjusted to handle the codes both ways."

The addition of a zip code is a good sign -- a sign of growth, said Keefe.

"This lets major companies, industries and mailers know that Cape Girardeau is a growing area," he said.

Keefe announced Tuesday that mail customers in the new zip code area will receive "official" notices of the new code about a month before it goes into effect.

Keefe recently reassumed his duties at the local post office, after being detailed three months as manager of Post Office operations in Kansas City.

During his absence here, Rolane Smith served as temporary officer-in-charge of the Cape Girardeau Post Office. She has returned to her position at the St. Louis Post OFfice, where she has served for more than 25 years.