Cape Girardeau readies for downtown sidewalk project

Longtime jeweler Kent Zickfield has operated a store on Cape Girardeau's Main Street for decades. The city's plan to spruce up downtown with new sidewalks, lighting, benches, walkways and green space will mean some construction headaches for its businesses next year and challenges for customers trying to get to stores.

But Zickfield says the inconvenience will be worth it in the long run.

"I am looking forward to the city spending some money down here. We'll work around the construction and make it work," he said.

The city plans to replace sidewalks and add streetlights and other amenities throughout downtown in stages, depending on funding.

The first phase, expected to begin by spring or summer, will cover a two-block area of Main Street.

The intersection of Main and Themis streets is seen Tuesday in downtown Cape Girardeau. The city plans to improve sidewalks and lighting. (Fred Lynch)

Zickfield said construction could make it difficult for customers to reach his store for a short time, but he believes the improvements ultimately will benefit downtown businesses.

He said Broadway benefited from sidewalk, green space and lighting improvements in recent years. Improvements to Cape Girardeau's downtown should provide a similar success story, he said.

City engineer Casey Brunke said there are structural reasons to do the project, particularly with street lighting.

"The wiring is brittle," she said. "The structures are very dilapidated."

The sidewalks would have to be torn up to replace the streetlights, so it makes sense to replace the sidewalks at the same time, Brunke said.

The project will include decorative walkways across the heavily traveled two-lane street that will meet federal disability standards.

"Depending on the final design, more than likely we will have to do some stormwater work," Brunke said.

The stormwater work would include the Themis Street area from Spanish to Main streets.

Brunke said the city only has funding right now for this first phase of design and construction. Funding includes $150,000 in casino revenue and $800,000 from the city's Transportation Trust Fund.

Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape, said, "There is a definite need for some sidewalk work."

Old Town Cape, a not-for-profit organization, works to preserve, promote and revitalize Cape Girardeau's downtown. It has been involved in planning for the project.

Mills welcomes plans for new street lighting, too.

"The underground wiring is at least 30 years old," she said. Keeping the lights lit is a struggle.

Project consultants Horner and Shifrin and SWT Design offered preliminary design options that were presented at two public meetings this fall. About 45 people attended each of those meetings, including some downtown business owners.

"We had a really good turnout," Brunke said.

The majority of those in attendance favored the decorative pavement and installing streetlights with a traditional look in keeping with the historic downtown's look, Brunke said. The project could involve installation of some pavers.

"We are trying to do what we can on our budget. You can do a lot with concrete these days," she noted.

Preliminary designs included a curb option or a flush-pavement option. The latter option would have no curbs. Decorative pavement would delineate roadside parking. Safety bollards also would help mark the transition from road to sidewalk.

But Brunke said city officials have elected to go with construction of sidewalks with curbs, the traditional style of walkways used downtown. Brunke said there was "not overwhelming support" for the flush-pavement option, and the curb option is more affordable.

On-street parking will remain a fixture in downtown.

"We are not changing parking significantly. We may lose a space or two," Brunke said.

The old-fashioned clock in the middle of Main and Themis streets has been a landmark since its installation in 1986. Brunke said it will remain a part of the downtown landscape.

"The clock is not going away," she said. "It is too much of an icon of the downtown."

But Brunke said the clock may be refurbished or repainted.

"We're looking at a black color for the amenities," she said.

The clock is green, which fades over time, Brunke said. Black paint also is easier to match when structures need to be repainted, she explained.

The proposed improvements would complement the Broadway corridor renovation's style, but its lighting won't be duplicated.

"The biggest complaint about Broadway is that the lights aren't bright enough," she noted.

Unlike the Broadway corridor, trees won't be planted on the sides of the street. Brunke said Main Street buildings are too close to the road for the type of plantings along Broadway. But she said flowers and other low-level plantings could help dress up the area.

Brunke said the downtown construction will be done in stages to keep it open to traffic as much as possible. She said the goal will be to keep one lane of Main Street open for motorists.

The city and Old Town Cape vow to keep store owners informed about each step of the construction project to minimize disruptions.

"Obviously, if you redo a sidewalk, that can impact a business," Mills said.

Brunke estimated the project would take several months to complete. Still, she cautioned that the construction timetable could change.

"Anytime you work in the old part of town, you never know what you are going to find," Brunke said.

mbliss@semissiourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Main Street from Broadway to Independence, Cape Girardeau, Mo.