Cape partners with Sears on I-55 interchange landscaping project

Cape Girardeau plans to landscape one corner of a heavily traveled Interstate 55 interchange with boxwood bushes, shrub roses and a carpet of decoratively mowed grass in an effort to provide an eye-catching entrance to the city.

The city is drawing up plans to landscape about 2.5 acres on the northwest corner of the Route K-Interstate 55 interchange with financial assistance from Sears. The area is between the southbound I-55 lanes and the southbound exit ramp. Most of the landscaping would involve manicured grass.

"This has been a real dream of mine," said Mayor Jay Knudtson, who pushed the idea when the city negotiated a development agreement with Sears involving construction of the new Sears Grand store on Siemers Drive a few blocks south of the I-55-Route K interchange.

As part of that agreement, Sears is providing $10,000 toward the landscaping work. The city will pay the rest of the cost.

The entire project could cost $30,000 to $40,000, Knudtson said.

It would include the installation of an irrigation system to cultivate a carpet of grass that would be mowed in a checkerboard fashion similar to many baseball parks. It also would involve planting bushes, shrub roses and installation of a Missouri Department of Transportation-approved sign that states "Growing Together, Area Beautification." The city of Cape Girardeau and Sears would be listed in white letters on the blue sign.

Much of the expense is for installation of the irrigation system, Knudtson said.

The city would have to maintain the landscaped area. It's the only way in which the state transportation department would allow for such landscaping along highway right of way, Knudtson said.

Tim Gramling, city public works director, estimated it could cost about $5,000 annually to maintain the landscaped area. Most of that cost would be for mowing, he said.

City officials said a contractor would have to be hired to cut the grass. The special mowers needed have rollers to brush down the grass and create the checkerboard pattern, Knudtson said.

Knudtson believes a landscaped interchange would draw the attention of motorists. "This will entice people to pull off the interstate," he said.

The mayor hopes the landscaping will encourage other civic groups or other businesses to help finance beautification projects on other corners of the Route K interchange and other interchanges along I-55 in the city.

"That is why it is so important to do this first one with style and class," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123