Cape's response to homeless shelter plan sent to federal agencies

The response coordinated by Cape Girardeau city leaders in opposition to a proposed homeless shelter was delivered to three federal agencies Friday, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson announced.

The package of letters will give a clear picture of community sentiment to the departments responsible for making a decision on whether to award the federal building at 339 Broadway to the New Life Evangelistic Center, said Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican. In the news release announcing her action, Emerson said she, too, is adamantly against using the federal building as a shelter.

The New Life Evangelistic Center, a St. Louis-based ministry founded by Rev. Larry Rice, applied for the building May 4 using a federal law that gives organizations aiding the homeless priority for using surplus federal property. In the application for the building, Rice told federal authorities that he intends to offer programs to help families and veterans re-establish themselves, open an emergency shelter and operate a free store for the poor.

__Under review__

The application is under review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which has 25 days from the date of the application to make a decision. If that agency approves the request, the decision is reviewed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the General Services Administration, which operates the building.

The 47,000-square-foot federal building is almost empty. Court functions and congressional offices moved out last summer to a new federal courthouse at 555 Independence St.

"Personally, I oppose the conversion of the federal building into a homeless shelter because I think the building is too large for the purpose and ill-suited to be a shelter," Emerson said. "Without question, public service organizations in the county are working very hard to address the needs of the homeless."

The package of letters come from a variety of government, civic and service organizations.

__Those opposed__

Mayor Jay Knudtson, interim city manager Ken Eftink and police chief Carl Kinnison wrote letters on behalf of the city, and District 1 Commissioner Paul Koeper wrote to oppose the New Life application for the county. The package also includes letters of opposition from Chauncy Buchheit of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, Southeast Missouri State University president Ken Dobbins and Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Chuck Martin.

Civic leaders writing in opposition were Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce president John Mehner, whose letter was also signed by Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills and Jackson American Legion Post 158 commander Dave Hitt. Cape Girardeau Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1081 commandant Richard Bollwerk and past commandant William H. Walker, and Trail of Tears VietNow chapter president Rodger Brown also provided letters.

Service agencies leaders expressing opposition to New Life's application include Salvation Army Maj. Ben Stillwell and social services case manager Tina Rodgers; Karen Daugherty, executive director of Mending Hearts Recovery Center; Linda Garner, executive director of the Safe House for Women; Theresa Taylor, executive director of Vision House of Cape Girardeau; and John Gary, executive director of the Gibson Recovery Center. Roy Jones, housing coordinator for the Community Caring Council, and Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri, also wrote in opposition to the shelter plan.

In addition, religious leaders wrote to express their opposition including the Rev. Bob Towner, writing on behalf of the Downtown Council of Churches, pastor Phil Roop, writing for the Cape Ministerial Alliance and Bethel Assembly of God, and Ron Watts, senior pastor at La Croix Church.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent Addresses

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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

1 Barton Square, Jackson. Mo.

1 W. Joseph St., Perryville, Mo.

1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

400 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1267 N. Mt. Auburn Rd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2148 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

219 N. Henderson St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

10 N. Middle St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

340 S. Broadview, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

937 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

430 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

38 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1855 Perryville Rd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

3102 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.