CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS HEARING SET

During the next five years, Cape Girardeau likely will see $75.8 million in capital improvements projects ranging from repairing sidewalks to upgrading sewers and storm-water facilities.

The city's capital improvements program draft will be discussed at a public hearing at 7:30 tonight at City Hall. The city charter requires that the draft be approved by the City Council before April 1.

The program is updated annually and lists projects planned over a five-year period. Most projects require allocation through the city's annual budget; however, some are funded by voter-approved bond issues.

The program is divided into four categories: transportation and public works, environment, parks and recreation, and community development.

City Manager Michael Miller said the funding proposal for the fiscal 1999-2004 program is about $4 million less than the previous program. That program proposed $80.5 million in improvements.

The main reason for the decrease is that projects have been completed and taken off the list, he said. The finished projects include the Walker Branch flood-control and Perryville Road improvements. "

But nearly $42 million in environmental improvements are still under consideration, and they make up the bulk of the program. Projects include a $40 million expansion of the water system and $8.75 million for sewer improvements.

The water improvements were approved by voters in 1996. Sewer improvements were approved in 1994. Both projects are funded by separate quarter-cent capital improvement sales tax extensions.

Mayor Al Spradling III said, "We are progressing through the items on an annual basis, especially transportation issues like streets, the water system and sewers."

Transportation and public works projects, the second largest category, include making repairs to city streets and sidewalks and widening roads. This category also includes any improvements scheduled at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

As part of the Transportation Trust Fund Program, several streets will be repaved and, or widened. Widening Broadway from Clark to Perry avenues will cost about $1.3 million. Another $850,000 is slated for the extension of Mount Auburn Road from Bloomfield to Highway 74, and $1.33 million is designated for the widening and upgrades planned for Bloomfield Road from Kingshighway to Siemers Drive.

Community development projects include $8 million for renovation of and additions to city buildings. A $4 million annex to the police department headquarters on South Sprigg Street is proposed, as well as a combined $2.43 million for relocating two fire stations and renovating fire station No. 1.

Parks and recreation was allotted the smallest amount, $737,950, for capital improvements. Most of the projects are land purchases and equipment replacement. The department is trying to create an in-house plan for development, which should be ready within six to nine months.

The list also includes unfunded projects that will be completed as money is allocated, either through the city's budget or through state or federal grants.

"Some are there if we have the money," Spradling said. "It's sort of a function of having the revenue available or finding a funding source."