CITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN EXPANDED FOR '93-98

Cape Girardeau would spend almost $27 million on capital improvements projects over the next five fiscal years under an expanded plan proposed by the city staff.

The City Council Monday had its first look at the 1993-1998 capital improvements program, which the staff called "an ambitious program."

The five-year plan proposed last year had a budget of about $23 million, which was down significantly from a $37.3 million plan established in 1991.

Last year's capital projects were scaled back to reflect reduced tax revenue estimates.

But City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said sales tax revenue has since rebounded, which would enable additional projects in the updated five-year proposal.

"I think it's a doable plan," Fischer said. "It's been the policy of this office since (Assistant City Manager) Al Stoverink and I took over in 1988 to not have a capital improvements budget that we didn't think there was funding out there to do the projects as scheduled."

In the plan's introduction, Fischer and Stoverink wrote that "implementation of this program would allow for the creation of new job opportunities, an increase in revenues to private businesses, new businesses growing, existing businesses expanding, increased tax revenues to all taxing jurisdictions, and the strengthening of the quality of life in Cape Girardeau and all of Southeast Missouri."

One new proposal included in the plan's community development category is a $4 million recreation project that would include construction of a five-field softball complex and four soccer fields at Shawnee Park and construction of a 32,000-square-foot, multipurpose community center on new park land at the corner of Kingshighway and Mount Auburn.

The largest program area in the plan is for environmental projects, where $12.2 million is budgeted for improvements. Last year $14.5 million was earmarked for sewer projects compared to $20.8 million in 1991.

The most significant projects include the Army Corps of Engineers' flood-control project on Cape LaCroix Creek and Walker Branch and construction of sanitary sewer mains.

Public Facilities Authority (PFA) bonds and a capital improvements sales tax would finance $6.9 million of the cost of the environmental projects.

Revenue bonds also would finance the largest share of all projects included in the overall capital improvements program. Of the total budget, $8.7 million would be financed with the bonds.

A capital improvements sales tax approved by voters to fund the city's share of the Cape LaCroix Creek-Walker Branch flood-control project is expected to generate $4.5 million for that project in the next five years.

Special assessments would be used to finance much of the street and lateral sewer projects in the plan. The tax bills would be used to finance about $3.4 million in improvements.

The transportation category of the plan includes 18 projects totalling $8.7 million. In the $1.3 million recreation programs, the most ambitious item is $750,000 for construction of 10 miles of hiking and biking trail that's part of the Cape LaCroix Creek-Walker Branch flood-control project.

Overall, the five-year plan covers 53 projects, up from 43 in last year's proposal. Capital improvements are divided into four categories: transportation; environment; recreation and leisure; and community development.

The transportation and environment categories dominate the plan, and are comprised of 18 and 27 projects, respectively.

Major street projects in the five-year plan include:

Replacement of the Hopper Road bridge just east of Mount Auburn Road and extension of the street to Kage Road at a total cost of $1.3 million over the next three years.

Replacement of eight bridges this fiscal year at a cost of $1.2 million. The work is part of the flood-control project and would be financed entirely by the capital improvements sales tax.

Completion in the coming year of the Lexington arterial at a total cost of $1.1 million. Funding for the project would come from motor fuel tax receipts ($800,000) and special tax bills ($300,000).

Widening and the addition of curbs and gutters for one mile of Perryville Road at a total cost in 1995-1997 of $750,000.

Extension of North Sprigg Street to Lexington at a cost of $650,000. Funding would come from special tax bills ($200,000) and the motor fuel tax ($450,000). The street is proposed for completion in 1994 to coincide with final Lexington construction.

The Perryville Road project and construction of a Hopper Road bridge and extension of the street to Kage Road were placed in the plan after being dropped last year.

Two of 27 projects proposed in the environment category would exceed $1 million. They include:

Cape LaCroix-Walker Creek flood control, $3 million. This represents the city's share of the Corps of Engineers' $35 million project, which is designed to alleviate storm-water flooding along Cape LaCroix and Walker creeks.

A project to extend sewers and water lines to Twin Lakes subdivision, which the city will annex this year. The main and lateral sewer lines will be installed at a cost of $1.65 million. Another $400,000 is earmarked for water lines to the subdivision.

In the recreation category, the city staff proposes to increase the annual allotment for general park development from $75,000 to $85,000. The budget also includes $150,00 for improvements at the city golf course.

The plan also includes an "unfunded needs list." Some of those projects include: construction of a four-lane West End Boulevard from Lexington to Southern Expressway; extension of North Sprigg to Highway 177; extension of Mount Auburn from a new bridge route to Southern Expressway; and extension of Silver Springs Road from Bloomfield Road to Southern Expressway.