CITY TO STUDY VISION 2020 PLAN

Melvin Gateley couldn't have guessed that when the city and civic leaders began working on a strategic plan for helping Cape Girardeau reach the 21st century that the plan would be so successful -- or that it would even be used.

But the plan was put into action and has been so successful that a continuation is being developed for use into 2020.

Vision 2020 will present its strategic plan to the council tonight during a study session. The council is expected to adopt the plan during its meeting at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 401 Independence.

Gateley, a former city councilman and key organizer of Vision 2000, said that the new plan is somewhat broader in its scope than Vision 2000 started out to be, but he hasn't read the entire plan.

"We had no idea in 1987 that we would be extending the plan," he said. "We were going forward with the first draft of a plan for Cape Girardeau and one of the things that we had in mind was the approach of a new century."

And as the new century approached, the Vision 2000 Community Relations Council began planning to extend the plan. Meetings were held as early as 1998 to begin working on the new plan for 2020.

"When we've had those meetings with Vision 2020, I saw the same enthusiasm with that group and I know the people of Cape Girardeau will go forward," said Gateley.

He said the plan "will continue what Vision 2000 started."

The Vision 2020 Strategic Plan was developed to determine what community residents want for the city in the coming years. It includes the input of more than 20 focus groups who attempted to answer "What do you want Cape Girardeau to be like in the next 20 years?"

The responses to that question were compiled and became the foundation for the plan, said Walter Denton, assistant city manager. Denton has been meeting with both Vision 2000 and Vision 2020 as the groups finalize plans.

Once the plan is approved by the council, it will be officially presented during a Vision 2000 Culmination Celebration set for late September.

The new strategic plan has five vision areas: arts, culture and leisure; community services and enrichment; economic development; education; and transportation and infrastructure. It includes 13 goals and more than 100 strategies for putting the ideas in the plan to work, including listing people who should be involved with the projects..

The ideas in the Vision 2020 plan offer guidance to the community and are not meant as any requirements for the council or any other organization, Denton said.

But much of the Vision 2000 plan has been implemented over the years and has been part of the plan's success, Gateley said. With the Vision 2020 plan, "the key will be in getting it implemented and making sure all the key players are involved," Gateley said.

Volunteers must be active in the community to put the plan to work, he said. "It seems to motivate people and be a catalyst to inspire people and get them to volunteer and be involved in community services."

Vision 2020 Strategic Plan

Arts, culture and leisure

Goal 1: Foster the growth and appreciation and provide for the accessibility and affordability of the arts (visual, music, drama and dance) for all citizens.

Goal 2: Promote, encourage and enhance awareness of the diverse cultural heritage of our community.

Goal 3: Promote leisure opportunities by enhancing entertainment and recreational opportunities.

Community services and enrichment

Goal 1: Encourage the involvement of all citizens in the development of community services and activities through partnerships, empowerment and volunteerism.

Goal 2: Establish a sensitive community environment for all citizens, which embraces diversity, opportunities and education.

Goal 3: Create a unique sense of community pride where people like to live, work, learn, play and do business.

Economic development

Goal 1: Create a comprehensive and futuristic economic development plan that includes a cooperative effort among business, industry, tourism and government.

Goal 2: Enhance a tax and regulatory structure that fosters economic growth and opportunity.

Goal 3: Foster business involvement in cultural, civic, educational and government activities.

Education

Goal 1: Provide a broad variety of educational programs and facilities to promote lifelong learning and to make learning fun.

Transportation and infrastructure

Goal 1: Offer affordable, accessible and convenient transportation systems to meet the need of all citizens.

Goal 2: Increase cargo, recreation and tourist activities on the Mississippi River.

Goal 3: Plan, maintain and improve the area's infrastructure to ensure economic development, public convenience and safety.