When a Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission member mentioned the city's transportation needs are greater than its budget, it drew a murmur o~f "What's new?" at a meeting of about 20 people Thursday night.
The problems seem many: It takes too long to travel Broadway, there is no outer route around the city, Bloomfield Road needs improving.
But the money isn't there for everything. Some of the needs have been identified by City Hall; others by Cape Girardeau residents. But the majority of needs remain unfunded.
Members of Vision 2000, a group dedicated to improving the city, hope a series of transportation meetings like Thursday night's will help them fashion a sales tax voters will pass.
Those who attended the second meeting received a list of 40 identified needs and were asked to prioritize them.
New Madrid Street was the first to be mentioned. Tillie Boswell, who uses New Madrid often, would like to see it improved all the way from Sprigg to Clark instead of stopping at Perry as proposed.
Fran Rediger thinks Perryville Road should be a priority. She said the road is dark, narrow, curvy and busy, and joggers who frequent it are putting themselves in danger.
Larry Payne and Bob Price advised Vision 2000 to build north-south and east-west corridors around the city, purchasing rights of way before homes are constructed in their paths.
Councilman Melvin Gateley, who has been conducting the meetings, said he was encouraged by the good turnout at both. The top six streets and issues that have been discussed are: public transportation; Broadway; and Perryville, Hopper, Bloomfield and Mount Auburn roads.
The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at May Greene Elementary School gym.
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