CITY'S NEW BRIDGE ROUTE KEY TO DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

The head of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce told members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association Sunday that his organization is continuing to look for ways to help revitalize the city's downtown business and residential areas.

John Mehner, executive director of the chamber, said he is optimistic that projects currently in the works will help re-establish the downtown area of the city as an attractive place for tourism and business as well as for homes.

Mehner told the group that a new bridge across the Mississippi River will help spur development in the downtown area.

"Maybe I'm naive, but I believe that as the bridge route continues going, there will be reason for development to take place. This will not be just a bridge, but a beautiful showcase bridge that lends itself to development," he said.

Mehner then cautioned the residents to be patient, alluding to the 2002 date for the bridge completion. He said the long term approach is the best.

"You're not going to change the situation in a year," he said. "It's a slow reversal project."

Mehner also addressed concerns from the group about empty buildings in the downtown area. He especially addressed concerns raised about the building on the corner of Sprigg and William streets, left empty since Schnucks Midtown closed last summer.

While the chamber spends only 2 percent of its time recruiting new retail businesses to the city, it doesn't mean that it cannot help in trying to find a new occupant for the former Schnucks building, Mehner said.

In fact, he added, the chamber had been actively involved in trying to find a new retailer for the building.

The chamber had found a potential occupant who wanted to put a new supermarket in the building, but the Desco Group, a St. Louis organization which manages the property, was not willing to let another grocery store move in, he said.

But, he added, the Desco Group opened the door last week for further discussion about putting a grocery store in the building.