CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE BLOSSOMING; OFFICE COMPLEX, RETAIL STRIP ARE AMONG LARGE ENTERPRISES

Foundation work is under way on two large commercial construction projects in Cape Girardeau a multi-million dollar professional office/retail complex along Mt. Auburn Road and expansion of a shopping center strip between Hartford's and Food Giant in the Cape Girardeau Centre shopping area.

Health Services Corporation of America is building a $7 million-plus complex on a six-acre tract it owns between Doctors Park and West Park Mall. It will include the firm's national headquarters building.

A 20,000-square-foot expansion of the strip shopping center by Futura Properties, Inc. of St. Louis, will connect the current strip which adjoins Food Giant to Hartford's. Half of the new expansion will house So-Fro Fabrics.

Expansion work also is under way at The Lutheran Home, 2825 Bloomfield in Cape Girardeau, where a 26-bed residential-care unit is expected to be completed by late fall.

Four permits were issued for construction of new homes in Cape Girardeau during January, totaling over $800,000, or an average of $210,000 each.

These projects and others are getting the year off to a good construction start in Cape Girardeau.

Permits for about $1.5 million in new construction were filed in Cape Girardeau for January. This total does not include permits for the actual construction on the HSCA and Futura projects.

Construction in Cape Girardeau topped the $25 million mark for a fourth straight year in 1991.

Permits were issued for $25.8 million in construction in the city. That includes residential housing, commercial buildings and expansions. More than two-thirds of the construction totals $16.7 millions were for commercial buildings.

Permits for 72 new homes were issued last year totaling $8 million, or an average of $112,000 each. Additions and expansions to residences and business buildings totaled another $1 million.

The $25,809,300 construction total was the highest in the past five years, topping the 1988 figure of $25,779,188 by $30,000, and last year's total of $25,517,237 by $292,063. A fourth $25 million year was recorded in 1989, at $25,088,676.

The last year construction fell under $25 million here was in 1987, at $20,176,968.

The Wal-Mart store, which was announced in January 1991 and opened its doors to the public this month, was one of the largest commercial projects for Cape Girardeau. The permit for the 168,000-square-foot facility called for a construction cost of about $5 million.

Among other commercial projects in 1991 were a new Rust & Martin Furniture Store, which will be situated alongside Route K in the Cape Girardeau Centre, and a three-story, parking garage for Southeast Missouri Hospital, which opened recently.

Other commercial projects completed in 1991 include a 60,000-square-foot Shop 'N Save Supermarket; Taco Bell, El Chico and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar; a building in Doctors' Park; a new building to house Cybertel and the new Bluff City Beer Warehouse.

The HSCA complex is expected to house its first occupant this fall. The firm's headquarters will be housed in a multi-level office building set off by a two-story atrium. The 70,000-square-foot office will be built around the existing HSCA building on the site. HSCA will occupy the lower, first and third levels. The second level will be leased to tenants.

Plans for the project, at 840 S. Mt. Auburn Road, include the 70,000 square foot main HSCA building; 36,500 square feet of office, professional and retail space; a 9,500-square-foot medical clinic; and possibly an 11,000-square-foot office building or restaurant.

"A plaza at the center with a fountain and clock tower will be the focal point, tying together the headquarters building and other parts," said HSCA Chief Executive Officer Earl Norman of Cape Girardeau. "One of the two fountains is also part of the storm water retention plan."

The complex will follow the natural slope of the land. The upper level will be on the same plane as the outer ring road of the mall and the lower tier will align with Mount Auburn Road, where the main entrances will be situated.

Three new businesses anticipate spring openings in Cape Centre, according to Jack Davis, president of Futura of St. Louis.

"We have already reached agreement with one new business So-Fro Fabrics which will utilize 10,000 square feet adjoining Hartford's," he said.

Davis said he's talking with two other businesses that have expressed interest in the retail strip. He said he hopes to make announcements on other space in the near future.

Davis and William S. Boudoures of William Boudoures Co., a St. Louis realty firm, purchased a 15-acre strip in Cape Centre in May. The purchase included property that houses Hartford's, Food Giant, and Mail Boxes Etc. USA.

The Lutheran Home, a nursing home that provides long-term health care needs ranging from assisted living to skilled care, will have a total of 264 beds following the expansion there, which is expected to be completed late this fall.

"The new addition will provide stress-free living," said Janice Unger, home administrator, "Residents can enjoy living in a bright, cheerful atmosphere with 24-hour supervision."

Unger said the new unit will have its own dining and recreation areas.

"The unit is designed for the elderly who cannot live alone but do not need the services of a skilled nursing home," said Unger. "Our service will include special dietary needs, complete housekeeping, entertainment and activities and laundry services."

Unger said residents also will have the services of physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists, and nursing care.

"With the addition of this unit, the Lutheran Home will be a complete retirement center," said Unger. "It will provide adult day care, residential care and skilled care."

Permits have been issued for several other projects in the city during January, ranging from an $840 sign to two $60,000-plus business expansions.

Shown here are construction figures for the past five years in Cape Girardeau.

1991 - 72 new houses at cost of $8 million (average $112,000); additions to residences and business buildings, $1.1 million; commercial buildings, $16.7 million. Total construction, $25.8 million.

1990 82 new houses at $6.2 million (average $75,300); 84 apartment units, $1.7 million; additions to residences, $345,000; and commercial building and additions, $17.3 million. Total construction, $25.5 million.

1989 78 new houses at $6.6 million (average, $84,436 each); 39 apartment units, $564,000; additions to residences, $607,000; and commercial buildings and additions, $17.3 million. Total construction, $25.1 million.

1988 105 new houses at $8.3 million (average, $78,736); 119 apartment units, $2.8 million; additions to residences, $1.3 million; and commercial buildings and additions, $12.9 million. Total construction, $25.3 million.

1987 84 new houses at $6.4 million (average cost, $76,175); 114 apartment units, $2.2 million; additions for residences, $1.1 million; and commercial buildings and additions, $10.3 million. Total construction was $20.2 million.