COUNCIL TO CONSIDER DOWNTOWN PAVILION

Downtown merchants plan to build an open-air pavilion in the parking lot at Independence and Main Streets near Hutson's Furniture.

Charles McGinty Jr., president of the Greater Downtown Merchants Association, said: "It is to look something like an old train station with big, wooden posts and some little brick walkways. We plan to have a nice flag pole and park benches. It will be a nice little focal point for the area."

McGinty said construction is ready to begin on the structure. The Cape Girardeau City Council must first approve the project. The matter is on Monday's council agenda.

The council is also scheduled to discuss a new downtown mural. If approved, the mural will be painted on the floodwall. The River Heritage Mural Association has asked the city to fund half of the project, about $8,200.

Also on the agenda is the first reading of a new trades licensing ordinance.

McGinty said the city would not be involved in funding the pavilion. City Council approval is needed to allow the pavilion to be built on city-owned property.

The structure will essentially be like a park shelter: a roof with no walls. The pavilion will have electrical power.

"It will be totally flexible as to what we can use the inside for," McGinty said. "It will be a wonderful way to display almost anything. It can be used for a multitude of purposes."

McGinty said it could be used for art displays, car shows, farmers' markets, and other association promotions. When the downtown merchants are not using the pavilion, it can be used by the public.

"I would say as soon as the council approves the project we are ready to begin. The funds are ready for us to borrow."

McGinty said the pavilion would take about 60 days to construct and will cost between $30,000 and $40,000. The pavilion would be about 72 feet long and 20 feet wide and would straddle the center island of the parking lot. He said it probably could not be finished before Riverfest on June 7-8.

"We as downtown merchants have the responsibility to fund the entire project," McGinty said. "We raise money every year for different projects.

"We're always trying to show some sort of physical evidence of progress we're making downtown. We have the antique clock and light posts, the brick walkways. This is another physical reminder that we are making big progress," he said.

Working together on the pavilion project are the Downtown Merchants Association, the Cape Girardeau Redevelopment Corporation, the Downtown Special Business District, The Army Corps of Engineers and the city.

"This is all part of a plan for the historical redevelopment of the downtown area," McGinty said.

In 1981, the city council approved a master plan including many different projects for development of the downtown area. The pavilion was among the proposals.