CVB ALTERS RENOVATION PLANS

Fewer offices and more display space is the new renovation plan for the Convention and Visitors Bureau building.

Members of the CVB's building subcommittee met Wednesday afternoon with John L. Boardman, project architect, to discuss their concerns about renovating the building at 100 Broadway.

The city has budgeted $186,000 to renovate the former bank building. When complete, it will house the CVB and the city's customer service department for payment of utility bills and fees.

Subcommittee members Dennis "Doc" Cain and Shirley Talley said they were concerned the original plans for the CVB's side of the building didn't have appropriate display space for merchandise, traveling exhibits and other items.

Cain said he was worried the original plans left too much space for staff offices -- four CVB staff members, including the director, and the city's public awareness coordinator.

"We're not in the office business. We're in the tourism business," he said.

Boardman said the original design criteria he was provided didn't include display space.

The full CVB advisory board will look over the new plans at their regular May 21 meeting.

Talley said the board wants to create a visitors center at the CVB, including a spot where tourists can look over brochures and maps listing attractions in the area before heading out to their destination.

"I feel like it's very important that the first thing our visitors see is a glimpse of our town or community," she said.

She said she would like to include possibly a mural or other artwork about Cape Girardeau and display cases to hold CVB merchandise or exhibits by local merchants or businesses.

Cain said he would like to be able to set up traveling exhibits in the space as well.

Talley and Cain said the board hopes to increase tour bus stops at the building, which should be possible since the CVB now has a permanent address.

The broadcast equipment for Cable Channel 5, the city's public access channel, will be set up on the second floor. The remainder of the second floor will be used for storing equipment, supplies and city records, said Walter Denton, acting CVB director and assistant to City Manager Mike Miller.

The final drawings won't be approved until a new full-time CVB director is hired, Denton said.