Discussion of old federal building planned for today at Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting

Today's Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting will include discussion with various county officials about a possible purchase of the old federal building in Cape Girardeau.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said the meeting will seek input from the officials in the office of the county collector, assessor, clerk, juvenile department and circuit judges about a proposal to purchase the building at 339 Broadway. The county has voiced its preference to have the building as a replacement for the Common Pleas Courthouse and Courthouse Annex on Lorimier Street in Cape Girardeau.

"I'm wanting to know from those who will be affected if they have any concerns, problems or doubts that we need to be aware of as we are exploring purchasing the building," Jones said. "We're wanting to know how we can better serve the people by moving to a new building."

Jones said the meeting has been scheduled for three weeks and is not in response to District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell's recent request for a public hearing on the matter. Jones said the price of the building will not be discussed during the meeting because of federal regulations regarding the public release of the sale price.

"It's an open meeting, so anyone can come who wants to," he said. Members of the public may speak at the meeting, but it is not intended as a hearing on the issue.

Purcell has raised objections to the General Services Administration's rules requiring that it not reveal either the appraised value of the property or the deductions included in that appraisal for deficiencies in the building. The building's problems include asbestos and a need for roof repairs.

"I don't know why the two commissioners don't want to have open public meetings," Purcell said. "The GSA says we can have a public hearing concerning the purchase of this building."

However, Jones said he does not expect a public hearing to take place. He says the commission meetings are transparent and open to anyone to attend.

"Why do we need to have a public hearing?" Jones asked. "It'll give those who have other agendas in mind a venue to act up and I won't provide that.

"There's lots of people that are very interested in the county acquiring that building," Jones said. "I can't understand why anyone is wanting to create a controversy of it. It's just a matter of if we can buy a building and negotiate it with the GSA."

Circuit Judge Ben Lewis said the acquisition of the old federal building would be a big step forward for all who conduct business in the Common Pleas Courthouse.

Lewis thinks the Common Pleas Courthouse even poses a security threat. He said the tight space at times doesn't allow for prisoners to remain in a secure area.

"There are a lot of advantages for moving over to the courthouse," Lewis said. "The Common Pleas Courthouse is a beautiful building but it has a lot of problems. It costs a lot to maintain, is not handicapped-accessible and doesn't provide much room for jurors or prisoners."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

44 Lorimier St., Cape Girardeau, MO