DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS LOOK TOWARD PROJECTS

New floodlights enclosed in metal casings are being installed along the Mississippi River floodwall between Broadway and Independence streets.

The Downtown Merchants Association will be looking at plans for new banners during its May meeting.

These are just two of the downtown improvement projects that will be funded with money provided by the annual Downtown Merchants Auction.

Almost 200 people crowded into the River City Yacht Club above Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant last weekend for the 10th annual auction. It featured "An Olde Time Railroad Party" theme. Spirited bidding sent the proceeds soaring.

"The auction netted more than $13,000," said Jayne Ervin, chairman of the event.

The DMA annually plans projects to keep the downtown area looking good and running smoothly. The auction has netted almost $45,000 over the past three years.

More than $125,000 has been realized during the 10-year existence of the auction.

Proceeds from the auction help fund downtown restoration and beautification projects and special events such as the Christmas parade, Christmas decorations, brick crosswalks, flower planting, historic signage, benches and maintenance of the areas.

One of the early projects was construction a 72-by-20-foot open-air turn-of-the-century-style pavilion at a cost of more than $35,000.

The pavilion, constructed in the parking lot along South Main Street, opened in August 1991, and is now a focal point in the downtown area. The pavilion is used each year as a Farmer's Market where area farmers sell their vegetables. A number of events have been held at the pavilion.

Over the years, the association has used funds to help pay for two floodwall murals, including the "Wall of Fame," which stretches almost a city block long.

The merchants have also installed a sound system along a two-block area downtown with six speakers installed in each block, providing background music for shoppers. In past years, the Downtown Merchants Association has participated in riverfront landscaping projects, involving construction of a rose bed along the floodwall.

The association's auction funds have also helped in the promotion of Riverfest each year.

More than 100 items -- including clothes, jewelry, furniture, gift certificates, art prints and $500 advertising packages -- were auctioned at the 1977 events. The items are provided by businesses and individuals. A number of items are also available each year for a "silent" auction preceding the regular auction.

The items are auctioned through the donated services of Chug's Auction Service.