Downtown traffic: Which way do we go?

Last month, downtown Cape Girardeau business owners met to debate something that would have an impact on just about everyone who works or does business in the historic Old Town Cape district.

At issue was -- and is -- whether or not to change Water Street to one one-way traffic and restoring two-way traffic to Main Street.

The proposal calls for changing Water Street, which parallels the Mississippi River floodwall, to be made one way going south or one way going north between Broadway and Independence.

As part of the concept, the city is also considering changing Main Street to two ways from Broadway to William Street. The street, as you know, is currently one way southbound.

The merchants stopped short of endorsing specific changes.

But we won't. We think it's a good, doable plan.

As others at the meeting pointed out, Water Street needs to be made one way to allow for angled parking, interpretive signs and a wider sidewalk to make it more convenient to see the historic, colorful floodwall murals.

The floodwalls have already been an instant hit and have drawn visitors to the downtown area. And business owners don't have to be told what more foot traffic means to their cash registers.

And a two-way Main Street would allow motorists to access the shopping area from Broadway on the north and William Street to the south. With the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge on the city's south side, there needs to be a southern entrance to the downtown.

The changes, some have said, would force motorists to slow down and spark more customer interest. We agree.

And problems raised, such as delivery trucks causing traffic problems, surely can be worked out with the bright minds that inhabit the downtown area.

At that meeting a month ago, Mayor Jay Knudtson urged business owners to reach a consensus in 30-45 days so city staff can make a recommendation to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.

The clock is ticking.

In a best-case scenario, the improvements need to be finished by April for the start of the tourist season.

These changes make sense, especially in conjunction with the other positive changes that have happened in the downtown area, among them the new Marquette Hotel, the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge and the new federal building.

Changing traffic patterns isn't to be done haphazardly. But the downtown is currently undergoing a 21st century renaissance.

There's only one way to go with this plan -- forward.