Federal Building parking eases with barrier removal

Parking around the Federal Building improved Wednesday as several orange-and-white barriers were replaced with permanent no-parking signs, signaling a change of attitude by federal officials who had said the barriers were needed for security reasons.

The change opens up several spaces that had blocked cars from stopping on streets alongside the building since September.

Although motorists are still banned from parking by curbs immediately next to the Federal Building, other sections of Broadway and Fountain Street are finally barrier-free.

The Rev. Bob Towner, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, welcomed the return of parking in front of his church across Fountain Street from the Federal Building.

"I am delighted," he said. "It gives us a dozen parking spaces that we didn't have."

Cape Girardeau Public Works crews removed the temporary barriers Wednesday that were erected after Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast. The barriers, erected at the urging of the federal government, had blocked about 25 parking spaces on both sides of Fountain Street and Broadway near the Federal Building.

Coming to terms

The barrier removal and installation of no-parking signs were the result of an agreement between the city and the federal General Services Administration. Parking will be allowed on the west side of Fountain Street and the north side of Broadway facing the Federal Building.

Three officials from the General Services Administration came to Cape Girardeau within the past two weeks and spoke about the parking situation with City Manager Michael Miller, City Attorney Eric Cunningham and Police Chief Steve Strong.

Strong said parking restrictions taken as precautions against terrorism had hurt businesses, the church and an apartment building.

"It didn't make any sense," he said.

Although the barriers are gone, the new parking limits still protect the Federal Building, said Brad Scott, regional administrator of the General Services Administration in Kansas City, Mo.

Scott said the government can't ignore security.

"We don't do this to inconvenience folks," he said. "We do it to ensure their safety and security."

Towner and at least one downtown business operator expressed satisfaction that the orange-and-white security measures were gone.

Don Zimmer of Zimmer Radio also liked the parking change. Customers can once again park in front of the radio station on Broadway.

"We're happy that it will be more convenient for our customers and that they removed an eyesore on the street," he said.

Scott expects both federal and contracted security officers will confront anyone who parks immediately adjacent to the Federal Building.

Those who violate the no-parking rule will be ticketed by the city. Current city law imposes fines of up to $25 for no- parking violations.

Scott said the new parking policy could change in a few years. The General Services Administration plans to build a new federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau near City Hall. If that happens, the agency will reassess parking restrictions at the Federal Building, which no longer would house judicial operations, Scott said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123