FOUNDATION PUSHES FOR CITY FUNDS

Plans to turn Cape Girardeau's former Catholic seminary into a museum and cultural center could hinge on securing some city tax revenue as part of a public-private partnership, project proponents said Thursday.

The Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation earlier this year requested $75,000 a year in motel and restaurant tax money to help establish Old St. Vincent's College as a Civil War museum and cultural center.

The City Council put the matter on hold while it dealt with the Shawnee and Osage parks projects, which are funded with revenue from the same motel and restaurant taxes.

The council is expected to meet Dec. 5 with foundation officials.

Officials of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation held a luncheon Thursday at the former Catholic college with project supporters and civic leaders. Later, they toured the brick buildings.

About 20 people attended the luncheon in a cold conference room. Heating remains a problem at the 152-year-old complex along the Mississippi River.

The foundation needs financial and volunteer support, project proponents said.

After years of trying, the foundation in April bought the seminary property for $700,000. The purchase was aided by a $600,000 loan from the seller, the Provincial Administration of Vincentian Fathers of St. Louis.

Loretta Schneider, the foundation's executive director, said the group needs money just for operating expenses.

Both Schneider's father and grandfather attended the college.

The original part of the building predates the Civil War. "This is where the history of Cape Girardeau really began," Schneider said.

Mary Robertson, foundation board chairman, said the goal is to do the project in stages. "It is very doable," she said.

John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, used to oppose public-private funding partnerships. Now he supports them.

Mehner said he changed his mind when he saw what has been accomplished in other cities.

"We are probably one of the few cities in Missouri not doing a public-private partnership," he said.

The St. Louis Science Center, he observed, is a public-private partnership.

Today, such partnerships often offer are the only feasible way to fund major projects, he said.

Councilman Tom Neumeyer was the only council member at the luncheon.

Neumeyer said the council should look at funding options for the seminary site and other historic preservation projects in Cape Girardeau.

The motel and restaurant taxes are a logical funding source since they are earmarked partly for tourism, Neumeyer said.

Mehner said the site is particularly important because of the new Mississippi River bridge that will be built.

The site will be the first view many motorists will see of Cape Girardeau as they enter from Illinois, Mehner said.