HISTORIC BLOCK STUDIED FOR BUILDING

A number of people who live in downtown Cape Girardeau are upset by the possibility that a planned federal building and U.S. Courthouse could be built in a square block that is home to some of the city's historic houses. Others who live in the block say they would sell to the federal government, while some expressed mixed feelings.

One unspoken fear is that a government shopping spree could pit neighbor against neighbor.

The block is bounded on the north by Themis Street, on the south by Independence Street, on the east by Lorimier Street and on the west by Fountain Street.

Among the historic houses in the block are the Civil War-era Judith Ann Crow house at 323 Themis and the mansion next door at 313 Themis, usually referred to as the Harrison house and now occupied by Dr. J. Thomas Critchlow and family.

The Critchlows' house was built in 1897 by architect J.B. Legg, who also designed Academic Hall.

The block with the historic houses is one site that officials with the General Services Administration find attractive, according to a source familiar with the search.

The federal government intends to build a new five-story U.S. courthouse and federal building in the downtown area. The offering may consist of one block or two adjacent blocks as long as one of them contains at least 100,000 feet.

Renovation of the current federal building also is part of the plan.

Critchlow, a physician who only recently moved to Cape Girardeau with his family, said he doesn't want to sell his house.

"I'm not interested in moving," he said. "I just moved here and it's a lovely home. It would be a crime to tear this down."

Judith Crow, a retired Southeast Missourian librarian who has lived next door to the mansion for many years, says her house is known to have existed in 1860, making it one of the city's oldest.

"From an objective point of view I can see the logic of picking this block," she said, "...but where else can you find a block that offers the variety of architecture and kinds of people who lived side by side to build Cape Girardeau."

"...It would hurt me greatly to see this block gone because this block represents the city," she said.

The block is a mix of older homes, apartment buildings and a business, a hair salon located in a house at 312 Independence St. Owner Carolyn Rouviere said she has been approached by a neighbor about the possibility of selling.

"I have mixed feelings," she said. "This block has some historical homes."

But, Rouviere said, "If everybody else is in agreement I would go along."

Andy Juden Jr., whose house at 306 Independence has been on the market for some time, said he would sell to the government.

"I don't care who buys it," Juden said. His house was built in 1906.

Juden says the block satisfies the government's preference for a site close to the existing federal building. He has been contacted by a real estate agent putting together a proposal for the federal government.

One real estate agent estimated that at least 30 site plans have been submitted to the GSA.

John Perry bought and restored the house at 29 and 31 N. Lorimier two years ago. It has the original steps of the first church in Cape Girardeau.

Perry understands the logic of the choice as well but said, "Those are such beautiful homes, especially the Harrison home."

Would he sell? "It would have to be an awful lot of money," he said.

Perry's renter, Teresa McKee, is a fancier of antiques and beautiful homes who doesn't welcome any of it. "I hate to move and I hate to see it happen."

But, McKee said, "I know some people who own homes are excited about the buyout."

Some people who live near the block are concerned about the effect a five-story building would have on their neighborhood.

"A lot of people our age are trying to come in and make this downtown area a better place to live," said Gina Madlock, who lives with her husband, Ryan, and their two young daughters at the southwest corner of Themis and Fountain streets.

"They are restoring a lot of houses through here and everybody is trying to pull together to make it look nice," Madlock said.

With the added traffic and people, the neighborhood "would be a little bit scary," she said.

Julie Briney, who lives a few doors down with her husband, Jeffrey, and their family, said a federal building would destroy the historic nature of the area and depreciate the value of their home.

"They are asking us to give up our homes and our neighborhoods as we know it so it will be more convenient," she said.

A plan to circulate petitions opposing the selection of Block 23, as the federal government designates it, is being hatched. Neighbors are planning an organizational meeting Thursday at one of the residences.

"We have tentative plans to address the issue from all angles to stop it," Briney said.

GSA officials could not be reached for comment over the weekend.