HISTORIC PRESERVATION; COMMISSION HOPES TO DESIGNATE FIRST LOCAL LANDMARKS THIS YEAR

A record of Cape Girardeau's history is written in its homes, buildings and streets. But the record is far from permanent: time, which makes them historically important, also is threatening some of them.

Cape Girardeau's Historic Preservation Commission has the task of helping save some of the landmarks and, in turn, helping keep the city's history alive. The commission was authorized by city ordinance in February 1990, to "promote the protection and enhancement of buildings, structures or land improvements of special historic, aesthetic or architectural significance."

Toward that end, the commission will designate local landmarks and historic districts, conduct a survey of the city's historic resources, and offer expertise to residents who are looking for help with historic-preservation efforts.

John Schneider, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, said that after a year of working out details the commission is ready to begin actively working in the community.

Schneider said: "There are wonderful structures in small communities like ours, but once things are gone nobody knows what was once so. You lose that sense of tradition, that sense of where you came from."

Landmarks

Members of the commission hope property owners, recognizing the historical significance of their homes and buildings, will seek a local landmark designation. The designation will be given to homes, buildings or other properties that have historical significance to the city, said Schneider.

He said the application process has been ironed out and the commission is ready to begin accepting applications for the designation.

"The local landmark designation will give some status and recognition to a part of the history of Cape Girardeau," Schneider said. "Within this year we will certainly see some local landmark sites," he said.

The commission also will be investigating possible landmarks and ways to preserve them. For example, Schneider said the commission soon will begin an effort to preserve and restore Old Lorimier Cemetery. "The history of Cape Girardeau resides in that cemetery," he said. "The tombstones and grave sites, we hope can be restored. Saving old stone faces takes a lot of knowledge."

Historic districts

Under the ordinance, if a group of homeowners so desires, the group can apply to the commission to establish a historic district. The ordinance requires 75 percent of homeowners in the would-be district to agree.

"Setting up a district has been a concern for some property owners," said Martha Bender, a commission member. "But setting up a district is just another zoning apparatus; if the city zones an area as a historic district it doesn't mean any changes will be made to structures which are standing."

She said the commission would be consulted if a building were to be razed or if a new structure was being built in the district.

"If a person does want to put up a new structure, we would just look at the plans to see if it fits in with the design, height and style of the district," Bender said. "The ordinance really enables the homeowner and the building owner to protect their investment if they so desire."

Schneider said: "If you think your building or area has historical significance, you need to contact the Historic Preservation Commission. We will do whatever we can to expedite the process."

For information about the application process call 334-2065.

Survey

Another function of the commission is to survey the city in an attempt to locate historic sites and areas. Schneider said, "We will go through the city, street by street, site by site, to see what structures have significance relative to the history of the city."

Students in Southeast Missouri State University's historic-preservation program will work on the survey this summer. Arthur Mattingly, coordinator of the university program, said: "The commission has this as one of its high priority items. We do not have an idea about what needs to be saved or what we want to save if we don't know what we have."

Several years ago a portion of downtown Cape Girardeau was surveyed. The commission is using that information as a starting place and will begin this summer adding to it.

Mattingly said students will walk the streets looking at buildings and sites. They will take photographs and write information from a visual standpoint. Students will turn over the information to the commission to be evaluated.

Mattingly said this summer an area of about 12 to 18 blocks would be surveyed. "We do not have the staff or budget to conduct a large-scale survey," he said. "This summer we are just trying to begin. Hopefully additional money will be available to continue until we have done the entire city."

Advisory role

The commission is available to provide expertise and help in making changes appropriate to a particular building.

Bender said: "There has been some concern that we would hold a big stick. We all are property owners; we don't want anyone telling us what to do with our property. And we won't be attempting to do anything until the property owner wants it done.

"I don't see the position of commission to tell the landowner what they have to do or what they can't do," Bender said. "I see the commission as an instrument homeowners can go to for help in preservation and information on how to preserve the structure, the brick work, the windows and those sorts of elements.

"Being a local landmark doesn't mean a person can't change the property: add a porch, take the porch away, paint," said Bender. "Changes would be looked at by the commission, and we will probably work with the property owner to bring about changes that blend in best with the type of architecture."

Certified local government

One tangible benefit of the Historic Preservation Commission is the city's designation as a certified local government, Schneider said. Cape Girardeau is one of Missouri's 16 certified local governments. The National Historic Preservation Act established this nationwide program of financial and technical assistance for local governments.

Certified local governments must maintain a historic-preservation commission, survey local historic properties, enforce preservation laws and provide for public participation. In return, the cities receive special grants from state historic-preservation officers along with historic-preservation expertise, technical assistance and training from state historic-preservation officers.