IT'S ALL UPHILL

Getting state funding for Southeast Missouri State University to turn a former Catholic seminary into the School for Visual and Performing Arts is easier said than done.

"It is not going to be an easy thing," said state Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau.

State lawmakers are interested in securing funding for projects in their districts. "Everybody fights for their piece of the pie," she said.

She and other lawmakers said some local funding is essential if the university is to make a case for state aid for the project.

Southeast wants to spend about $35 million to renovate the aging brick buildings of St. Vincent's College and Seminary and build a new 90,000-square-foot structure that would include a 1,000-seat performance hall.

University officials said at least half of that cost could come from the state. The local share could come from private donations and possibly a motel tax or sales tax.

One option would be for city voters to approve a bond issue and raise the motel tax.

Southeast Missouri legislators said they would push for state funding for the project in the 1999 legislative session.

They said the university's funding request would be strengthened if it receives the backing of Gov. Mel Carnahan.

"If the governor makes the request, you are pretty much in good shape," said Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence.

Don Dickerson, president of Southeast's Board of Regents, is a close friend of Carnahan.

State Rep. Denny Merideth, an independent from Caruthersville, said the university benefits from such friendship.

"That helps a whole bunch," he said.

Dickerson said he and other Southeast officials plan to brief the governor about the project in the next 30 days.

Carnahan's budget plans for next year won't begin to take shape until October, he said.

Merideth said the university's funding request would be strengthened if voters approve a local tax measure.

He welcomed the university's plan to develop the former seminary into Southeast's River Campus.

"It is a fantastic opportunity." he said. "I am so excited about it."

But Merideth acknowledged that securing state funding for capital improvement projects is never easy. "Any time you go with capital improvements funding, it is going to be an uphill battle," he said.

State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said area lawmakers have a lot of work to do to secure state money for the project.

But Kinder said it is worth the effort: "There isn't another school in this state that has a portion of its campus perched overlooking the Mississippi River."

Kinder said key lawmakers may be invited to tour the site this fall. A first-hand look could make a difference in selling the Legislature on the project, he said.

Kinder said it isn't likely that Southeast could secure $17.5 million for the project in the next legislative session. More likely, any state funding for the project probably would be done in phases.

Kinder said he hopes private funding could provide the local match.

Cape Girardeau resident B.W. Harrison gave $800,000 in stock to the university. The university is using some of the proceeds from the sale of the stock to purchase the seminary property.

Kinder said Harrison's generosity could spark financial donations from others.

SEMINARY FAST FACTS:

Q: How will students get from Southeast Missouri State University's main campus to its new River Campus?

A: The university is looking at running its shuttle buses between the two campuses. The shuttle route might include a downtown stop. There is even talk of expanding the shuttle system to help serve the community.

Q: Is there adequate parking for the River Campus?

A: The university wants to provide at least 500 parking spaces on the 13.5-acre tract. Southeast plans to have several parking areas rather than a large, single lot. The idea is to preserve as much green space as possible.

Q: Will establishment of a school of visual and performing arts require academic reorganization?

A: Yes. The departments of art, music, theatre and the dance program, along with the University Museum, would be moved out of the College of Liberal Arts. The new school would have its own dean.

Q: Will the departmental moves free up space on the main campus?

A: Yes. The university currently is looking at ways to use the existing art and music buildings and academic space now used for the school's dance program and theater department.

Q: Why does Southeast wants to build a 1,000-seat performance hall?

A: It would allow the university to bring in traveling Broadway shows and orchestras, as well as provide space for student productions and performances.

Q: What would happen to the 500-seat Rose Theatre on the main campus?

A: It would continue to be used for small performances.