`LANDLOCKED': CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL CONSIDER A NEW SITE FOR HEADQUARTERS HERE

Visibility, access and parking are three major factors for selecting a site to headquarter the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

"Number one on that list is visibility," said Harry Rediger, who recently assumed duties as chairman of the chamber's board of directors. "We are looking seriously for a new chamber location and visibility is a critical factor."

Rediger added that the current location, 601 N. Kingshighway, is not a bad location, but that the chamber is "landlocked."

"We don't have room to expand the building," said Rediger. "Access is difficult and parking is scarce."

A facilities committee has been named as the chamber looks to only its second move in more than a half century.

Larry Payne is chairman of the committee. Joining Payne on the committee are Harry Rust, Judy Wilferth, John Mehner, Johnny Ray Conklin, Dorothy Klein and Bev Estes.

"We don't have any sites in mind yet," said Rediger. "We're just getting started, but we wanted to start moving on this project in 1993."

Rediger said the group had looked at one building on South Kingshighway. .

"We have others we will look at," said Rediger. "We'll be considering sites along North Kingshighway and the west part of the city."

Rediger said a new building is not out of the question. "If we can't find a suitable existing building, it may be feasible to build a new one," he said.

The current chamber office occupies space in a building originally constructed for a physician, who vacated the structure in 1974 to move to Doctors Park.

Following renovation and remodeling, the chamber moved into the building in late 1974, from a location at 225 Broadway, where the chamber had been located 46 years.

The chamber has agreed to house the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association office.

"We have agreed to provide free space for the association and support staff for the a new group," said Rediger. Plans call for about 144 square feet for the association office and 100 square feet for the support staff.

"We will also offer to house the Convention & Visitors Bureau," said Rediger. "There is a another proposal for housing for the CVB, which may be to more advantage for that group."

Rediger added that plans for a new chamber facility would include the motor vehicle license bureau, which now falls under the chamber.

"The license bureau is a governmental appointment," said Rediger. "With a new governor this year, it may change. But, we want to have the flexibility to keep it."