LaSalle Avenue project a first for new street, mixed-use concept

A development planned for the north part of the city will provide two firsts for Cape Girardeau: the first actual construction on the new LaSalle Avenue as well as the first to incorporate a new mixed-use philosophy by city planners.

Construction is slated to start this spring on the $5.5 million Baldwin Place, a duplex subdivision on the south side of LaSalle Avenue, the highly touted artery road constructed just off Interstate 55 for people to access the city from the north. The roadway was completed in August, and economic developers said they expect to see more development in the immediate future.

Developer Dutch Meyr's plans call for 16 lots and 32 residential units that will rent for $950 to $1,250 a month. The Cape Girardeau City Council last week approved Meyr's request to rezone the property on the west side of the connecting Baldwin Drive for multifamily residential purposes. Other nearby sections on the corners of LaSalle and Baldwin that Meyr owns were rezoned to allow for future commercial growth.

Meyr said no plans for commercial developments are firm, but some possibilities include a bank, a service station or other type of retail center. There are even preliminary discussions for a senior housing complex, similar to what was done with the old Louis J. Schultz School.

He said he has held discussions with people interested in several ideas.

"Honestly, I'm doing this duplex subdivision so people can see that something's happening here on LaSalle," said Meyr, who owns Fruitland American Meat. "There are a lot of people talking to me, and there is a lot of interest."

Meyr's corporation, Fruitland Livestock Market Inc., bought up land along LaSalle three decades ago when he was a teacher and coach at Southeast Missouri State University. Five years ago, he bought more, including the property where his current development is going.

But he said it wasn't because of any foresight on his part.

"No, it was just luck," he said.

The development also is the first example of a strict mixed-use development in Cape Girardeau, said assistant city manager Ken Eftink, who also heads the city's development services division. The city's future land-use map calls for mixed use in that area, he said. That mix can be commercial and residential.

He said Meyr's development offers a "pretty good fit in what we had in mind in the future land-use map," which is a part of the city's comprehensive plan. Having small commercial developments near residential areas allows residents to be much closer to certain goods and services, he said.

"They can walk to where they need to go," Eftink said. "Not that they have to walk, but at least they wouldn't have to drive as far. I think as LaSalle develops over time, we'll see more of this. We'll see commercial developments close to residential areas."

And LaSalle Avenue is primed for development, said Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce president John Mehner. He pointed out its proximity to I-55 is a big draw and that's it near both Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

"Developments like this are good for the city," Mehner said. "The construction will create jobs, and then the businesses will create more jobs. It would be great to have more development from Center Junction all the way to there."

Mayor Harry Rediger called the Meyr development a "first shot of development" along LaSalle Avenue. He said LaSalle was built to help traffic north of town as well as spur new development, both commercial and residential.

"It's very important to get that jump-started in that area," he said.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

LaSalle Avenue, Cape Girardeau, MO