Making Old Town New

Revitalizing a downtown district takes more than enthusiasm.

Just ask Dr. Tom Lawson, Poplar Bluff's city administrator. In Poplar Bluff, downtown merchants were enthused to be part of Missouri's Main Street program in 1990, but the business owners didn't buy into the big picture and now downtown shopping is almost non-existent.

Or ask Marsha Dark, the project manager of Clinton Main Street Inc. Downtown business and property owners in the 1980s felt threatened by new commercial development on the fringes of this Missouri town located about 35 miles southwest of Sedalia. With cooperation, collective vision and financial commitments made by businesses, the downtown area is now lined with new lighting, landscaping and brick crosswalks. All of Clinton's downtown stores are occupied as sales and property values have increased substantially since the town became a Main Street community in 1989.

Now, Cape Girardeau's Main Street organization, Old Town Cape, is facing a meaningful period. Old Town Cape is a volunteer-driven organization that provides educational and organizational revitalization support to the downtown business district.

Old Town Cape executive director Catherine Dunlap has been on the job two years next month, laying much of the groundwork for downtown improvement and trying to get business leaders and city leaders on the same page. Later this month, Dunlap, the Old Town Cape Board of Directors and a state advisor will meet to lay out a five-year plan.

Dunlap said the board will try to develop a plan that will best compliment the downtown area's major upcoming projects:

the Marquette Hotel renovation into state offices

the completion of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge

the new federal building

the proposed Southeast Missouri State University river campus for performing arts

It appears that the pieces are in place for a downtown turnaround, and many downtown people show enthusiasm. But ultimately the future of downtown, or at least the success of the Main Street program, will depend on putting enthusiasm into action, said Randy Gray, the Missouri Main Street coordinator.

Typically, Main Street programs have their most visible improvements within five to 10 years of starting, Gray said. The state's involvement in any program is only to provide techniques and strategies. Downtown revitalization is an ongoing effort, and it's up to the local communities to raise the money to carry out those strategies, Gray said.

Both Dunlap and board of directors president Ted Coalter say they have been impressed with the financial backing and the volunteer efforts in the first two years.

"Things are going very, very well," Coalter said. "You've got to crawl before you walk. What we've got is people breaking doors down saying 'What can I do?' That's the thing we have that Poplar Bluff didn't have. The support isn't just coming from downtown, but all over Cape. They see the value of downtown and we're thankful they feel that way."

Dunlap said she is thrilled with the financial backing of private businesses. Since November 2000, private businesses have spent $17 on their properties for every dollar donated to Old Town Cape. She considers this an impressive ratio, since few incentives have been offered yet. She said a mature Main Street program averages $25 per $1 donation.

Two businesses in particular stand out in Dunlap's mind as pioneers of Old Town Cape's vision. Dunlap said she was able to provide some consulting help for Renaissance and Lang Jewelers, which have both been remodeled to bring back the historical features of their buildings.

Dunlap said she hopes others follow suit, especially since a group of 10 Southeast Missouri State University students volunteered to develop guidelines for improving facades for the historic buildings downtown. This project is in the final editing process as Old Town Cape works in conjunction with the city's Historic Preservation Commission.

Old Town Cape received good news this week as Gov. Bob Holden announced $101,970 in tax credits for those who donate to Old Town Cape as part of the Neighborhood Assistance Program. Dunlap said it is a 50-percent tax credit, meaning a business could donate $2,000 and receive a $1,000 tax credit later.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

OLD TOWN CAPE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Old Town Cape, like all of the Missouri Main Street Communities, breaks down its objectives in four categores: design, economic restructuring, organization and promotions. here is a list of Old Town Cape's accomplishments over the last two years in eac cagegory.DESIGN

Design guidelines: A group of 10 students from Southeast Missouri State University helped to develop guidelines for improving facades of historic buildings. This project is in its final edit while Old Town Cape considers the designs with the Cape Girardeau Historical Preservation Commission.

Web page: The new Web site, www.oldtowncape.org has a historic walking tour on it, information about the organization and board of directors. In the future, the Web site will include a listing of all the district's vacant properties.

Fountain Street Corridor: A route that would connect the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge with downtown is in the preliminary engineering stage. Once this is done, Old Town Cape can apply for grant money to help pay for the project.

Private reinvestment: Since November 2000, private businesses have spent more than $1.8 million on improving their properties in the Old Town Cape district. For every dollar that has been donated to Old Town Cape, private business owners have invested $17 in their properties.ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

New businesses/jobs: Since November 2000, a net total of five new businesses have been started. This has created 86 new jobs for the district.

Business workshops: Old Town Cape partnered with the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce to offer businesses the same discounted rate as chamber members for the Passions for Service workshop.ORGANIZATION

Volunteer of the Year: Steve Gerard was named 2001 Volunteer of the Year for his work on the RiverWalkers Promotion.

Volunteer help: Volunteers have donated more than 3,000 hours of their time to Old Town Cape since November 2000.

Night on Old Town Cape: A progressive dinner in four downtown restaurants raised $600 for the organization.

Fundraising: Board members have raised about $6,000 from businesses in the Old Town Cape District.

Ornaments: Christmas ornament sales have raised more than $4,000.

Partnerships: Since November 2001, Old Town Cape has partnered with the following organizations: City of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University, chamber of commerce, Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, City of Roses Music Festival, City of Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Merchants' Association, the city of Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Program and the Missouri Department of Economic Development Main Street Program.PROMOTIONS

50 Fabulous Features: More than 300 people entered a contest describing 50 fabulous features of Old Town Cape.

Tunes at Twilight: More than 800 people attended Tunes at Twilight during the two six-week series of local music.

Fireworks: More than 5,000 people attended a fireworks celebration on the bank of the Mississippi River.

RiverWalkers: On average, about 10 to 12 people attend a weekly group walk through the district.

Drill team: A new set of ambassadors that makes appearances at various events.

Move-in day: Eight businesses helped at the Southeast Missouri State University student move-in day.