MARQUETTE HOTEL MUST GO, COUNCIL DECLARES

It has been more than 20 years since anyone occupied the old Marquette Hotel, except for the occasional birds who still nest in the rafters. But even the birds will have to find new homes if the city demolishes the old hotel.

The Cape Girardeau City Council voted Monday night to begin condemnation of the property at the corner of Broadway and Fountain streets. If the process is complete, the building could be demolished within a year.

The Marquette Hotel has been a landmark in the city since it was constructed in 1928. The hotel was shut down in 1971 for safety reasons, and a Cape Girardeau businessman operated a piano shop on the first floor for another 10 years.

The property has been for sale for years, but no one has bought it.

Eugene Davis of Houston, Texas, had expressed interest in buying the building and opening a portion of the rooms as a hotel.

"I've never seen anyone more determined than this guy," said Shirley Gregory of Century 21 Ashland Realty, who has been working on the deal for nearly two years. "I've probably got all my commission tied up in phone bills," she said.

Davis is "on the verge of getting a loan" and the money necessary to restore the building, she said.

A padlock and chain keep the front doors of the building shut. Plywood pieces cover the spaces where windows have been broken out, but windows on some upper floors remain uncovered from the elements. A glimpse inside two front windows shows peeling paint, falling curtains and stacks of old furniture.

The building is in such disrepair that city officials say it must be demolished. But they would welcome restoration.

"Maybe in the process we can find a buyer," said Councilman Richard "Butch" Eggimann.

The city is in the midst of preparing for demolition of old St. Francis hospital on Good Hope Street. Demolition could begin by August.

The hospital was built in 1914 and vacated in 1976. The property was sold to Southeast Missouri State University, which used it for student housing until 1985.

When the city began a condemnation process, a buyer came forward. Phillips Development Corp., a Little Rock, Ark., company, plans to build four apartment buildings and a community building for laundry and office space on the old hospital site.

Condemning a building isn't a quick process, and neither is demolition, said Steve Williams, housing assistance coordinator for the city.

The city will do a title search to determine who owns the property. Then certified letters will be sent informing the owner of the city's intent to condemn.

After the letter is sent, a public notice will be published. The letter and notice will tell the owner he has 30 days to repair or demolish the building. On day 31, city staff will make another inspection of the site.

If the problems have been corrected, then the process is complete. If not, then two more hearings will be set and notices given. About the second hearing, the building supervisor will issue an order that says the owners have no less than 30 days to correct the problem or the building will be demolished.

But there can be delays, Williams said. "It takes awhile to get things going. We try to be reasonable when setting up a schedule."