Neighborhood development meeting to focus on identity and leadership

The second Neighborhood Development Initiative meeting in the Red Star neighborhood of Cape Girardeau's Ward 1 will focus on structuring the neighborhood's identity and finding community leaders.

The first meeting held in the neighborhood that stretches from Second Street to East Cape Rock Drive and spans east to west from Rand Street to Big Bend Road was held about a month ago and focused on identifying the key problems in the community.

Those in attendance -- about a dozen people -- said littering and poorly maintained property were among their chief concerns.

After hearing people discuss the biggest issues, city planner Ryan Shrimplin said the neighborhood seemed to be facing "a culture of apathy." Safety also was key, with many saying fear of violence kept them from reaching out to unknown neighbors about problems.

The problems come with solutions, but assistant city manager Molly Hood said real progress will come only if more people become involved in the process.

"[The Neighborhood Development Initiative] is a citizen-driven program, so if we don't have citizen engagement, it's not going to work," she said.

To reach as many people as possible before the meeting, Hood said about 600 postcards were delivered in the neighborhood. For those attending the meeting for the first time, she said a recap of the first meeting should help bring everyone up to speed.

The focus of the second meeting is to identify what participants believe the boundary of their neighborhood association should be -- the city suggested an initial boundary open to cuts or expansion -- and to choose a name for the association. Hood said neighborhood leaders also need to be identified to help organize and lead the group and work with the city on community issues.

Neighborhood associations may choose one or a few leaders, all of whom represent the group in a neighborhood steering committee, which meets with police officers and city staff to discuss and resolve community issues. Once more communities have formed neighborhood associations, Hood said, a neighborhood coalition would be formed to act as a voice for all the neighborhoods in the city.

"Long term, that coalition will become a powerful voice for neighborhoods in Cape Girardeau," she said.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. today at the Red Star Baptist Church Activity Center, 1316 N. Main St.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1316 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Want to go?

What: Neighborhood Development Initiative meeting

When: 6 p.m. tonight

Where: Red Star Baptist Activity Center, 1316 N. Main