Neighborhood group chooses name, boundaries, leaders

The second neighborhood association formed in Cape Girardeau as part of the Neighborhood Development Initiative has a new name.

After taking the issue to a vote, the nearly 20 people in attendance chose Red Star Neighborhood Revival as the group's new identity.

Choosing a name was one of the tasks on the agenda of the meeting Tuesday night. Also determined were the boundaries of the neighborhood association and the group leaders that would be its voice in meetings with the city and other neighborhood associations. Many in attendance acknowledged the need for organization, but were curious to know when steps would be taken to address community problems.

"This is kind of some housekeeping tonight, then we'll get to the meat of the problems," city planner Ryan Shrimplin said.

The biggest issues for those attending Tuesday night's meeting included littering and unkempt property, echoing concerns expressed at the first meeting in January. More than one person shared stories of picking up trash as they walked the neighborhood or noticing a property with an overgrown lawn.

City officials said these problems come with solutions and addressing them will become easier once the group has formed a more organized, uniform voice. Councilman Joe Uzoaru -- representative of Ward 1, in which the Red Star neighborhood resides -- called for more involvement in the community.

"I would like to see more engagement from citizens in this neighborhood," he said. "I would like to see citizens of this neighborhood get to know each other better. ..."

He said he was pleased to see new faces at the group's second meeting, many of whom said, by a show of hands, they were unaware of the first meeting. The city mailed out about 600 postcards in an effort to reach more people for the event.

When the neighborhood gathers for its next meeting March 3, it will have new leaders. John Gregory, Robert Loyd and Brian Allerding volunteered for the positions. Assistant city manager Molly Hood said the three would receive training on how to organize meetings and work with the city.

Loyd said the reason he volunteered for a leadership position is simple: He lives just a few doors down from a property he said shows significant -- and dangerous -- wear and tear. It's a problem he said needs to be brought to the city's attention.

Loyd is waiting to see how many of the local problems the neighborhood association can tackle, but said he believes it's on the right track.

"It's a good start," he said. "I don't know what's going to come of it, but I'm going to do my part, I can tell you that."

The group also voted to largely keep the boundaries for the neighborhood association initially proposed by the city.

Big Bend Road still marks the western boundary, but it was extended on the eastern side to the railroad tracks near the Mississippi River. Cape Rock Drive remains the boundary marker to the north, but those attending voted to extend the southern border to Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, saying they felt it was part of their neighborhood.

It was also agreed the group would regularly meet at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month and continue to gather 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.