NEW SIGNS HELP MAKE CITY USER-FRIENDLY; MARKER TO ASSIST VISITORS

Cape Girardeau wants the reputation of being a user-friendly city.

Toward that end, a group of blue-and-white, easy-to-read directional signs have been installed in key locations to inform visitors of points of interest throughout the city.

The markers, 23 in the city and four giant signs along Interstate 55, will guide visitors to Southeast Missouri State University and the Show Me Center.

Information on the markers in the city gives directions to the Mississippi River waterfront, a number of city parks and facilities.

The project involves a partnership between the Missouri Department of Transportation, the university, city and a number of local organizations.

"This is a great day for transportation in the city of Cape Girardeau," said Scott Meyer, district engineer for the department, during a brief dedication ceremony at one of the new signs Monday afternoon.

Meyer, Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and Southeast Missouri State University director of public safety Doug Richards were speakers at the dedication, held across from Capaha Park near the Broadway-West End Boulevard intersection.

"This is a pilot project," said Meyer. "It is the first time we have combined with a city and a university for directional signs for popular area attractions."

The purpose of the signs, said Meyer, is to move people from Point A to Point B quickly and safely.

The total cost of the project is about $20,000.

"This includes four Interstate 55 signs informing people how to reach the university and the Show Me Center," said Meyer. "It also includes the 23 signs inside the city."

"This is the culmination of a three-year project," said Richards.

"Most of the complaints we received are those of motorists trying to find the Show Me Center or other university offices," said Richards. The new signs, said Richards, will be a big asset for Cape Girardeau.

"People will know where to go," said Spradling. "It's a good addition to the city, and the signs are beautiful."

Spradling commended everyone involved for their cooperation.

The cooperative program was first discussed about three years ago. It received the approval of transportation department in February 1996.

Southeast Missouri State University representatives first contacted the department about the project. The project received support from the university's Board of Regents; the Downtown Merchants Association; Chamber of Commerce's surface transportation committee; the city of Cape Girardeau and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Representatives of most of the groups were on hand for the Monday dedication.

"It's just a great day," said Mary Miller, director of the convention bureau. "Once the project received MoDOT approval, everything fell into place. We're thrilled. It's win-win situation for everyone involved."

Stan Johnson, a traffic operation engineer for the state, said earlier that the state will use the Cape Girardeau project to gauge public reaction to the new sign format.

The final interstate sign was installed Monday.

The university paid the lion's share of the sign costs, about $14,500 including the interstate signs. The city's cost was about $1,000. That leaves about $4,500 as the department's cost.