OFFICIALS DISCUSS CAPITAL PROJECTS

City officials want to carry out about $83.8 million in capital improvements in Cape Girardeau by 2006, including fire and police station improvements, a new public works facility, water and sewer system upgrades, street construction and park renovations.

The only obstacle is finding the $83.8 million.

Officials and city staff met Monday night to look over proposed projects outlined in the city's capital improvements program for 2001 through 2006. Most of the projects looked familiar as the plan is updated yearly and many projects roll over from one year to the next.

The public will have an opportunity to speak to the Cape Girardeau City Council about the proposed capital improvements during a public hearing on Feb. 20.

The capital improvements program includes 124 projects that either have funding or could be funded. There is no guarantee, however, that the city will obtain the money needed for all proposed improvements.

The projects are divided into four categories -- transportation, environment, parks and community development.

About $35.7 million of the improvements fall into the environment category. Among these projects are sewer improvements, expansion of the water system production, treatment and distribution capacity, and completion of the Corps of Engineers' flood control project detention basin.

Transportation projects make up $26.7 million of the improvement plan. Proposed improvements include street and bridge projects and airport improvements such as security fencing, land acquisition and ramp replacement.

Airport land wanted

Airport Manager Bruce Loy said the city wants to purchase about 40 acres of land contiguous to the airport for commercial and industrial uses.

"There is some really nice corner acreage that we'd like to somehow, somewhere down the line acquire to allow us to expand that side of the airport," Loy said.

The city also would like to acquire land for sludge disposal. Currently, sludge is injected into farm land as fertilizer.

Public Works director Doug Leslie said Environmental Protection Agency rules regarding sludge disposal may become more restrictive, causing the city to look for alternative avenues for disposal.

"There are changing regulations in that field that compelled us to look for a contingency plan in the case that farmers would not be willing to take the sludge," Leslie said. "Regulations are in EPA hearings right now, and this is a contingency, depending on how restrictive those regulations become."

Proposed community development projects make up roughly $18.3 million of the plan. Included in this area are $3.6 million in improvements to the city's fire stations, $985,000 for a fire training center, $4.7 million for an addition to police headquarters, and $8.6 for a new public works facility.

Also included under community development are remodeling and installation of an elevator in City Hall.

Park needs included

Park and recreation projects make up the smallest part of the capital improvements plan, coming in at a little over $3 million. These projects include renovations at Fort D, construction of a new pro shop at the Municipal Golf Course, expansion of Riverfront Park and trail, and continued payment for land bought for additions to Shawnee Park and the purchase of Osage Park.

Officials expect funding for these projects to come from donations, operating revenues, reserves, general fund revenues, bonds, state and federal grants, motor fuel tax receipts, special assessments or a capital improvements sales tax.

The list of proposed capital improvement projects also includes 73 long-range projects that currently are unfunded. Among these projects are an aquatic center, historic preservation projects, water and sewer line extensions, citywide fire hydrant replacement, various road widening and improvements, an airport industrial park, and an expanded taxi coupon system or small, bus system.

The 2000-2005 capital improvements plan sought $75.8 million for projects, and the 1999-2004 plan proposed $80.5 million in improvements.

PROPOSED CAPE GIRARDEAU CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2001-2006*

Project Total Cost

Transportation

Street, curb and gutter repair $1,687,500

Sidewalk repair and reconstruction $450,000

New sidewalk construction $135,000

Street lights (new installations and upgrades) $1,350,000

Lorimier: Morgan Oak to new Highway 74 $264,800

Siemers Drive: Widening and traffic signals, William Street to Bloomfield Road $1,561,000

Broadway widening and improvement, Perry Avenue to Houck Place $1,957,000

Mount Auburn widening and improvement, William Street to Bloomfield Road $1,117,000

Lexington Trace, phases I and II, trail and sidewalk construction $742,615

Airport land acquisition $516,000

Environment

Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project $1,100,000

Sloan Creek relief sewer $1,770,000

Ranchito/Arena watershed relief sewer $1,510,000

Land acquisition for sludge program $450,000

Water storage tank rehabilitation (eight tanks) $284,250

Fire hydrant replacement $300,000

Water system seismic protection $428,400

North Sprigg water extension $154,900

Water meter replacement program $210,000

Storm sewer along Highway 74 $60,000

Parks and Recreation

General park development $325,000

Capaha Park shelter replacement $15,000

Shawnee Park soccer and football fields $200,000

Arena Park parking lot $90,000

Washington Park basketball court $15,000

Fort D renovations $50,000

Golf course club house $500,000

Youth baseball field improvements $202,000

Hopper Road trail system $7,500

Riverfront Trail and Riverfront Park expansion $1,550,000

Community Development

Police Department annex $4,685,000

Fire Station No. 1 office and dormitory renovation $8,300

Fire Station No. 3 relocation $1,769,620

Fire Station No. 4 relocation $1,230,900

New Fire Station No. 5 $105,600

Regional fire training center $985,100

City Hall remodeling, main floor $15,700

City Hall elevator $157,100

City Hall roof repair, replacement $66,000

Public works facility $8,554,850

* List does not include every project in the 2001-2006 plan.