Old federal building timeline

1957: Cape Girardeau and the federal government exchange properties with the city getting the Common Pleas Courthouse and the federal government getting the old post office building at 339 Broadway.

1967: The old post office is demolished.

1968: The federal building at 339 Broadway, which includes two courtrooms, opens.

1992: Initial plans for a new federal building include retaining the 339 Broadway structure for federal offices.

Aug. 23, 2000: County officials express interest in using the old federal building; city officials say they are not interested in using the structure.

April 1, 2005: County officials say they will try to get the General Services Administration to donate the old federal building to the county.

March 3, 2006: County and federal officials meet to discuss the possibility of donating the Broadway building.

April 23, 2007: County officials announce intent to get federal building to prevent it from being auctioned online.

August 2007: The county makes a first application for the building to be donated; the appeal is rejected by the U.S. Department of Justice for not being more specific in how the building will be used.

Dec. 12, 2007: Cape Girardeau County Commission agrees to set aside $12,500 to acquire the old federal building.

Jan. 12: Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri State University officials write a letter to the U.S. General Services Administration stating the city would like to be considered as the future owner of the building, but only if the county declines to take over the building.

February: County officials learn that the Rev. Larry Rice of the New Life Evangelistic Center has expressed interest in acquiring the building to use as a homeless shelter.

March 16: County commissioners send a second application to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for sponsorship to aid in getting the building donated.

April 6: U.S. Department of Justice rejects county's request.

-- Peg McNichol