OLD-TIME COVERED PAVILION SUGGESTED DOWNTOWN

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A turn-of-the-century style covered pavilion is one of the ideas suggested for a downtown Cape Girardeau project by the Downtown Merchants Association.

"This may be a `down the road' project for the association," said Evelyn Boardman, marketing director for the group. "There are other projects, which are more immediate."

One of these is the rose project along the flood wall.

Boardman's remarks came during an announcement that the association had raised more than $12,000 during its recent fund-raiser a Mardi Gras-theme auction and gala, held at the Riverview Banquet Center, 132 N. Main.

"We had a great turnout for the event," said Boardman. "More than 150 people were on hand for the auction of items donated by downtown merchants."

The auction featured about $16,000 worth of merchandise.

"We realized almost the full value of the items," she said. ""We had 36 items, which sold during a silent auction, and 60 items were auctioned off. Following the auction, a dance was held.

The event raised a record $12,718.

"This is the fourth year for a fund-raiser," said Boardman. "The previous high raised was $11,200."

The downtown fund-raiser was first held in 1988.

"We needed to replaced the Christmas decorations downtown," said Boardman. "The association has purchased thousands of dollars worth of the decorations since then, including Christmas lighting along the flood walls."

Last year, the Downtown Merchants Association adopted a riverfront landscaping project, involving construction of a rose bed along the flood wall.

"Some of this year's fund raising proceeds will go into the rose fund," said Boardman.

A downtown pavilion has been discussed previously, said Boardman, "but it's something the board would have to take a look at and approve."

The structure would be a permanent fixture on the parking lot, which runs along South Main Street, across from Hutson's Furniture Store.

"The covered pavilion would not lessen the parking," said Boardman. "In fact, people could park under the pavilion."

The pavilion could be used for a number of things a downtown farmers market, entertainment and other events, said Boardman.