Old Town Cape celebrates accomplishments, honors volunteers during 10th anniversary banquet

Chris Hutson remembers when Old Town Cape began July 1, 1999, but lacked an office for its director.

Ten years later, the organization has moved into its current space at 418 Broadway and brought the DREAM initiative to the city, where downtown economic development efforts have been infused with more than $2.6 million.

"We've come a long way," said Hutson, the organization's outgoing president.

Hutson and about 100 supporters of Old Town Cape gathered Thursday night at Marquette Tower to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a look back at notable accomplishments, a presentation of awards and recognition of an outgoing city leader.

Hutson said the accomplishments were a culmination of the work of visionaries.

"None of this could happen without the volunteers in this room," Hutson said. "And none of this could happen without a vision."

Among the accomplishments spotlighted were the Tunes at Twilight series that drew in 5,000 spectators in 2008, Old Town Cape establishing itself as a downtown advocate, volunteers who have logged 23,000 service hours since 2001 and grants to fund such projects as the Fountain Street extension and private renovation of the Schultz School into senior apartments.

Executive director Marla Mills said that, despite the accomplishments, the organization's best days are ahead.

"In a lot of ways, 10 years is young for an organization like ours," Mills said. "We have a lot of work to do, but it's a milestone."

During the awards presentation, Bill Shivelbine was named volunteer of the year. He has provided sound, setup, equipment and staff for all of the organization's events, including Tunes at Twilight, Libertyfest, DREAM open house and River Tales Classic car show.

Tom and Laura Hinkebein were presented with the Judith Ann Crow Residential Historic Preservation award for rehabilitating their home at 312 Independence St. The process of turning the 1904 building back from an apartment to a single-family residence began in 1998. Work included restoring fireplaces to working order, refurbishing porch columns and replacing a staircase that had been removed.

Kent Bratton was given the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award for his efforts in leading such downtown projects as the Fountain Street corridor, the riverfront trail, the Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse, the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, the Marquette Tower rehabilitation and Southeast Missouri State University River Campus.

The organization's board also recognized Doug Leslie, who is retiring as Cape Girardeau city manager.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628